Post job

Senior network support engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior network support engineer. Senior network support engineers usually study electrical engineering, computer science, or business. 63% of senior network support engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 253 real senior network support engineer resumes to see exactly what senior network support engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for senior network support engineers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

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

What education do you need to become a senior network support engineer?

What degree do you need to be a senior network support engineer?

The most common degree for senior network support engineers is bachelor's degree, with 63% of senior network support engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 18% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 63%
  • Associate, 18%
  • Master's, 9%
  • Diploma, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a senior network support engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a senior network support engineer. 22% of senior network support engineers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a senior network support engineer include computer science and business.

Most common colleges for senior network support engineers

Senior network support engineers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of Massachusetts - Lowell, and DeVry University. Here are the most common colleges for senior network support engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Senior network support engineer common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix13.89%
University of Massachusetts - Lowell8.33%
DeVry University8.33%
New York University8.33%
Stonehill College5.56%

Best majors for senior network support engineers

Best colleges for senior network support engineers

The best colleges for senior network support engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

A senior network support 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 senior network support 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 senior network support engineers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

4. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

6. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

9. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

10. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

20 best online courses for senior network support engineers

Advertising disclosure

1. Network Support Fundamentals

coursera

Dive into the realm of network support with the Network Support Fundamentals course. This online course is meticulously designed to introduce you to the essential skills needed for supporting enterprise networks - one of the most in-demand skill sets in the digital landscape. By the end of this course you will be able to explain network security basics, monitor network performance, and provide essential professional support. Ideal for beginners aiming for an entry-level IT career or current IT...

2. Network Security Support Fundamentals

coursera

Explore network security with the Network Security Support Fundamentals online course. Designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of network security, this course is crucial in today's digital world. By the end of this course, you will be able to describe the role of enterprise networks, explain enterprise network security basics, and understand network security operations. Perfect for beginners aiming for a cybersecurity career or professionals looking to enhance their skill set, this...

3. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support

udemy
4
(409)

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

4. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

udemy
4.1
(314)

For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...

5. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp

udemy
4.5
(1,653)

Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...

6. Cisco ASA Firewall Training

udemy
4.3
(617)

This course will cover functionality , setup, configuration, troubleshooting and Failover of Cisco ASA Firewall...

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

udemy
4.4
(740)

Port forwarding? Dynamic DNS? Home NAS Server? Slow Wireless? Learn how to fix your home nework. Includes 802.11ac!...

8. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting

udemy
4.2
(1,443)

Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk , Helpdesk , IT Support , System Administration and IT...

9. CCNA Security Real World Labs - Cisco ASA, Network Security

udemy
4.4
(359)

Identify, lock down, and secure vulnerabilities in a small to medium enterprise branch network - real world training...

10. Master Class: TCP/IP Mechanics from Scratch to Expert

udemy
4.7
(798)

Networking Course, UDP, TCP IP protocol Suite, Flow and Congestion Control, CCNA and others, TCP/IP Complete Course...

11. GCP - Google Cloud Professional Cloud Network Engineer

udemy
4.4
(615)

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

12. Networking Concepts with Socket Programming - Academic Level

udemy
4.6
(732)

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

13. Fundamentals of Network Engineering

udemy
4.7
(2,316)

Understanding the first principles of networking to build low latency and high throughput backends...

14. Cisco ASA Firewall & VPNs: Beginner to Advanced

udemy
4.4
(250)

You will get extensive hands-on experience deploying Cisco ASA 9.x and VPN's...

15. IT Support Technical Skills Helpdesk

udemy
4.7
(1,561)

Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Learners...

16. Microsoft Networking Fundamentals

udemy
4.7
(2,515)

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

17. TCP/IP Training Video A Definitive & Easy To Follow Course

udemy
4.3
(906)

Essential TCP/IP Training Course For Professionals Who Manages Servers, Networks Or Any Other Network Connected Device...

18. Virtual Private Networks for beginners - VPN, Cisco training

udemy
4.2
(1,671)

Learn how VPN works and discover protocols like PPTP, L2TP, IPSec and SSL. Build your own VPN network at home. Security...

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

udemy
4.7
(1,213)

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

20. Java Network Programming - TCP/IP Socket Programming

udemy
4.2
(604)

Learn how to write powerful network applications...

Top 10 most affordable universities for senior network support engineers

The most affordable schools for senior network support engineers are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - bakersfield, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for senior network support 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 senior network support engineers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

6. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

7. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

8. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

9. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

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 senior network support engineers

The hardest universities for senior network support engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for senior network support 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 senior network support 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. 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. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

6. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

7. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

8. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,566

9. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

10. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior network support engineers

The easiest schools for senior network support 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 senior network support 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 senior network support 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. Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,072

5. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

6. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

7. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

8. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

9. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

10. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

Average senior network support engineer salary by education level

According to our data, senior network support engineers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $124,098 annually. Senior network support engineers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $120,800.
Senior network support engineer education levelSenior network support engineer salary
Master's Degree$124,098
High School Diploma or Less$110,971
Bachelor's Degree$120,800
Some College/ Associate Degree$112,056

Senior network support engineer education FAQs

Search for senior network support engineer jobs

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.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs