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Switch technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a switch technician. Switch technicians usually study electrical engineering, business, or electrical engineering technology. 42% of switch technicians hold a associate degree, and 39% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 1,603 real switch technician resumes to see exactly what switch technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for switch technicians are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.
There are also many online switch technician courses to help get the education required to be a switch technician.
There are certain switch technician certifications that you should consider. These switch technician certifications include Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) and Certified Network Computer Technician (CNCT).
What education do you need to become a switch technician?
What degree do you need to be a switch technician?
- Associate, 42%
- Bachelor's, 39%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a switch technician?
- Business, 12%
- Other Majors, 43%
Most common colleges for switch technicians
| Switch technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| DeVry University | 21.43% |
| University of Phoenix | 19.64% |
| Strayer University | 5.36% |
| Saint Louis University | 5.36% |
| Kent State University | 5.36% |
Best majors for switch technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 25.2% |
| 2 | Business | 11.8% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 11.5% |
| 4 | Computer Networking | 9.3% |
| 5 | Computer Science | 7.4% |
Best colleges for switch technicians
The best colleges for switch technicians are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
A switch technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for switch technicians. 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 switch technicians.
1. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Enrollment
4,169
2. New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$6,686
Enrollment
11,139
3. Baker College
Owosso, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$9,800
Enrollment
8,319
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
5. National University College - Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$6,675
Enrollment
10,203
6. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
7. Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR • Private
In-state tuition
$8,607
Enrollment
8,623
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
20 best online courses for switch technicians
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1. Pharmacy Technician Fundamentals
In this foundational Pharmacy Technician Career Training Specialization, students will take four courses to master the fundamentals of a career in pharmacy. The first two courses teach how to communicate and engage professionally in any healthcare setting and the necessary knowledge of human anatomy and physiology required for any medical role. Next, students dive into two pharmacy-related courses - Pharmacy Technician Essentials and Pharmacy Dosages & Prescriptions Essentials - to round out...
2. Aruba CX Switching for Cisco Professionals
The Aruba CX Switching for Cisco Professionals course bridges the gap between Aruba and Cisco switching technologies by teaching the necessary skills for a Cisco Certified Routing and Switching Professional to use the Aruba AOS-CX technology. This course consists of approximately 40% lecture and 60% hands-on lab exercises to help you learn how to implement and validate AOS-CX solutions. Self-directed Labs can be purchased separately on HPE Press. This course prepares already certified Cisco...
3. CCNP Switch 642-813 Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks
Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks...
4. Become a Pharmacy Technician
A Video Study Guide for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam...
5. JavaScript Decision Programming with Switch
In this intermediate-level project you will examine the need to make decisions in programming using the Switch feature in JavaScript. Using the Notepad++ editor and JavaScript embedded in HTML, you will write the JavaScript code to test a condition and then take an action based on the test result. As you develop your JavaScript toolset, you’ll find the Switch to be a useful alternative to the If-Else statement. Note: This course works best for learners who are based in the North America region...
6. CCNP Switch Verison 2.0 (300-115)
Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks (CCNP SWITCH 300-115) best way to Prepare for your CCNP switch Certification...
7. Cisco CCNP Switch (300-115): The Complete Course
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8. CCNP SWITCH 300-115 Video Boot Camp With Chris Bryant
Pass The CCNP SWITCH 300-115 Exam With Chris Bryant -- AND Prepare For Real-World Networking Success!...
9. Aruba Switching Training With Labs For ACSA ACSP HPE
Aruba Switching Training To Configure Aruba Networks HPE Products Pass ACSA ACSP HPE6-A67 HPE6-A45...
10. CCIE Routing & Switching Version 5.0 - IGP
The best way to prepare for CCIE Routing and Switching Version 5 certification...
11. CCIE Routing & Switching Version 5.0 - BGP
The best way to prepare for CCIE Routing and Switching Version 5 certification...
12. CCIE Routing & Switching Version 5.0 - VPN
The best way to prepare for CCIE Routing and Switching Version 5 certification...
13. Layer 2 Switching & VLAN's for Cisco CCNA
This course is geared for Cisco's, CCNA (200-120) certification exam. It will cover the Switching portion of the CCNA...
14. CCIE Routing & Switching Version 5.0 - IP Multicasting
The best way to prepare for CCIE Routing and Switching Version 5 certification...
15. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support
Learn the basic fundamentals of computer networking & OSI model for desktop support and IT service desk technicians...
16. CCIE Routing & Switching Version 5.0 - Layer 2
The best way to prepare for CCIE Routing and Switching Version 5 certification...
17. IT/Desktop Computer Support- Troubleshooting for Technicians
Learn how to troubleshoot desktop computer issues as an IT Support Technician on real-world organisational networks...
18. Cisco Certified Technician R & S RSTECH (100-490) Training
Covers ALL new CCT Topics *** Excellent Packet Tracer Lab Exercises *** Everything You Need To Pass100-490 Exam...
19. Become a Microbiology Laboratory Technician
Microbiology...
20. Introduction to Networking
IPv4, Subnetting, DNS, DHCP, IPv6, Routing and Switching...
Top 10 most affordable universities for switch technicians
The most affordable schools for switch technicians are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.
If the best universities for switch technicians 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 switch technicians.
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. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Cost of attendance
13,564
5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas
Barranquitas, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,479
6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
Aguadilla, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,284
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
10. National University College - Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$6,675
Cost of attendance
12,941
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for switch technicians
The hardest universities for switch technicians to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for switch technicians 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 switch technicians 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
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
9. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
10. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for switch technicians
The easiest schools for switch technicians 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 switch technician 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 switch technicians.
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. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
7. Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,070
8. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
9. Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
957
10. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,068
Average switch technician salary by education level
| Switch technician education level | Switch technician salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $99,017 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $105,293 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $105,829 |
Switch technician education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common installation, maintenance and repair questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025