Systems architect education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a systems architect. Systems architects usually study computer science, electrical engineering, or business. 67% of systems architects hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 4,130 real systems architect resumes to see exactly what systems architect education sections show.

The most common colleges for systems architects are the University of Maryland - College Park and the University of Maryland - College Park.

There are also many online systems architect courses to help get the education required to be a systems architect.

There are certain systems architect certifications that you should consider. These systems architect certifications include Certified System Architect (CSA) and Certified Senior System Architect (CSSA).

What education do you need to become a systems architect?

What degree do you need to be a systems architect?

The most common degree for systems architects is bachelor's degree, with 67% of systems architects earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 21% and master's degree degree at 7%.

Bachelor's, 67%

Master's, 21%

Associate, 7%

Doctorate, 2%

Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a systems architect?

You should major in computer science to become a systems architect. 31% of systems architects major in computer science. Other common majors for a systems architect include electrical engineering and business.

Computer Science, 31%

Electrical Engineering, 15%

Business, 9%

Computer Engineering, 6%

Other Majors, 39%

Most common colleges for systems architects

Systems architects often get their degrees at University of Maryland - College Park, University of California - Davis, and Pennsylvania State University. Here are the most common colleges for systems architects in the US based on their resumes.

Systems architect common college	Percentages
University of Maryland - College Park	10.74%
University of California - Davis	6.13%
Pennsylvania State University	5.83%
Rochester Institute of Technology	5.83%
New York University	5.52%

Show more common systems architect colleges

Best majors for systems architects

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	31.5%
2	Electrical Engineering	15.2%
3	Business	8.6%
4	Computer Engineering	5.9%
5	Computer Information Systems	5.6%

Show more common systems architect majors

Best colleges for systems architects

The best colleges for systems architects are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

A systems architect with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for systems architects. 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 systems architects.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

6. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

8. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

9. Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH • Private

In-state tuition

$55,453

Enrollment

4,312

10. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

20 best online courses for systems architects

Advertising disclosure

1. Pega CSSA Course

4.3

(375)

PEGA Certified Senior System Architect(CSSA)...

2. PL/SQL by Example - Beginner to Advanced PL/SQL

4.5

(13,982)

Using PL/SQL learn how to combine the efficiency of SQL & Procedural Language(PL) to build a powerful PL/SQL Application...

3. Mastering PL/SQL

4.2

(269)

Simplified way to learn PL/SQL...

4. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration

4.2

(1,085)

Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...

5. Implementing a Data Warehouse with SQL Server 2012

4.6

(2,088)

Implementing a Data Warehouse with SQL Server 2012 (Exam 70-463)...

6. Google Cloud Professional Architect: Get Certified 2022

4.6

(1,357)

Latest Exam and Case Studies. Think Like an Architect. Design Scalable, Highly Available, Resilient Services...

7. Oracle PL/SQL Fundamentals vol. I & II

4.6

(5,398)

A complete introduction to PL/SQL database programming language...

8. Learn Oracle PL/SQL - A Comprehensive Training Course

4.5

(397)

A Comprehensive Oracle PL/SQL Course Taught By Infinite Skills...

9. The Complete PL/SQL Bootcamp: Beginner to Advanced PL/SQL

4.5

(13,873)

A Comprehensive Guide to Make You a Job-Ready PL/SQL Developer.Also Covers Oracle 1Z0-144 and 1Z0-149 PL SQL Exam Topics...

10. Data Warehouse Developer-SQL Server/ETL/SSIS/SSAS/SSRS/T-SQL

4.3

(1,477)

Develop and Implement a Data Warehouse Solution Step by step...

11. The Complete Cloud Computing Software Architecture Patterns

4.7

(1,025)

Architect Large Scale Systems using Cloud Computing, Software Architecture Patterns & Modern System Design Principles...

12. GCP Professional Cloud Architect: Google Cloud Certification

4.6

(8,478)

Become a GCP Cloud Architect. Architect Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Solutions. Includes 4 New Case Studies...

13. Software Architecture & System Design Practical Case Studies

4.7

(250)

Design Real-life Large Scale Systems, Practice Modern Software Architecture & Prepare for a System Design Interview...

14. Microsoft Azure: Cloud Architecture Case Studies

4.6

(661)

Become an even better Cloud Architect by learning from real-world cloud architecture case studies...

15. Pega CSA Course

4.2

(464)

Pega Tutorial for Beginners...

16. Hands on Google cloud platform(GCP)-- Cloud Architect

(816)

Cloud Architect Certification...

17. Software Architecture & Design of Modern Large Scale Systems

4.7

(4,499)

Become a Software Architect or Technical Lead by Mastering Software Architecture, System Design & Big Data Processing...

18. Oracle 11g PL/SQL Fundamentals II

4.6

(344)

An introduction to the PL/SQL database programming language...

19. 200+ PL/SQL Interview Questions

4.4

(1,568)

Prepare for an PL/SQL Developer Interview with these 200+ Real World PL/SQL Questions and Practical Answers...

20. Oracle 11g PL/SQL Fundamentals I

(796)

An introduction to the PL/SQL database programming language...

Top 10 most affordable universities for systems architects

The most affordable schools for systems architects are Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, brigham young university, and hunter college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for systems architects 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 systems architects.

1. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

2. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

3. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

4. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

5. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

6. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

7. Brigham Young University - Hawaii

Laie, HI • Private

In-state tuition

$5,560

Cost of attendance

18,043

8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo

Arecibo, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,872

Cost of attendance

13,476

9. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce

Mercedita, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,914

Cost of attendance

13,564

10. Trident University International

Cypress, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,240

Cost of attendance

17,912

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for systems architects

The hardest universities for systems architects to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for systems architects 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 systems architects 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

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

4. Amherst College

Amherst, MA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,449

5. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

6. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

7. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

8. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

10. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for systems architects

The easiest schools for systems architects to get into are Nyack College, saint martin's university, and oklahoma wesleyan university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a systems architect 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 systems architects.

1. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

2. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

4. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

5. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

6. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

7. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

8. Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

74%

SAT average

1,061

9. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,148

10. Longwood University

Farmville, VA • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,065

Average systems architect salary by education level

Systems architects with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $120,026 annually. With a Master's degree, systems architects earn a median annual income of $119,830 compared to $108,792 for systems architects with an Bachelor's degree.

Systems architect education level	Systems architect salary
Master's Degree	$119,830
Bachelor's Degree	$108,792
Doctorate Degree	$120,026
Some College/ Associate Degree	$92,931

Systems architect education FAQs

What is the best college for Systems Architects?

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

Search for systems architect 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

Browse computer and mathematical jobs