Best Network Administration Bachelor's Programs 2026

Best Network Administration Programs - Top 10 Bachelor's — Complete Program Data

1. #1. University of Washington-Seattle Campus

   Location: Seattle, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,524/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 100.0

   What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus stand out: UW Allen School uniquely eliminates the traditional standalone master's degree in favor of specialized pathways: a fully-funded Ph.D. track, an exclusive fifth-year master's for their own undergraduates, and a part-time professional program for regional tech workers, all housed in the state-of-the-art Paul G. Allen Center and Bill & Melinda Gates Center facilities.

   Hakia Insight: University of Washington-Seattle Campus's partnerships with Microsoft and Allen Institute for AI (Ai2) translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: The University of Washington's Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering operates as one of the nation's premier computer science programs, consistently ranking among the top programs nationally. The school offers a comprehensive graduate education ecosystem that uniquely serves different student populations without a traditional standalone master's degree. Instead, UW provides a research-intensive Ph.D. program where students earn both master's and doctoral degrees with full financial support, a Combined B.S./M.S. program (also called the Fifth Year Master's Program) exclusively for current Allen School undergraduates, and a Professional Master's Program designed as a part-time evening option for working professionals in the Puget Sound region. The school recently launched a Graduate Certificate in Modern AI Methods starting fall 2025, designed for working professionals across industries seeking to leverage cutting-edge AI and machine learning techniques.

   Degree Programs: Full-time Ph.D. Program (5-7 years); Combined B.S./M.S. Program (Fifth Year Master's) (1 year beyond bachelor's); Professional Master's Program (PMP) (Variable); Graduate Certificate in Modern AI Methods (Variable)

   Research Labs: Artificial Intelligence Research - Core AI research and applications; Computing + Biology Research - Interdisciplinary research at the intersection of computing and life sciences; Human-Centered Computing Research - Technology design and human-computer interaction

   Industry Partners: Microsoft, Allen Institute for AI (Ai2), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Toyota Research Institute

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Major technology companies, Academic institutions, Research laboratories | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Research Scientist, Academic Faculty, Technology Leadership

   Notable Faculty: Professor Noah Smith (Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing); Professor Sheng Wang (AI applications in healthcare); Professor Shyam Gollakota (Mobile Intelligence)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET accredited Computer Engineering degree program

2. #2. University of California-San Diego

   Location: La Jolla, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 81% | Score: 95.2

   What makes University of California-San Diego stand out: UCSD's CS program uniquely combines access to the San Diego Supercomputer Center's national-scale computing infrastructure with an interdisciplinary curriculum option, while maintaining direct pathways for exceptional MS students to transition into the PhD program.

   Hakia Insight: Access to San Diego Supercomputer Center's national research infrastructure

   Program Overview: UC San Diego's Computer Science and Engineering Department offers both Master of Science in Computer Science and Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering (Computer Engineering) degrees, designed to serve diverse post-graduate educational needs. The program provides three distinct pathways: a Thesis Plan for research-oriented students, a Comprehensive Standard Plan, and a unique Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Plan that requires additional coursework in another department. What sets UCSD apart is its rigorous three-pronged curriculum structure ensuring students master fundamental concepts, gain breadth across multiple CS domains (Theory, Systems, and Applications), and develop deep expertise in their chosen specialization area. The program accommodates both full-time students and working professionals through part-time options, with a minimum three-quarter residency requirement. Located in La Jolla with proximity to the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), students gain access to cutting-edge computational resources including the Expanse supercomputer and AI-integrated computing environments that have powered breakthrough scientific research since the early Cray systems era.

