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Technical support professional education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a technical support professional. Technical support professionals usually study business, computer science, or computer information systems. 48% of technical support professionals hold a bachelor's degree, and 26% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,129 real technical support professional resumes to see exactly what technical support professional education sections show.

The most common colleges for technical support professionals are the University of Portland and the University of Portland.

There are also many online technical support professional courses to help get the education required to be a technical support professional.

There are certain technical support professional certifications that you should consider. These technical support professional certifications include Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and Network 5 Certification.

What education do you need to become a technical support professional?

What degree do you need to be a technical support professional?

The most common degree for technical support professionals is bachelor's degree, with 48% of technical support professionals earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 26% and associate degree degree at 13%.
  • Bachelor's, 48%
  • Associate, 26%
  • High School Diploma, 13%
  • Master's, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a technical support professional?

You should major in business to become a technical support professional. 16% of technical support professionals major in business. Other common majors for a technical support professional include computer science and computer information systems.

Most common colleges for technical support professionals

Technical support professionals often get their degrees at University of Portland, DeVry University, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for technical support professionals in the US based on their resumes.
Technical support professional common collegePercentages
University of Portland13.22%
DeVry University9.92%
University of Phoenix9.92%
University of South Dakota6.61%
Oregon State University5.79%

Best majors for technical support professionals

Best colleges for technical support professionals

The best colleges for technical support professionals are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A technical support professional 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 support professionals. 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 support professionals.

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. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

7. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,530

Enrollment

4,571

20 best online courses for technical support professionals

Advertising disclosure

1. Introduction to Technical Support

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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. IBM IT Support

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Prepare for an in-demand career in Information Technology (IT). In this program, you’ll develop a strong foundation in IT fundamentals, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing to get job-ready in as little as 3 months, with no prior experience or degree needed to get started.\n\nAlmost every organization, business, or individual relies on technology. A career in IT Support is about providing technological assistance to better optimize organizational efficiency. This can include...

3. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp

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

4. IT Support Technical Skills Helpdesk

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

5. Akamai Customer Consulting and Support

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Are you interested in end-to-end project management? Want to deliver the best solutions to our customers while collaborating with teams from all over the world? You will never stop learning in this fast-moving environment and across our cutting-edge technologies. This beginner level certificate is designed to provide you with in-demand skills that range from internet technology fundamentals, networking, operating systems and problem solving techniques.\n\nThis certificate program consists of...

6. Healthcare IT Support

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Are you looking to get your foot in the door as a Healthcare IT Support specialist? Do you want to solve technical problems for healthcare professionals and health system employees? Have you always wanted to enter an in-demand field in Health Information Technology? The courses in this specialization are designed to pique your interest regarding the ever-evolving field of IT support in healthcare. In order to help physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and a wide range of other allied health...

7. IT & Technical Support Guide to Helpdesk, Desktop & Servers

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Learn how the different levels of IT technical support work, from service desk to infrastructure and server support...

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

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

9. Technical Writing: How to Write Software Documentation

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Learn a proven strategy for writing software docu in Git Hub wiki based on the 12 main principles of technical writing!...

10. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

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

11. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support

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

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

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

13. Technical Writing: How to Write API Software Documentation

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A framework for writing software documentation for an API as a technical writer, using Postman or Swagger UI...

14. Professional Technical Writing: Advance Your Writing Skills

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Create your first technical document by applying the principles and techniques of technical writing taught by Pro Writer...

15. IT/Desktop Computer Support- Troubleshooting for Technicians

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Learn how to troubleshoot desktop computer issues as an IT Support Technician on real-world organisational networks...

16. IT Help Desk Professional

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Get Hands-On Experience on Helpdesk Skills, Learn, Master & Troubleshoot All What It Takes To Get You a Job...

17. Service Desk Analyst Crash course for beginners.

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Get Hands-On Experience for following JOB roles - Service Desk Analyst IT Help Desk Professional L1 IT Support GSD...

18. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

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Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

19. IT Support and Service Desk jobs -Crash Course for Beginners

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Let me help you land your first job in IT. Learn about different roles, procedures, tools, and applications - Part 1...

20. ComputerCavalry: IT Help Desk Training for IT Professionals!

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Help Desk Training for IT Professionals is a 10 lecture course that provides valuable work experience to beginners in IT...

Top 10 most affordable universities for technical support professionals

The most affordable schools for technical support professionals are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for technical support professionals 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 support professionals.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

10. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for technical support professionals

The hardest universities for technical support professionals to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for technical support professionals 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 support professionals 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. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,415

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for technical support professionals

The easiest schools for technical support professionals to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, barry university, and nyack college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a technical support professional 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 support professionals.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

4. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

10. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

Average technical support professional salary by education level

Technical support professionals with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $106,766 annually. With a Doctorate degree, technical support professionals earn a median annual income of $96,049 compared to $77,592 for technical support professionals with an Bachelor's degree.
Technical support professional education levelTechnical support professional salary
Master's Degree$106,766
High School Diploma or Less$60,356
Bachelor's Degree$77,592
Doctorate Degree$96,049
Some College/ Associate Degree$63,404

Technical support professional education FAQs

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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.

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