Noc operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a noc operator. Noc operators usually study computer science, computer information systems, or computer networking. 44% of noc operators hold a bachelor's degree, and 42% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 275 real noc operator resumes to see exactly what noc operator education sections show.

The most common colleges for noc operators are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.

There are also many online noc operator courses to help get the education required to be a noc operator.

There are certain noc operator certifications that you should consider. These noc operator certifications include Security 5 Certification and Network 5 Certification.

What education do you need to become a noc operator?

What degree do you need to be a noc operator?

The most common degree for noc operators is bachelor's degree, with 44% of noc operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 42% and associate degree degree at 5%.

Bachelor's, 44%

Associate, 42%

Diploma, 5%

Master's, 4%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a noc operator?

You should major in computer science to become a noc operator. 18% of noc operators major in computer science. Other common majors for a noc operator include computer information systems and computer networking.

Computer Science, 18%

Computer Information Systems, 14%

Computer Networking, 10%

Information Technology, 9%

Other Majors, 49%

Most common colleges for noc operators

Noc operators often get their degrees at DeVry University, University of Phoenix, and Des Moines. Here are the most common colleges for noc operators in the US based on their resumes.

Noc operator common college	Percentages
DeVry University	11.11%
University of Phoenix	8.33%
Des Moines	8.33%
Salisbury University	5.56%
Northeastern University	5.56%

Show more common noc operator colleges

Best majors for noc operators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	18.1%
2	Computer Information Systems	14.2%
3	Computer Networking	10.3%
4	Information Technology	9.0%
5	Business	8.4%

Show more common noc operator majors

Best colleges for noc operators

The best colleges for noc operators are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St Louis.

A noc operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for noc operators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become noc operators.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

5. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

6. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

7. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$19,080

Enrollment

19,127

8. Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,646

Enrollment

5,736

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$53,399

Enrollment

7,356

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

20 best online courses for noc operators

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16. Basic Computer Course - Windows 7/10 - IT & Desktop Support

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Top 10 most affordable universities for noc operators

The most affordable schools for noc operators are Brigham Young University, baruch college of the city university of new york, and university of puerto rico - mayaguez.

If the best universities for noc operators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for noc operators.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$7,879

Cost of attendance

21,223

8. Trident University International

Cypress, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,240

Cost of attendance

17,912

9. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

10. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for noc operators

The hardest universities for noc operators to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St Louis.

Some great schools for noc operators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for noc operators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

7. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for noc operators

The easiest schools for noc operators to get into are Capitol Technology University, linfield college, and ottawa university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a noc operator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for noc operators.

1. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

2. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

3. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

4. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

5. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

6. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

7. Portland State University

Portland, OR • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,111

8. Illinois State University

Normal, IL • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,122

9. Baker University

Baldwin City, KS • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,126

10. Cleary University

Howell, MI • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,039

Average noc operator salary by education level

Noc operators with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $51,948 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, noc operators earn a median annual income of $49,591 compared to $43,569 for noc operators with an Associate degree.

Noc operator education level	Noc operator salary
Master's Degree	$51,948
High School Diploma or Less	$42,844
Bachelor's Degree	$49,591
Some College/ Associate Degree	$43,569

Noc operator education FAQs

What is the best college for NOC Operators?

Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.

Search for noc operator jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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