Principal network engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a principal network engineer. Principal network engineers usually study electrical engineering, computer science, or business. 70% of principal network engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 371 real principal network engineer resumes to see exactly what principal network engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for principal network engineers are the Strayer University and the Strayer University.

There are also many online principal network engineer courses to help get the education required to be a principal network engineer.

What education do you need to become a principal network engineer?

What degree do you need to be a principal network engineer?

The most common degree for principal network engineers is bachelor's degree, with 70% of principal network engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 14% and master's degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 70%

Master's, 14%

Associate, 12%

Doctorate, 1%

Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a principal network engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a principal network engineer. 24% of principal network engineers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a principal network engineer include computer science and business.

Electrical Engineering, 24%

Computer Science, 15%

Business, 9%

Computer Information Systems, 8%

Other Majors, 44%

Most common colleges for principal network engineers

Principal network engineers often get their degrees at Strayer University, University of Maryland - College Park, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for principal network engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Principal network engineer common college	Percentages
Strayer University	13.51%
University of Maryland - College Park	9.46%
University of Phoenix	8.11%
Northeastern University	8.11%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	6.76%

Show more common principal network engineer colleges

Best majors for principal network engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	23.7%
2	Computer Science	14.9%
3	Business	9.2%
4	Computer Information Systems	8.3%
5	Information Technology	7.0%

Show more common principal network engineer majors

Best colleges for principal network engineers

The best colleges for principal network engineers are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A principal network engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for principal network engineers. 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 principal network engineers.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

3. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

4. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

5. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,785

Enrollment

7,711

6. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

7. Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$40,749

Enrollment

2,582

8. Texas A&M University

College Station, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$11,870

Enrollment

53,194

9. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

10. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$19,080

Enrollment

19,127

20 best online courses for principal network engineers

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3. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

4.1

(314)

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4. Computer Networks Foundations - Best Starter Course [2023]

4.5

(444)

Learn foundations of computer network systems in a simplified manner...

5. Linux for Network Engineers: Practical Linux with GNS3

4.6

(4,430)

Linux for Networking Engineers (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE etc). Practical Linux with GNS3 = network programmability & automation...

6. Microsoft Networking Fundamentals

4.7

(2,515)

Learn Windows-based networking, network management tools, DNS, TCP/IP, network protocols and much more!...

7. Cisco ASA Firewall Training

4.3

(617)

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8. Computer Networking Fundamentals

4.2

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Learn all about the basics of computer networking fundamental concepts and network security concepts...

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4.6

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Use this course to cover your Computer Networking basics!...

10. Fundamentals of Network Engineering

4.7

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4.8

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The Physical Side of Computer Networking; Wire Ethernet Cables from Scratch and Master the Fundamentals of RJ-45 Ports...

15. Python Network Programming for Network Engineers (Python 3)

4.7

(8,322)

Program networks using Python version 3. Learn network programmability with this practical GNS3 and Cisco course...

16. General Networking - wireless, routers, firewalls, Cisco NAS

4.4

(740)

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4.5

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18. GCP - Google Cloud Professional Cloud Network Engineer

4.4

(615)

Pass Google Cloud Professional Network Certification with 15+ Hours of HD quality video and 90+ Hands-on Practical labs...

19. Networking Concepts with Socket Programming - Academic Level

4.6

(732)

Networking course with socket programming concepts in depth with TCP/UDP/HTTP Socket Programming for beginners to expert...

20. Networking Essentials

4.5

(618)

Gain the essential knowledge and skills required to configure, troubleshoot, manage and protect a data network...

Top 10 most affordable universities for principal network engineers

The most affordable schools for principal network engineers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.

If the best universities for principal network engineers 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 principal network engineers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

6. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV • Private

In-state tuition

$7,464

Cost of attendance

17,166

9. National University College - Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$6,675

Cost of attendance

12,941

10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for principal network engineers

The hardest universities for principal network engineers to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for principal network engineers 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 principal network engineers 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. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

4. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,517

8. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

9. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for principal network engineers

The easiest schools for principal network engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a principal network engineer 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 principal network engineers.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

3. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

4. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,107

5. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

6. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,068

7. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

957

8. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

9. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average principal network engineer salary by education level

According to our data, principal network engineers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $123,150 annually. Principal network engineers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $119,671.

Principal network engineer education level	Principal network engineer salary
Master's Degree	$123,150
High School Diploma or Less	$109,341
Bachelor's Degree	$119,671
Some College/ Associate Degree	$110,478

Principal network engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Principal Network Engineers?

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

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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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