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Wide area network administrator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a wide area network administrator. Wide area network administrators usually study business, computer networking, or electrical engineering. 44% of wide area network administrators hold a bachelor's degree, and 37% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 43 real wide area network administrator resumes to see exactly what wide area network administrator education sections show.
The most common colleges for wide area network administrators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online wide area network administrator courses to help get the education required to be a wide area network administrator.
What education do you need to become a wide area network administrator?
What degree do you need to be a wide area network administrator?
- Bachelor's, 44%
- Associate, 37%
- Master's, 11%
- High School Diploma, 7%
What should I major in to become a wide area network administrator?
- Business, 12%
- Computer Networking, 12%
- Computer Science, 9%
- Other Majors, 58%
Most common colleges for wide area network administrators
| Wide area network administrator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 11.11% |
| Boston College | 5.56% |
| Eastern Michigan University | 5.56% |
| California State University - San Bernardino | 5.56% |
| Washington College | 5.56% |
Best majors for wide area network administrators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 12.1% |
| 2 | Computer Networking | 12.1% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering | 9.1% |
| 4 | Computer Science | 9.1% |
| 5 | Political Science | 6.1% |
Best colleges for wide area network administrators
The best colleges for wide area network administrators are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A wide area network 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 wide area network 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 wide area network administrators.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
8. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$15,094
Enrollment
32,974
9. SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,099
Enrollment
21,404
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
20 best online courses for wide area network administrators
Advertising disclosure
1. Intel® Network Academy - Network Transformation 102
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2. Intel® Network Academy - Network Transformation 101
Welcome to the Intel® Network Academy – a comprehensive training program on network transformation. In this program, we will be covering the topic areas of software defined infrastructure (SDI) network functions virtualization (NFV), software-defined networking (SDN) and beyond. The Network Academy includes a broad collection of online content and technical training aimed to assist technical professionals in the network industry to improve their knowledge of key Intel® technologies, industry...
3. Storage Area Network with Openfiler Linux
Build storage area network accessed by different clients Linux windows vmware esxi redhat centos ubuntu...
4. An Introduction to the Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus
Learn the fundamentals of the Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus using both a theoretical and practical approach...
5. Network Installation Fundamentals
This online course, Network Installation Fundamentals, is your steppingstone to a rewarding career in network technology. By the end of this course, you will be able to understand basic network client management, explain the role of network connection media, and describe the role of virtualization in enterprise networking. Perfect for beginners with no experience, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to network installation, one of the most in-demand skills in the networking field...
6. Computer Network Cabling: Ethernet Wiring Infrastructure
The Physical Side of Computer Networking; Wire Ethernet Cables from Scratch and Master the Fundamentals of RJ-45 Ports...
7. Virtual Private Networks for beginners - VPN, Cisco training
Learn how VPN works and discover protocols like PPTP, L2TP, IPSec and SSL. Build your own VPN network at home. Security...
8. Learn the Fundamentals of Networking
Networking is perhaps the most important and useful area of computing to learn when looking for an IT career...
9. Linux for Network Engineers: Practical Linux with GNS3
Linux for Networking Engineers (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE etc). Practical Linux with GNS3 = network programmability & automation...
10. IT Networking Fundamentals For Complete Beginners
Understand all the IT Networking Fundamentals and learn how the computer network functions...
11. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration
Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...
12. Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)
Certificate Exam Preparatory Course...
13. Ethical Hacking: Network Security & Network Layer Attack
Learn Ethical Hacking with Network Security, Sniffing, Subnetting, Networking, Password Cracking & implement Mit M attack...
14. 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!...
15. Microsoft Networking Fundamentals
Learn Windows-based networking, network management tools, DNS, TCP/IP, network protocols and much more!...
16. Computer Network: Networking fundamentals + Wireshark Basics
Learn Computer Networks fundamentals and Wireshark Basics; Build Strong, Successful Foundation in Computer Networking...
17. Ethical Hacking: Network Scan Nmap& Nessus Network Security
Scan networks with vulnerabilities by using Nmap& Nessus. Master Cyber Security, ethical hacking, network hacking skills...
18. Computer Network: IT Networking Fundamentals 2016
Learn Network and Computer Systems and begin a career with a $66,000 annual salary...
19. Controller Area Network-Indepth analysis of CAN BUS/Protocol
Automotive Communication Protocol - CAN - Covering both Theory and Practicals...
20. Virtual Private Networks - Zero to Hero (VPN)
A comprehensive coverage of Virtual Private Networks from basic level to advanced...
Top 10 most affordable universities for wide area network administrators
The most affordable schools for wide area network administrators are California State University - Bakersfield, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for wide area network 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 wide area network administrators.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
6. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for wide area network administrators
The hardest universities for wide area network administrators to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for wide area network 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 wide area network 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
6. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
10. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,448
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for wide area network administrators
The easiest schools for wide area network administrators to get into are Barry University, mount saint mary's university, and gwynedd mercy university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a wide area network 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 wide area network administrators.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
5. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
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. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
9. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
10. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
Average wide area network administrator salary by education level
| Wide area network administrator education level | Wide area network administrator salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $70,876 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $59,607 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $67,980 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $60,512 |
Wide area network administrator education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025