Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Systems operator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a systems operator. Systems operators usually study business, computer science, or computer information systems. 43% of systems operators hold a bachelor's degree, and 28% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 8,529 real systems operator resumes to see exactly what systems operator education sections show.
The most common colleges for systems operators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online systems operator courses to help get the education required to be a systems operator.
There are certain systems operator certifications that you should consider. These systems operator certifications include Network 5 Certification and Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
What education do you need to become a systems operator?
What degree do you need to be a systems operator?
- Bachelor's, 43%
- Associate, 28%
- High School Diploma, 16%
- Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become a systems operator?
- Business, 19%
- Computer Science, 12%
- Other Majors, 53%
Most common colleges for systems operators
| Systems operator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 17.78% |
| Texas A&M University - Central Texas | 9.24% |
| DeVry University | 8.78% |
| American University | 8.55% |
| Colorado Technical University | 6.93% |
Best majors for systems operators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 19.0% |
| 2 | Computer Science | 12.1% |
| 3 | Computer Information Systems | 8.6% |
| 4 | Information Technology | 7.3% |
| 5 | Criminal Justice | 6.9% |
Best colleges for systems operators
The best colleges for systems operators are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A systems 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 systems 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 systems 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. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$13,478
Enrollment
979
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
20 best online courses for systems operators
Advertising disclosure
1. Embedded Hardware and Operating Systems
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...
2. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems
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...
3. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking
For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...
4. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 2
Learn memory management in operating systems as operating system forms the core of computer science...
5. Operate Alibaba Cloud Systems and Services
Course description: ACA System Operator Certification Preparation Course is intended for individuals who have technical expertise in deployment, management and operations on Alibaba Cloud. It’s recommended for System administrators with at least one year of experience in deployment, management, and operations on Alibaba Cloud. ACA System Operator Certification is intended for individuals who have technical expertise in deployment, management, and operations on Alibaba Cloud. Certificate holders...
6. Computer Security and Systems Management
The Computer Security and Systems Management Specialization focuses on computing in an enterprise environment. Combining both theory and real world experience and architecture, the courses will prepare you to design and audit secure enterprise systems. The courses will cover practical use of major server operating systems in an enterprise environment and how to design and operate them securely...
7. Operating Systems Final Part (4): File Systems & Threads
Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...
8. Operating Systems Part 3: Synchronization and Deadlock
Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...
9. Getting Started with Junos Operating System
In this course, you will be introduced to the design and architecture of the Junos operating system (Junos OS)—the operating system used on Juniper’s routing, switching, and security portfolio. This course will explore the Junos OS command line interface (CLI) for configuring, managing, and monitoring Junos OS-powered network devices. The J-Web interface will also be examined as the graphical use interface (GUI) option for configuring, managing, and monitoring Junos OS devices. You will then be...
10. Operations Systems Excellence
The sole task of organisations is to either deliver customers the services that they require, or design, manufacture, and deliver products that customers are after. How do firms and organisations manage the very tasks that they carry out? How can operations themselves give excellence to organisations to enable them to be competitive? Operations management is concerned with the design, planning and control of operating systems for the provision of goods and services. This course will provide an...
11. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting
Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk , Helpdesk , IT Support , System Administration and IT...
12. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management
Operations Management Training Program (Course 8 of 8)...
13. Computer Hardware and Software
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...
14. Cloud Computing Security
In this MOOC, we will learn Cloud Computing basics using AWS as an example, We will guide you to create AWS account, planning AWS resources for your cloud systems, create AWS EC2 instances, access them and configure the popular LAMP web services with MySQL database. We will guide you to create user accounts for your programmer or operators using AWS Identify and Access management GUI, Register your domain name and setup DNS entry for your servers using AWS Route 53 in 22 mintues! and show you...
15. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 1
Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...
16. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp
Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...
17. Systems and Application Security
Welcome to Systems and Application Security Course! In the Systems and Application Security Course, you will gain an understanding of computer code that can be described as harmful or malicious. Both technical and non-technical attacks will be discussed. You will learn how an organization can protect itself from these attacks. You will learn concepts in endpoint device security, cloud infrastructure security, securing big data systems, and securing virtual environments. Objectives 1. Identify...
18. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration
Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...
19. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems
Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...
20. Write Your Own Operating System From Scratch - Step by Step
Build your own 64-bit operating system - for the x86 architecture...
Top 10 most affordable universities for systems operators
The most affordable schools for systems operators are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for systems 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 systems operators.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Cost of attendance
22,990
10. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for systems operators
The hardest universities for systems operators to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for systems 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 systems 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. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for systems operators
The easiest schools for systems operators to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a systems 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 systems operators.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average systems operator salary by education level
| Systems operator education level | Systems operator salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $42,652 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $37,080 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $41,237 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $37,535 |
Systems operator education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
Search for systems operator jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025