Computer Systems Networking
Featured schools near , edit
Types of Degrees Computer Systems Networking Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many computer systems networking graduations there were in 2020-2021 for each degree level.
Education Level | Number of Grads |
---|---|
Master’s Degree | 566 |
Graduate Certificate | 154 |
What Computer Systems Networking Majors Need to Know
People with careers related to networking were asked what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. They weighted these areas on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest.
Knowledge Areas for Networking Majors
This major prepares you for careers in which these knowledge areas are important:
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Skills for Networking Majors
A major in networking prepares you for careers in which the following skill-sets are crucial:
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Abilities for Networking Majors
Networking majors often go into careers where the following abilities are vital:
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
What Can You Do With a Computer Systems Networking Major?
Below is a list of occupations associated with networking:
Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
---|---|---|
Computer Network Architects | 6.5% | $109,020 |
Computer Network Support Specialists | 8.2% | $62,770 |
Informatics Nurse Specialists | 9.1% | $88,740 |
Information Security Analysts | 28.5% | $98,350 |
Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Computer Systems Networking?
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of networking majors is as follows:
Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
---|---|
Asian | 32 |
Black or African American | 31 |
Hispanic or Latino | 26 |
White | 96 |
International Students | 349 |
Other Races/Ethnicities | 32 |
Geographic Diversity
Americans aren’t the only ones with an interest in Networking. About 61.7% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:
- India
- China
- Saudi Arabia
- Pakistan
- Nigeria
How Much Do Computer Systems Networking Majors Make?
Master’s Degree Starting Salary
According to 2019-2020 data from the U.S. Department of Education, students who graduated with a master’s degree in networking have a median salary of $68,726 during the early years of their career. During this timeframe, most salaries fell between $68,726 (25th percentile) and $68,726 (75th percentile).
We don’t know for sure if all of these people took jobs related to networking so take that into consideration.
Salaries According to BLS
Networking majors often go into careers where salaries can range from $68,050 to $102,470 (25th to 75th percentile). This range includes all degree levels, so the salary for a person with just a bachelor’s degree may be a little less and the one for a person with an advanced degree may be a little more.
To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Computer Systems Networking
Some degrees associated with networking may require an advanced degree, while others may not even require a bachelor’s in the field. Whatever the case may be, pursuing more education usually means that more career options will be available to you.
How much schooling do you really need to compete in today’s job market? People currently working in careers related to networking have obtained the following education levels.
Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
---|---|
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) | 1.5% |
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) | 5.3% |
Some College Courses | 6.3% |
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 12.7% |
Bachelor’s Degree | 45.3% |
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 9.9% |
Master’s Degree | 16.6% |
Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. | 2.4% |
Doctoral Degree | 0.9% |
Online Computer Systems Networking Programs
In 2020-2021, 629 schools offered a networking program of some type. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
---|---|---|
Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 0 | 0 |
Certificate (1-2 years) | 242 | 16 |
Certificate (2-4 Years) | 17 | 0 |
Associate’s Degree | 370 | 36 |
Bachelor’s Degree | 21 | 5 |
Post-Baccalaureate | 0 | 0 |
Master’s Degree | 42 | 10 |
Post-Master’s | 2 | 0 |
Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 2 | 0 |
Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 0 | 0 |
Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
Is a Degree in Computer Systems Networking Worth It?
The median salary for a networking grad is $93,610 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.
This is 135% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $1,074,200 after 20 years!
Top Ranking Lists for Computer Systems Networking
Explore Major by State
Alabama
California
District of Columbia
Idaho
Kansas
Maryland
Mississippi
Nevada
New York
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Utah
West Virginia
Alaska
Colorado
Florida
Illinois
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Missouri
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Oregon
South Dakota
Vermont
Wisconsin
Majors Related to Computer Systems Networking
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to networking.
Major | Number of Grads |
---|---|
Computer Information Systems | 20,748 |
Computer Science | 15,813 |
Information Technology | 10,754 |
Information Science | 6,934 |
Computer Software & Applications | 4,047 |
Computer Systems Analysis | 817 |
Computer Programming | 490 |
Other Computer & Information Sciences | 443 |
Data Processing | 205 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
- Image Credit: By Ludovic.ferre under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info | Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |