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Senior computer operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior computer operator. Senior computer operators usually study computer science, business, or computer information systems. 42% of senior computer operators hold a associate degree, and 35% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 3,781 real senior computer operator resumes to see exactly what senior computer operator education sections show.

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

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

What education do you need to become a senior computer operator?

What degree do you need to be a senior computer operator?

The most common degree for senior computer operators is associate degree, with 42% of senior computer operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 35% and bachelor's degree degree at 9%.
  • Associate, 42%
  • Bachelor's, 35%
  • High School Diploma, 9%
  • Diploma, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a senior computer operator?

You should major in computer science to become a senior computer operator. 22% of senior computer operators major in computer science. Other common majors for a senior computer operator include business and computer information systems.

Most common colleges for senior computer operators

Senior computer operators often get their degrees at DeVry University, St. Louis, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for senior computer operators in the US based on their resumes.
Senior computer operator common collegePercentages
DeVry University12.07%
St. Louis9.77%
University of Phoenix6.32%
Henry Ford College5.75%
University of Houston5.75%

Best majors for senior computer operators

Best colleges for senior computer operators

The best colleges for senior computer operators are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A senior computer 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 senior computer 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 senior computer operators.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

7. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,530

Enrollment

4,571

20 best online courses for senior computer operators

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1. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems

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Get ready to enter the thriving field of Information Technology (IT), with job ready skills! This beginner friendly course provides the core hardware and operating system knowledge needed by anyone new to IT and computer hardware who wants to start a new career in technology, including IT Support, Networking, Cybersecurity, and Software Development. You will first be introduced to computing fundamentals, the four functions of computing, and the benefits of computing. You will become...

2. Computer Hardware and Software

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This course provides foundational understanding of how computers process information through hardware and software. You will investigate the world of Information Technology (IT) and survey hardware components, mobile devices, operating systems, programs and apps, network fundamentals, the Internet, and touch on security and ethics...

3. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

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4.1
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4. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 2

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4.7
(1,078)

Learn memory management in operating systems as operating system forms the core of computer science...

5. Introduction to Enterprise Computing

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Large Scale Enterprise Computing powers all major transactions, and the Mainframe is responsible for 87% of all credit card transactions and enables 71% of all Fortune 500 companies. Mainframes are fundamental on how we do business, and IBM Z is the only production mainframe sold today. Virtually everyone depends on it. This is your introduction to the hardware, operating systems, security, and features that make this possible. On successful completion of this course, learners are eligible to...

6. Embedded Hardware and Operating Systems

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This course is intended for the Bachelor and Master's students, who like practical programming and making IoTs applications! In this course, we will talk about two components of a cyber-physical system, namely hardware and operating systems. After completing this course, you will have knowledge of both hardware components and operating systems. You are able to plan and use embedded operating systems in resource-constraint devices for Internet-of-Things (cyber-physical system) applications. In...

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

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Basic computer course with troubleshooting skills -computer hardware and computer networking, for IT support technicians...

8. The Complete Job Control Language (JCL) Course.

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Mainframe JCL Procedures, SORT, GDGs, Libraries, Utilities such as IEBCOPY, IEBGENER etc are explained in detail...

9. The Complete Computer Basics Guide for Beginners: 2023

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10. Build Your Own Custom Computer!

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Learn everything you need to know about computers including how to do your own troubleshooting!...

11. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support

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Learn the basic fundamentals of computer networking & OSI model for desktop support and IT service desk technicians...

12. Mainframe CICS Developer Training By Anil Polsani

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13. Cloud Computing for Beginners - Infrastructure as a Service

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Learn the Technology, Concept and Market Use Cases of Infrastructure as a Service Model in Public Cloud Computing...

14. Operating Systems Part 3: Synchronization and Deadlock

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Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

15. Computer Literacy & Basic Computer Skills for Productivity

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Enhance Productivity With This Basic Computer Course: An Introduction To Computers, Microsoft Windows, & the Apple Mac...

16. Computer Architecture and Computer Organization Masterclass

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Full Program: Computer Organization, Computer Architecture, Instruction Set, CPU, Memory Hierarchy (FREE Lecture Notes)...

17. Cloud Computing and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Fundamentals

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Examine the Key Principles of Cloud Computing including Service Models, Deployment Models, & Foundations of AWS...

18. Operating Systems Final Part (4): File Systems & Threads

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Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

19. How to Build a Computer from Scratch: Complete Blueprint

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Create your own custom-built PC, follow me as I show you how to build a computer from various parts! Comprehensive guide...

20. The Complete Computer Basics Course: Become a Power User

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Basic Computer Course - IT Support - Computer Fundamentals - Desktop Support - Basic Computer Skills...

Top 10 most affordable universities for senior computer operators

The most affordable schools for senior computer operators are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for senior computer 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 senior computer operators.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

10. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior computer operators

The hardest universities for senior computer operators to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for senior computer 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 senior computer 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,415

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior computer operators

The easiest schools for senior computer operators to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, barry university, and nyack college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior computer 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 senior computer operators.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

4. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

10. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

Average senior computer operator salary by education level

Senior computer operators with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $53,371 annually. With a Doctorate degree, senior computer operators earn a median annual income of $51,887 compared to $49,173 for senior computer operators with an Bachelor's degree.
Senior computer operator education levelSenior computer operator salary
Master's Degree$53,371
High School Diploma or Less$42,679
Bachelor's Degree$49,173
Doctorate Degree$51,887
Some College/ Associate Degree$42,508

Senior computer operator education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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