   Degree Programs: MS in Computer Science and Engineering - Thesis Plan (Minimum 3 quarters); MS in Computer Science and Engineering - Comprehensive Standard Plan (Minimum 3 quarters); MS in Computer Science and Engineering - Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Plan (Minimum 3 quarters); MS in Computer Science and Engineering (Computer Engineering) (Minimum 3 quarters)

   Research Labs: San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) - High-performance computing, AI-integrated systems, and cyberinfrastructure from early Cray systems to modern supercomputers

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for good academic standing

   Accreditations: University of California accreditation

3. #3. Cornell University

   Location: Ithaca, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $65,204/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 92.7

   What makes Cornell University stand out: Cornell uniquely offers both a fully-funded research MS in Ithaca with mandatory teaching experience and a one-year industry-focused MEng at Cornell Tech in NYC, where students build actual products for real companies through the first-of-its-kind Studio curriculum.

   Hakia Insight: Cornell University's partnerships with PVH Corp and Gap Inc. translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: Cornell University offers multiple pathways into computer science graduate education, each with distinct advantages for different career trajectories. The Master of Science in Computer Science, housed at Cornell's Ithaca campus, represents a highly selective, research-intensive program that combines advanced coursework with mandatory thesis research and teaching assistantships. This four-semester program requires 34 credit hours, including 6-12 credits of thesis research, and provides full funding through teaching assistantships for students maintaining good standing. In New York City, Cornell Tech offers a one-year Master of Engineering in Computer Science designed for immediate industry impact, featuring the innovative Studio curriculum where students build complete digital solutions for real companies in cross-disciplinary teams with business and law students. The Ithaca MS program particularly appeals to self-motivated researchers who thrive in mentoring environments, as students gain valuable teaching experience with undergraduates while conducting specialized research. Cornell Tech's Manhattan location provides direct access to NYC's tech ecosystem, with students working on innovation challenges from real companies and learning from faculty with extensive industry experience. Both programs benefit from Cornell's broader research infrastructure, including world-class facilities like the Cornell Center for Advanced Computing and specialized research groups in artificial intelligence, security and privacy, and human-computer interaction.

   Degree Programs: MS in Computer Science (Ithaca) (2 years); Master of Engineering in Computer Science (Cornell Tech) (1 year); Special Master's in Computer Science (Variable)

   Research Labs: Initiative for Cryptocurrencies & Contracts (IC3) - Blockchain science and cryptocurrency research; Digital Life Initiative (DLI) - Ethics, policy, and quality of life in socio-technical systems; People-Aware Computing Lab - Mobile sensing systems for capturing human context and activities; XR Collaboratory (XRC) - Augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality research

   Industry Partners: PVH Corp, Gap Inc., New Balance Athletic Shoe, Intel, U.S. Census Bureau, National Science Foundation

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90% of Cornell Tech CS graduates accept Software Developer roles | Top Employers: Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft | Common Roles: Software Developer, Product Manager, Program Manager, Data Scientist, Research positions

   Notable Faculty: Vitaly Shmatikov (Digital privacy, computer security, machine learning security); Yoav Artzi (Natural language processing, machine learning); Noah Snavely (Computer vision, computer graphics); Helen Nissenbaum (Ethics and policy in technology)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: AI for Engineers Certificate available at Cornell Tech

4. #4. University of Central Florida

   Location: Orlando, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,478/year | Graduation Rate: 93% | Score: 86.5

   What makes University of Central Florida stand out: UCF Hack@UCF won 3 back-to-back National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition championships. Students intern at companies in Central Florida Research Park and downtown Orlando.

   Hakia Insight: University of Central Florida graduates earn $93,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on network administration curriculum.

   Program Overview: University of Central Florida offers BS in Information Technology through the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Students work to drive business efficiency through innovative IT solutions, maintaining systems and improving business processes.

   Degree Programs: BS Information Technology (4 years)

   Research Labs: CECS Research Centers - IT and cybersecurity research

   Industry Partners: L3Harris Technologies, Siemens, HD Supply, Lockheed Martin

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: L3Harris Technologies, Siemens, HD Supply, Lockheed Martin | Common Roles: Computer Network Operator, Information Security Analyst, IT Professional, Network Administrator, Support Technician, System Administrator, Web Designer

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 41%

5. #5. George Mason University

   Location: Fairfax, VA | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,095/year | Graduation Rate: 81% | Score: 84.4

   What makes George Mason University stand out: George Mason's Department of Computational and Data Sciences is globally recognized as one of only a few departments offering comprehensive data science education at all degree levels, while the Data Analytics Engineering program offers an exceptional 14 specialized concentrations including unique tracks like Naval Engineering and Cyber Analytics.

