Best Bachelor's Degrees in Network Administration

Network Administration is a growing field, and career opportunities are numerous and diverse. Some colleges and universities offer a bachelor's degree in Network Administration, while others offer a concentration within a more general major, such as Information Technology. We researched Network Administration programs throughout the country and prepared a list of our Top 10 programs based on a number of factors including affordability and accessibility. See our recommendations below.

1. Dakota State University

Students in Dakota State University's Network and Security Administration BS program engage with faculty and other professionals who are eager to spread their knowledge. In virtual and physical labs, students work with routers, firewalls, VoIP phones, and switches. Students develop skills in network confidentiality integrity/availability, penetration testing procedures, and configuration of firewalls. Graduates with these skills are marketable to organizations such as the National Security Agency (NSA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Google.

2. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred State's Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree in Information Technology: Network Administration prepares students to work in the specialized field of networking. The program includes a full-semester internship to gain real-life experience. Graduates will be prepared to become certified in areas such as: Cisco Certified Network Association (CCNA), CCNA Security, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, COMP TIA A+, and Network +. Evidence of the value of this program is the fact that 100% of program graduates are employed!

3. Michigan Technological University

In Michigan Tech's Computer Network and System Administration (CNSA) BS program, students can choose to focus on Cybersecurity, IT Management, or Network Engineering. 'Hands on' lab work, in labs that are open 24/7, is a key component of the program. Students are also able participate in competitive cooperative education and internship opportunities. Graduates will be prepared to design, secure, and manage computer networks across all industry sectors.

4. Central Washington University

Central Washington University offers a Network Administration and Management specialization within its BS program in Information Technology and Administrative Management. In this program, students develop both hard skills (wireless communications, workstation administration, etc.) and soft skills (project management, customer relationship management, etc.) that will allow them to succeed as network administrators, technicians, analysts, and managers, among other career paths. Graduates can also receive a significant discount on the CompTIA certification exams.

5. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati offers a concentration in Networking and Systems Administration within its Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) program. The BSIT program was one of the first ten in the county to be granted accreditation from the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology. One of the unique aspects of the program is the number of hands-on experiences that students acquire during their courses. Before graduation, seniors develop a solution to a real-life problem and present it during the annual IT Expo.

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page

Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

General education courses and core classes usually comprise the curriculum for a bachelor's degree in network administration, with the latter group usually being around 30 credit hours worth of coursework. Normally, those core classes focus on certain subjects most relevant to network administration that may have several iterations (such as Hardware Configuration I, II, and III). An internship commonly serves as a capstone class. Possible course subjects include:

• Networking
• Hardware configuration
• Software configuration
• Technical support
• Server configuration
• Information security management
• Windows administration
• UNIX/Linux administration
• Routers and switches
• Web programming

As with most bachelor's degrees, students must usually complete around 120 credit hours of classes to earn a degree in network administration. In many cases, roughly a quarter of those classes are in core classes, while the rest fall under more general education. It usually takes around four years to pass all these courses. Taking summer classes, asynchronous online classes or enrolling in an accelerated program with shorter course lengths can help you graduate faster.

The two types of accreditation to consider when deciding where you should earn a bachelor's in network administration are programmatic and institutional accreditation. Accreditation in the former category is important because it shows students and employers that the education provided by a program is of high quality and meets the industry standard. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is the premier organization for programmatic accreditation in network administration. This nonprofit accredited programs in applied and natural science, commuting, and engineering. It has accredited 4,307 programs at 846 colleges worldwide.

Like programmatic accreditation, regional accreditation is critical because it is evidence of a school's quality. It also improves the chances of transferring credits and qualifies you to apply for federal financial aid. Schools earn regional accreditation, as opposed to specific programs. There are several major regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education (CHEA). Examples include the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSOC) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

There is no government-imposed requirement to obtain licensure or certification in this field, but industry standards dictate that many of those who work in network administration attain some type of certification. Multiple groups provide ways to become a certified network administrator. One of the most widely respected organizations that bestows these certifications is the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). It has two prominent certifications, the CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+.

The CompTIA A+ certification is the industry standard for those pursuing a career in information technology. Those who obtain this distinction are proven problem solvers who understand modern technologies, security, data management, and more. You must pass two exams to earn this certification.

The CompTIA Network+ certification, on the other hand, helps those already in the industry develop a career in information technology, making it a more advanced option. This covers troubleshooting, managing, and configuring networks. Candidates must pass only one exam to earn this certification.

Individuals who graduate college with a bachelor's degree in network administration can obtain a number of jobs within the information technology field. As an evolving and relatively new discipline, there may even be additional positions that are invented or created for which those with a background in network administration may qualify. Currently, however, many of the career options center on network security, research, analysis, support, setup, and similar topics. Some jobs may be focused on one operating system, such as PC network administrator. The specific job titles vary, but they generally fall into one of these types of disciplines within network administration. Particularly common job titles may include:

• Computer network architect
• Computer network support specialist
• Computer technician
• Network administrator
• Computer information and systems manager
• Systems analyst
• Network engineer
• Computer security management analyst
• Software developer in applications or systems software
• Web developer

How to Become a Network Systems Administrator

A network systems administrator, who may also have the title computer systems administrator, is responsible for the daily operations of an organization's computer network. This person organizes, installs, and supports computer systems that can include intranets, wide area networks, local area networks, and other types of data communication systems. That may involve making upgrades or repairs to the system or equipment, ensuring everything is secure, optimizing the network performance, training new people in the use of the hardware and software, and fixing any issues that the system or its users may have. Though sometimes confused, the network systems administrator position is different than of database administrator.

