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Computer Systems Networking

Instructional content for this group of programs is defined in codes 11.0901 - 11.0999.

Types of Degrees Computer Systems Networking Majors Are Earning

People majoring in Computer Systems Networking have the option of earning degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	5,031
Associate’s Degree	3,086
Bachelor’s Degree	1,165
Master’s Degree	4,856
Doctor’s Degree	4

What Computer Systems Networking Majors Need to Know

Studies in Computer Systems Networking develop a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Computer Systems Networking graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Computer Systems Networking emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Computers and Electronics — Importance 4.6 / 5; level 6.1 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.5 / 7.
• Education and Training — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 5.0 / 7.
• Engineering and Technology — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Customer and Personal Service — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 4.5 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

Skills emphasized by a Computer Systems Networking program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Reading Comprehension — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.5 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Speaking — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Complex Problem Solving — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.

Abilities

Innate abilities most relevant to Computer Systems Networking careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Oral Comprehension — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Written Comprehension — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.5 / 7.
• Oral Expression — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Deductive Reasoning — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.0 / 7.
• Inductive Reasoning — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Computer Systems Networking graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Working with Computers	4.7 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.4 / 7
Getting Information	4.4 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.3 / 7
Analyzing Data or Information	4.2 / 7
Processing Information	4.2 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.1 / 7
Thinking Creatively	4.1 / 7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.9 / 7
Training and Teaching Others	3.8 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Computer Systems Networking professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Python	Object or component oriented development software	✓
UNIX	Operating system software	✓
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	✓
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	✓
Oracle Java	Object or component oriented development software	✓
Linux	Operating system software	✓
Operating system software	Operating system software	✓
Microsoft Access	Data base user interface and query software	✓
Microsoft Visual Basic	Development environment software	—
C#	Object or component oriented development software	✓

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Computer Systems Networking graduates include:

• Network Technology Instructor
• Computer Science Professor
• Computer Science Instructor
• Computer Information Systems Instructor (CIS Instructor)
• Faculty Member
• Computer Engineering Professor
• Assistant Professor
• Computer Information Systems Professor (CIS Professor)
• Instructor
• Computer Science Teacher
• College Professor
• Adjunct Computer Science Professor
• Professor
• Computer Technology Instructor
• Information Technology Instructor (IT Instructor)

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Computer Systems Networking graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
Bachelor’s degree	34.3%
Master’s degree	27.1%
Doctoral degree	19.5%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	6.3%
Postsecondary certificate	4.3%
Post-baccalaureate certificate	4.2%
Some college courses	2.6%
High school diploma or equivalent	0.7%
First professional degree	0.4%
Post-master’s certificate	0.4%
Less than a high school diploma	0.2%
Post-doctoral training	0.1%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Computer Systems Networking?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 81.5% of Computer Systems Networking degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	2,786	18.5%
Men	12,248	81.5%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Computer Systems Networking graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	6,454	42.9%
Asian	1,000	6.7%
Hispanic or Latino	2,692	17.9%
Black or African American	3,086	20.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	173	1.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	56	0.4%
Two or More Races	635	4.2%
Race Unknown	474	3.2%
International Students	464	3.1%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Computer Systems Networking Graduates Earn?

The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of Computer Systems Networking graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$49,235
4 years	$57,619
5 years	$64,395

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $64,395 — roughly 31% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Online Computer Systems Networking Programs

Online study is tracked by IPEDS for Computer Systems Networking. The table below shows how many graduates earned at least some of their coursework online (Distance-Ed Available) versus completing the entire program online (Distance-Ed Only).

Award Level	Distance-Ed Available	Distance-Ed Only
Associate’s	43	52
Bachelor’s	15	15
Master’s	10	8

^{Distance-Ed Only = degrees completed entirely online; Distance-Ed Available = degrees including at least some online coursework. Source: IPEDS Completions by Distance Education status.}

Is a Degree in Computer Systems Networking Worth It?

Strictly by the federal earnings tracker, Computer Systems Networking graduates earn a median of $57,619 four years after completion — roughly 52% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Computer Information Sciences	332,216
Computer and Information Sciences, General	118,381
Computer Science	79,857
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	57,935
Information Science/Studies	22,425
Computer Software and Media Applications	15,581
Computer Programming	15,336
Computer Systems Analysis	3,034
Data Processing	2,131
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other	2,066
Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications	436
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES	—

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.