Unix systems administrator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a unix systems administrator. Unix systems administrators usually study computer science, electrical engineering, or computer information systems. 68% of unix systems administrators hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 5,268 real unix systems administrator resumes to see exactly what unix systems administrator education sections show.

The most common colleges for unix systems administrators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

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

There are certain unix systems administrator certifications that you should consider. These unix systems administrator certifications include Certified UNIX System Administrator (CUSA) and Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA).

What education do you need to become a unix systems administrator?

What degree do you need to be a unix systems administrator?

The most common degree for unix systems administrators is bachelor's degree, with 68% of unix systems administrators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 16% and associate degree degree at 11%.

Bachelor's, 68%

Associate, 16%

Master's, 11%

Diploma, 3%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a unix systems administrator?

You should major in computer science to become a unix systems administrator. 30% of unix systems administrators major in computer science. Other common majors for a unix systems administrator include electrical engineering and computer information systems.

Computer Science, 30%

Electrical Engineering, 11%

Computer Information Systems, 10%

Business, 10%

Other Majors, 39%

Most common colleges for unix systems administrators

Unix systems administrators often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, DeVry University, and University of Maryland - College Park. Here are the most common colleges for unix systems administrators in the US based on their resumes.

Unix systems administrator common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	12.66%
DeVry University	8.44%
University of Maryland - College Park	7.79%
New York University	5.19%
San Jose State University	5.19%

Show more common unix systems administrator colleges

Best majors for unix systems administrators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	30.1%
2	Electrical Engineering	11.0%
3	Computer Information Systems	10.1%
4	Business	10.0%
5	Information Technology	6.0%

Show more common unix systems administrator majors

Best colleges for unix systems administrators

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

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

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 unix systems administrators

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4.2

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

3. AIX Administration for Absolute Beginners: Better than Linux

4.3

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Learn IBM AIX System Administration, it's proven to be a far superior OS when compared to LINUX and other UNIX platforms...

4. Essential Tools for Windows System Administrators

4.2

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5. Advanced Linux System Administration

4.2

(283)

This course will teach you everything you need to know to be an Advanced system administrator...

6. Linux Redhat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA - EX200)

4.6

(3,969)

Best match for those who want to become Red Hat certified system administrator (RHCSA) in shortest amount of time...

7. Administration of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (2023)

4.4

(633)

Get skills needed for RHCA/RHCE. Gain sufficient skill to perform system administration tasks on Red Hat Linux in 2023...

8. Complete Red Hat System Administration Boot Camp - RHCSA 9

4.3

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9. Linux Redhat System Administration I - SA1 (RHEL8)

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(2,195)

Prepare for first level of Linux Exam and gain sufficient skill to perform core system administration tasks...

10. Linux Foundation Certified Systems Administrator - LFCS

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Prepare for the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) Exam...

11. Linux Redhat System Administration II - SA2 (RHEL8)

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14. Windows 10 System Administration & Basic Computer Skills

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Learn the basics of system administration for the Windows 10 operating system, as well as some basic computer skills...

15. Ermin Kreponic's Course for CentOS and Red Hat Linux - RHCSA

4.3

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Learn the basics of Cent OS and Red Hat Linux! Prepare and pass the Red Hat certified system administrator (RHCSA) exam!...

16. Apple macOS and iOS System Administration 2019

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17. ServiceNow Certified System Administrator(CSA) - Utah 2023

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18. Oracle Solaris 11 Administration and Sun Cluster Practical

(647)

Learning Oracle Cloud Operating System Solaris 11.4 And Setup LAB for Oracle SUN CLUSTER 4.4 on Oracle Virtual Box...

19. Linux Administration +Linux Command Line+Linux Server 3 in 1

4.4

(535)

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20. Linux System Programming using C and C++(Practical Approach)

4.2

(501)

Practical approach to Linux c-system programming for fork, thread, semaphore IPC, etc...

Top 10 most affordable universities for unix systems administrators

The most affordable schools for unix systems administrators 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 unix systems administrators 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 unix systems administrators.

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 unix systems administrators

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

Some great schools for unix systems administrators 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 unix systems administrators 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 unix systems administrators

The easiest schools for unix systems administrators 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 unix systems administrator 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 unix systems administrators.

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 unix systems administrator salary by education level

According to our data, unix systems administrators with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $98,190 annually. Unix systems administrators with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $94,945.

Unix systems administrator education level	Unix systems administrator salary
Master's Degree	$98,190
High School Diploma or Less	$85,409
Bachelor's Degree	$94,945
Some College/ Associate Degree	$86,452

Unix systems administrator education FAQs

What is the best college for Unix Systems Administrators?

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

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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

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