   Hakia Insight: Northern Virginia location near Washington DC

   Program Overview: George Mason University offers multiple pathways into data science through two distinct colleges. The College of Engineering and Computing houses the MS in Data Analytics Engineering, a 30-credit multidisciplinary program designed specifically for aspiring data scientists and analysts in finance, marketing, operations, and business intelligence. This program stands out with 14 specialized concentrations ranging from Cyber Analytics and Financial Engineering to Health Data Analytics and Naval Engineering. Meanwhile, the College of Science operates the Department of Computational and Data Sciences, one of only a few departments globally offering degrees at all levels - bachelor's, master's, and two PhD programs. The BS in Computational and Data Sciences integrates real-world computer science skills with data analysis, scientific modeling, and simulation, preparing graduates for the federal sector and high-tech firms where computational analysis drives decision-making.

   Degree Programs: MS in Data Analytics Engineering (2 years); BS in Computational and Data Sciences (4 years); MS in Computational Science (2 years); PhD in Computational Sciences and Informatics (4-6 years); PhD in Computational Social Science (4-6 years)

   Research Labs: Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine - Computational biology and proteomics data analysis; School of Systems Biology - Computational approaches to biological systems and bioinformatics

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Scientific Simulation Specialist, Business Intelligence Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Iosif I. Vaisman (Director, School of Systems Biology); Dr. Lance Liotta (Co-Director, Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine); Dr. Emanuel Petricoin III (Co-Director, Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for MS programs

   Accreditations: ABET

6. #6. Carnegie Mellon University

   Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private | Tuition: $62,260/year | Graduation Rate: 98% | Score: 81.7

   What makes Carnegie Mellon University stand out: CMU's Plaid Parliament of Pwning hacking team has won a record nine DEF CON Capture-the-Flag championships in 13 years, while CyLab operates as the largest university-based security and privacy institute with triple NSA Center of Academic Excellence designations.

   Hakia Insight: Carnegie Mellon University's partnerships with Facebook/Meta and Netflix translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: Carnegie Mellon University operates one of the nation's most comprehensive cybersecurity ecosystems through its Information Networking Institute and the renowned CyLab Security and Privacy Institute. The flagship Master of Science in Information Security (MSIS) is a two-year technical program that combines rigorous coursework in security principles with hands-on research opportunities. Students can choose from specialized tracks including Cyber Forensics and Incident Response (CyFir) and Cyber Operations certificates, with part-time options available for working professionals. What sets CMU apart is its integration across multiple colleges - students can pursue cybersecurity through the College of Engineering, Heinz College's policy-focused MSISPM program, or newer offerings like the AI Engineering - Information Security degree. The university's CyLab comprises 40 core faculty and over 120 affiliated researchers, making it one of the largest university-based security research centers globally. Pittsburgh's emerging tech scene, with major expansions by Google, Uber, Disney, and Facebook, provides students with unprecedented access to both traditional defense contractors and cutting-edge tech companies.

   Degree Programs: Master of Science in Information Security (MSIS) (2 years); Master of Science in Information Security Policy and Management (MSISPM) (16-21 months); Master of Science in Privacy Engineering (MS-PE) (12-16 months); Pittsburgh-Silicon Valley Bicoastal Programs (MSIT-IS, MSMITE) (varies)

   Research Labs: CyLab Security and Privacy Institute - University-wide security and privacy institute coordinating research across all departments; CyLab Usable Privacy and Security Lab - Privacy policies and human factors in security; CyLab Biometrics Center - Facial recognition and biometric security systems

   Industry Partners: Facebook/Meta, Netflix, Microsoft, NSA, Google, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Accenture, Amazon, Apple, Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, FBI, Goldman Sachs, Google, NSA, PwC, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Homeland Security | Common Roles: Security Engineer, Information Security Analyst, Privacy Engineer, Cybersecurity Manager