To get this job, a bachelor's degree in a field related to something like computer science is necessary in many cases, though some jobs require only an associate's degree or certificate. Certifications like those listed above may also be required, and network administrators may also earn certifications in the particular programs they utilize. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported in 2019 that this job had a median annual wage of $83,510 and that it is expected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029. That job outlook is about the average for all occupations.

How to Become an Information Security Analyst

As an information security analyst, you are responsible for planning and carrying out exercises and procedures that protect an organization's computer networks and systems. As cybersecurity moves closer to the forefront of issues facing modern society, this role is still evolving. Current responsibilities of information security analysts may include monitoring a network or system for breaches, installing software to protect sensitive information, simulating cyberattacks to look for weaknesses, reporting on security breaches, and more.

To become an information security analyst, a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field is often required. Work experience in a related occupation is also often a requirement of employers, meaning this job is not common for entry-level professionals. Again, it may also be helpful to obtain certifications in this area. The BLS reported in 2019 that the median annual wage for information security analysts was $99,730. The job is also expected to grow by 31 percent from 2019 to 2029, far outpacing the average growth rate for all occupations.

There are numerous professional organizations in this in the network administration field that may help you in your career. These groups focus their efforts on different aspects of professional development, so it is important to research each one to determine if its services are desirable in your situation. Examples of professional organizations include:

• Computing Technology Industry Association - As discussed above, CompTIA is perhaps the most prominent and widely respected organization in network administration when it comes to certification, but it has additional services. It also holds events for its members to provide professional development and network opportunities. In addition, by virtue of its leading status in this arena, it often advocates on behalf of its members.
• Network and Systems Professionals Assocaition - NaSPA was founded in 1986 and was known at that time as the National Systems PRogrammers Association. It has operated under its current name since 1997. Throughout its history, this body has provided training, industry-focused publications, and conference and trade show opportunities to professionals in this discipline.
• Network Professional Association - The NPA is a global organization focused on serving information technology professionals. Since it was founded in 1993, this nonprofit has provided professional development and best practice standards for the industry. It is also known for the awards it gives to members of this field.

Professionals have a few different routes they can pursue to advance in network administration. One such avenue is simply gaining more work experience. To progress to some higher positions in the field, it may be necessary to spend several years in the industry. That is especially true of management or other senior-level positions.

Many of the other approaches fall under the broad umbrella of continuing education. This can be varying degrees of informal or formal. On one end of the spectrum, it is important to stay abreast of the latest technology in this evolving area, so employees who make the effort to keep their knowledge current may stand out from their peers when promotions become available. On the more formal end of the continuum, earning certifications similar to those explained in the preceding sections can help increase your chances of career advancement. Similarly, earning another degree in network administration or a related field may prove beneficial. Options for other degrees are discussed below.

Degrees in network administration or related subjects exist at every level of academia. These programs range from those at the associate's and undergraduate certificate level, which exist to give students the skills needed to obtain an entry-level job in this field or master a very particular skill set, to masters and doctoral degrees, which focus much more on leadership, research, and other advanced topics within network administration. These degrees all have their uses to the aspiring or current professional in network administration, so read below to find out more about which one may suit your needs.

Associate Degrees in Network Administration

As is the case at the bachelor's degree level, an associate degree in network administration may have a title with words like systems or security administration added to it, but this is still applicable to network administration overall. Generally, these programs aim to provide graduates the skill needed to get a job in this field, meaning you can become a network administrator without a bachelor's degree. That means these degrees, which are typically an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), usually focus on topics like building, designing, analyzing, and upgrading networks. It often takes around two years to earn this degree, as graduates must finish about 60 credit hours of classes in most cases.

Master's Degrees in Network Administration

At the postgraduate level, the first degree many people think of is a master's degree. In network administration, this is most commonly a Master of Science (MS) degree. Again, titles may differ slightly, and it may be that network administration is a concentration in a more general degree such as computer science. These programs usually prepare students for more specialized or technical work in network administration by covering more advanced topics within this subject. It usually takes approximately two years to complete the around 30 credit hours required to graduate with this degree in most programs.

Doctoral Degrees in Network Administration

A doctoral degree is the terminal one in this field, but it may also be difficult to find one specifically focused on network administration. Most likely, individuals seeking to earn this level of degree will get something with a broader title like computer science, as this is in the same area and still beneficial to professionals in network administration. For example, a Doctor of Philosophy (P.hD.) in Computer Science would be fitting. These degrees are focused on research and teaching, meaning those who pursue them usually want to work in one of those fields. While only around 30 credit hours may be required to graduate, it usually takes at least a few years to earn this degree.

Certificates in Network Administration

Certificates in network administration are most commonly found at the undergraduate level. The primary function of many of these programs is to prepare students for work in the field, but they also often help graduates get closer to earning an associate's degree or one of the certifications mentioned above. Often, students can earn a certificate then take the exam required to obtain certification from an organization like CompTIA. These certificates focus almost exclusively on hands-on skills. They can usually be earned in a year or less.

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as that is the first step for seeking federal aid. This application enables students to find the federal loans, grants, or work-study program for which they may qualify. Completing this form is a relatively complicated and time-consuming process that may require several governmental or financial documents like federal tax information and the social security number of the student.

In terms of scholarships, the most common source of monies for network administration majors is their chosen school. Many colleges and universities offer scholarships to those studying network administration and similar topics. These may be based on academic performance, need, or some other merits. Check with your school to see what options are available to you.