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Computer Systems Networking

Types of Degrees Computer Systems Networking Majors Are Earning

Students pursuing Computer Systems Networking may pursue degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	4,839
Associate’s Degree	2,948
Bachelor’s Degree	769
Master’s Degree	4,444
Doctor’s Degree	4

What Computer Systems Networking Majors Need to Know

Studies in Computer Systems Networking emphasize 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

This major prepares you for careers needing Computer Systems Networking emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Computers and Electronics — Importance 4.6 / 5; level 6.0 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Education and Training — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 5.2 / 7.
• Customer and Personal Service — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 4.7 / 7.
• Engineering and Technology — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.

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

Skills

The skill set developed in a Computer Systems Networking program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Reading Comprehension — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Speaking — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.3 / 7.
• Writing — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.3 / 7.

Abilities

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

• Oral Comprehension — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.7 / 7.
• Oral Expression — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.7 / 7.
• Written Comprehension — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Deductive Reasoning — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.0 / 7.
• Inductive Reasoning — Importance 3.9 / 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	4.0 / 7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.9 / 7
Training and Teaching Others	3.9 / 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	✓
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	✓
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	✓
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
UNIX	Operating system software	✓
Microsoft Access	Data base user interface and query software	✓
Oracle Java	Object or component oriented development software	✓
Operating system software	Operating system software	✓
Linux	Operating system software	✓
Firewall software	Network security and virtual private network VPN equipment software	✓
Microsoft Visual Basic	Development environment software	—

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

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Computer Systems Networking graduates include:

• Computer Programming Professor
• Information Technology Professor (IT Professor)
• Computer Science Adjunct Instructor
• Assistant Professor
• Computer Science Adjunct Professor
• Lecturer
• Computer Science Instructor
• Cybersecurity Instructor
• Adjunct Instructor
• Instructor
• C++ Professor
• Java Programming Professor
• Computer Networking Instructor
• Computer Information Systems Professor (CIS Professor)
• Information Security Systems Instructor

What Can You Do With a Computer Systems Networking Degree?

Graduates with a degree in Computer Systems Networking commonly enter the following occupations:

Occupation	Job Growth	Median Salary	25th–75th Pctile
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	-4.2%	$35,659	$27,803–$43,516
Information Security Analysts	12.3%	$111,930	$89,284–$134,576
Health Informatics Specialists	3.5%	$156,714	$127,389–$186,039
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists	5.7%	$117,478	$94,479–$140,477
Computer Network Architects	-0.0%	$63,411	$53,790–$73,032
Computer Network Support Specialists	-3.8%	$107,799	$84,973–$130,625
Computer Systems Analysts	8.2%	$71,253	$59,731–$82,775

^{Job-growth = projected employment change for the parent occupation. Source: ONET / BLS Employment Projections.*}

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
Master’s degree	30.3%
Bachelor’s degree	25.6%
Doctoral degree	19.9%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	7.9%
Post-baccalaureate certificate	6.6%
Postsecondary certificate	5.0%
Some college courses	2.7%
Post-master’s certificate	0.7%
High school diploma or equivalent	0.6%
First professional degree	0.4%
Less than a high school diploma	0.2%

^{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 81.3% of Computer Systems Networking degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	2,575	18.7%
Men	11,178	81.3%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

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

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	5,833	42.4%
Asian	912	6.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2,518	18.3%
Black or African American	2,853	20.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	166	1.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	52	0.4%
Two or More Races	581	4.2%
Race Unknown	386	2.8%
International Students	452	3.3%

^{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. Wages typically rise 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

Distance learning 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	37	48
Bachelor’s	10	15
Master’s	9	7

^{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?

On the earnings side, 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 Science	79,857
Computer and Information Sciences, General	67,926
Information Technology	42,322
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance	38,088
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications	15,034
Computer Programming/Programmer, General	11,341
Network and System Administration/Administrator	4,755
Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst	3,034
System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager	1,925
Cloud Computing	1,229
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications, Other	52

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.