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Network Engineer Education Requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a network engineer. Network engineers usually study electrical engineering, computer science, or computer information systems. 62% of network engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 36,871 real network engineer resumes to see exactly what network engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for network engineers are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.
There are also many online network engineer courses to help get the education required to be a network engineer.
There are certain network engineer certifications that you should consider. These network engineer certifications include CCNA Routing and Switching Certification (CCNA RS) and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).
What education do you need to become a network engineer?
What degree do you need to be a network engineer?
- Bachelor's, 62%
- Associate, 21%
- Master's, 10%
- Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a network engineer?
- Computer Science, 16%
- Business, 9%
- Other Majors, 46%
Most common colleges for network engineers
Network Engineer Common College  | Percentages |
|---|---|
| DeVry University | 17.94% |
| University of Phoenix | 15.58% |
| Strayer University | 9.58% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 8.97% |
| George Mason University | 6.71% |
Best majors for network engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 18.7% |
| 2 | Computer Science | 16.1% |
| 3 | Computer Information Systems | 9.9% |
| 4 | Business | 9.2% |
| 5 | Information Technology | 8.6% |
Best colleges for network engineers
The best colleges for network engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
A network engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for network engineers. 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 network engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-State Tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
20 best online courses for network engineers
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1. Networking Concepts with Socket Programming - Academic Level
Networking course with socket programming concepts in depth with TCP/UDP/HTTP Socket Programming for beginners to expert...
2. Cisco ASA Firewall Training
This course will cover functionality , setup, configuration, troubleshooting and Failover of Cisco ASA Firewall...
3. General Networking - wireless, routers, firewalls, Cisco NAS
Port forwarding? Dynamic DNS? Home NAS Server? Slow Wireless? Learn how to fix your home nework. Includes 802.11ac!...
4. Ansible for Network Engineers: Quick Start GNS3 & Ansible
Ansible for Network Engineers with GNS3, Ansible and Cisco IOS. Learn Network Automation & Programmability = the future...
5. Mastering Modbus TCP/IP Network Communication
Learn how to design, build and troubleshoot Modbus TCP/IP client-server networks...
6. Master Class: TCP/IP Mechanics from Scratch to Expert
Networking Course, UDP, TCP IP protocol Suite, Flow and Congestion Control, CCNA and others, TCP/IP Complete Course...
7. Python Programming for Network Engineers: Cisco, Netmiko ++
Network Programmability and Network Automation using GNS3 and Python for Cisco engineers: Telnet, SSH, Paramiko, Netmiko...
8. Java Network Programming - TCP/IP Socket Programming
Learn how to write powerful network applications...
9. Introduction to Networking
IPv4, Subnetting, DNS, DHCP, IPv6, Routing and Switching...
10. Python Network Programming for Network Engineers (Python 3)
Program networks using Python version 3. Learn network programmability with this practical GNS3 and Cisco course...
Top 10 most affordable universities for network engineers
The most affordable schools for network engineers are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - bakersfield, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for network engineers 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 network engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,798
Cost of Attendance
18,306
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,309
Cost of Attendance
16,714
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,620
Cost of Attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,749
Cost of Attendance
14,823
5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-State Tuition
$4,094
Cost of Attendance
14,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for network engineers
The hardest universities for network engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for network engineers 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 network engineers 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. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions Rate
10%
SAT Average
1,514
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
5%
SAT Average
1,520
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions Rate
9%
SAT Average
1,516
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for network engineers
The easiest schools for network engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a network engineer 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 network engineers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions Rate
96%
SAT Average
1,139
2. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions Rate
69%
SAT Average
1,070
3. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
Altoona, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
91%
SAT Average
1,094
4. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
90%
SAT Average
1,072
5. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
72%
SAT Average
1,054
Average network engineer salary by education level
| Network Engineer education level | Network Engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $92,877 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $81,254 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $89,932 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $82,204 |
Network Engineer Education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025