Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Technical specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a technical specialist. Technical specialists usually study business, computer science, or electrical engineering. 57% of technical specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 20,348 real technical specialist resumes to see exactly what technical specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for technical specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online technical specialist courses to help get the education required to be a technical specialist.
There are certain technical specialist certifications that you should consider. These technical specialist certifications include Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) and Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
What education do you need to become a technical specialist?
What degree do you need to be a technical specialist?
- Bachelor's, 57%
- Associate, 20%
- Master's, 10%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a technical specialist?
- Business, 18%
- Computer Science, 13%
- Other Majors, 52%
Most common colleges for technical specialists
| Technical specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 17.42% |
| DeVry University | 12.25% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 5.58% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 5.33% |
| Purdue University | 5.17% |
Best majors for technical specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 18.1% |
| 2 | Computer Science | 13.4% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering | 10.1% |
| 4 | Information Technology | 6.6% |
| 5 | Computer Information Systems | 6.5% |
Best colleges for technical specialists
The best colleges for technical specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A technical specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for technical specialists. 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 technical specialists.
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 technical specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Introduction to Technical Support
Technical Support professionals are in great demand! This is the first course in the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate program, designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in technical support. You will begin this self-paced course by learning what Informational Technology (IT) support is all about. You'll find out the roles and responsibilities of Technical Support professionals and become familiar with all the different career paths you can take in Technical Support. You will also...
2. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp
Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...
3. IT Support Technical Skills Helpdesk
Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Learners...
4. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking
For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...
5. Active Directory on Windows Server
Learn how to deploy and manage all aspects of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and many more technologies...
6. [Active Directory] Management using Windows PowerShell
[Power Shell] Simplified practical knowledge for automation & management of [Active Directory] using Windows Power Shell...
7. IT & Technical Support Guide to Helpdesk, Desktop & Servers
Learn how the different levels of IT technical support work, from service desk to infrastructure and server support...
8. TOTAL: Active Directory with Windows Server 2016
Identity, Access, and Authentication with Microsoft AD and Identity with Windows Server 2016...
9. Technical Writing: How to Write Software Documentation
Learn a proven strategy for writing software docu in Git Hub wiki based on the 12 main principles of technical writing!...
10. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access
Training For Beginners - Become a Network Administrator in Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with Remote Server Access!...
11. Remote Desktop Services Windows Server 2016
Learn RDS Sessions and Application on Windows Server 2016 and Get Everything You Need To Start Deploying RDS...
12. Tableau Data Analyst/Specialist Desktop Certification
From beginners to skills needed for Data Analyst or Desktop Specialist certifications. Tableau 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020...
13. IT Business Analyst & Project Managers Technical awareness
A quick introduction to software development & IT for business analyst and non technical managers overseeing IT teams...
14. 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...
15. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification Guide
Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification Exam Subjects Covered in Detail! + Real World Case Study & 2 Practice Tests...
16. Tableau Certification: Desktop Specialist + Data Analyst
Complete guide to acing the 2021-2022 Tableau Desktop Specialist & Certified Data Analyst exams (2 full practice tests!)...
17. Basic Computer Course - Windows 7/10 - IT & Desktop Support
Basic computer course with troubleshooting skills -computer hardware and computer networking, for IT support technicians...
18. Mastering Group Policy on Windows Server
An IT person's guide to managing Active Directory Users and Computers with Group Policy...
19. Active Directory and Windows Server 40+ Hour with Labs
Domain Controllers (DC), Global Catalog, FSMO, Groups, Users, Security, Domains and Forests ,Trusts, GPO, much more....
20. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification Practice Tests
Updated for the new Tableau Desktop Specialist exam version - 200+ high quality questions with Detailed answers!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for technical specialists
The most affordable schools for technical specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for technical specialists 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 technical specialists.
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 technical specialists
The hardest universities for technical specialists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for technical specialists 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 technical specialists 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 technical specialists
The easiest schools for technical specialists 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 technical specialist 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 technical specialists.
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 technical specialist salary by education level
| Technical specialist education level | Technical specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $108,945 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $82,466 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $93,226 |
| Doctorate Degree | $103,462 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $84,473 |
Technical specialist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
Search for technical specialist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025