   Notable Faculty: David Brumley (Software security research); Yuan Tian (Software security research); Lorrie Cranor (Usable privacy and security); Alessandro Acquisti (Privacy research); Taha Khan (Cybercrime, usable security, online censorship)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-Cyber Ops), NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R)

7. #7. Towson University

   Location: Towson, MD | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,382/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Score: 80.9

   What makes Towson University stand out: Towson IT offers accelerated bachelors-to-masters pathway with Data Management track. TU in Northeastern Maryland partnership allows students to earn BS without leaving Cecil College area.

   Program Overview: Towson University offers BS in Information Technology with Data Management and Analytics track. The program equips students with skills to manage, analyze, and interpret large datasets for data-driven decision-making and business intelligence careers.

   Degree Programs: BS Information Technology (Data Management track) (4 years)

   Research Labs: Computer and Information Sciences Department - IT research

   Industry Partners: Baltimore employers

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Under Armour, T. Rowe Price, Northrop Grumman, Johns Hopkins | Common Roles: Database Administrator, Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 79%

   Accreditations: CompTIA certification prep integrated, Cisco certification pathway

8. #8. The University of Texas at Dallas

   Location: Richardson, TX | Type: Public | Tuition: $14,564/year | Graduation Rate: 77% | Score: 80.8

   What makes The University of Texas at Dallas stand out: UT Dallas offers one of the few Executive Master's in Software Engineering programs in the nation, allowing working professionals to earn their degree in just 20 months through weekend-only classes, while maintaining access to the same world-class faculty and research opportunities as traditional students.

   Hakia Insight: The University of Texas at Dallas's partnerships with Texas Instruments and Microsoft translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: The University of Texas at Dallas offers a comprehensive Software Engineering graduate program through its Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, featuring both Master's and Doctoral pathways. The MS in Software Engineering requires 33 semester credit hours and can be completed through traditional full-time study or the innovative Executive Master's in Software Engineering (EMSE) format, designed specifically for working professionals with classes meeting Friday evenings and Saturday mornings for just three weekends per month, enabling degree completion in 20 months. The program emphasizes real-world application with core courses in Object-Oriented Software Engineering, Advanced Requirements Engineering, Software Architecture and Design, and Software Testing and Verification, culminating in an Advanced Software Engineering Project. UT Dallas maintains specialized research laboratories for software engineering, high-performance computing, and distributed systems, with faculty conducting cutting-edge research in areas including AI and machine learning techniques for software engineering, software quality and reliability, and knowledge mining-based approaches. The program benefits from the university's location in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, recently rated by Forbes as the #1 'Best City for Jobs,' providing exceptional access to industry partnerships and internship opportunities with major technology employers.

   Degree Programs: MS in Software Engineering (2 years); Executive MS in Software Engineering (EMSE) (20 months); PhD in Software Engineering (4-6 years)

   Research Labs: Software Engineering Research Lab - Requirements engineering, architecture design, testing and verification, software maintenance; Center for Software Testing - Advanced cutting-edge testing technologies and user-friendly tool support; Applied Logic, Programming-Languages and Systems Lab - Programming language security and software systems research

   Industry Partners: Texas Instruments, Microsoft, AT&T, CISCO, NSF

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Technology companies, Fortune 500 corporations, Government contractors, Consulting firms | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Software Developer, Cybersecurity Engineer, Data Scientist, Program Analyst, Systems Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Dr. W. Eric Wong (Software testing and verification); Dr. Farokh B. Bastani (Software reliability and fault-tolerant computing); Dr. Andrian Marcus (Software maintenance and evolution); Dr. Shiyi Wei (Software engineering and program analysis)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum overall, 3.3 in quantitative courses

   Accreditations: NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE), NSA/DHS CAE in Research

9. #9. Purdue University-Main Campus

   Location: West Lafayette, IN | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,718/year | Graduation Rate: 83% | Score: 78.2

   What makes Purdue University-Main Campus stand out: Purdue holds dual NSA designations as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) across multiple programs and maintains ABET accreditation for its cybersecurity programs, while offering the unique flexibility of studying cybersecurity across three distinct educational pathways within the same university system.

   Hakia Insight: Purdue University-Main Campus's partnerships with West Monroe and Crowe LLP translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: Purdue University's cybersecurity education spans multiple colleges and formats, creating one of the most comprehensive cybersecurity ecosystems in higher education. The flagship undergraduate Cybersecurity major through Purdue Polytechnic's School of Applied and Creative Computing offers hands-on experience in specialized labs like the Cybersecurity & Forensics Lab and Cyber Security and Networking Lab. Students master everything from cryptographic techniques and digital forensics to cyber criminology and incident response management. For graduate study, the Computer Science department offers a Professional Master's Degree in Information and Cybersecurity designed specifically for IT professionals seeking to advance into technical cybersecurity roles, while Purdue Global provides a fully online Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management for working professionals. The undergraduate program is available on both the West Lafayette campus with its traditional university environment and the Indianapolis campus, which leverages Indiana's capital city for expanded internship and industry connections with employers like West Monroe, Crowe LLP, and Deloitte.

   Degree Programs: Cybersecurity (Undergraduate Major) (4 years); MS in Cybersecurity and Trusted Systems (2 years); Professional Master's in Information and Cybersecurity (2 years); MS in Cybersecurity Management (2 years)

   Research Labs: Cybersecurity & Forensics Lab - Digital forensics and cybersecurity investigations; Cyber Security and Networking Lab - Network security and infrastructure protection

   Industry Partners: West Monroe, Crowe LLP, Deloitte, Cisco, American Express

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: West Monroe, Crowe LLP, Deloitte, Cisco, American Express | Common Roles: Digital Security Consultant, Systems Security Engineer, IT Security Operator, Security Consultant

   Notable Faculty: Dawn Laux (Technology and cybersecurity education); Dr. Kate (Cyber criminology)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: NSA CAE-CD (National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education), ABET Accredited

10. #10. Washington University in St Louis

    Location: Saint Louis, MO | Type: Private | Tuition: $61,750/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 76.9

    What makes Washington University in St Louis stand out: WashU Olin Business School ranks #21 nationally. MIS program combines business strategy with information systems. Strong connections to St. Louis corporate headquarters.

    Hakia Insight: With a 11% acceptance rate, Washington University in St Louis's network administration program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

    Program Overview: Washington University in St. Louis is highly recommended for MIS students with Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,152 schools nationwide. Olin Business School combines rigorous business education with technology management.

    Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (with networking specialization) (4 years); MS in Computer Science (with networking focus) (2 years)

    Research Labs: Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research - Drug discovery and therapeutic development for psychiatric illnesses; Neuroimaging Laboratories - Animal models and human cognitive and clinical neuroscience using neuroimaging techniques; Health and Behavior Center - Genomics research and substance use epidemiology and policy; Healthy Mind Lab - Mental and cognitive health clinical trials for geriatric patients; Center for Brain Research in Mood Disorders - Study and treatment of complex mood and anxiety disorders; Washington Early Recognition Center - Early identification and management of psychotic and related illnesses; Social Development Studies Lab - Genetic and environmental pathways to disorders of social development in childhood; Early Emotional Development Program - Identification and treatment of early onset mental disorders including depression; Laboratory for Child Brain Development - Neuroscientific measures to identify preschool children at risk for psychopathology

    Industry Partners: Centene, Emerson, Edward Jones

    Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Centene, Emerson, Edward Jones, Deloitte, Accenture | Common Roles: Business Analyst, IT Consultant, Systems Manager

    Notable Faculty: Dr. Deanna Barch (Cognitive and language deficits in psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia); Dr. Peter Kastor (American history, politics, and presidential studies); Dr. Charles Zorumski (Psychiatric research and drug discovery)

    Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 11%

    Accreditations: STEM program