Best Network Administration Bachelor's Degree Programs 2026
Compare top-ranked network administration bachelor's degree programs by job placement, starting salaries, and accreditation status.
Programs Analyzed125+
Average Starting Salary$58,400
Job Growth Rate5%
On this page
Key Takeaways
1.Network Administrators earn a median salary of $95,360 with 3% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
2.Top-ranked Network Administration programs include University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Kean University, Utah Valley University based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
3.Best value: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers network administration education at $14,496/year with 92% graduation rate
4.50 accredited Network Administration programs analyzed using IPEDS 2024 completion data
Best Network Administration Programs - Top 10 Bachelor's
Ranked #2 among network administration bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (85.6/100): 68% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $20,206 in-state tuition, 15 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #3 among network administration bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (83.7/100): 48% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $6,998 in-state tuition, 19 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
View full researchShow less
Central Connecticut State University Bachelor's Network Administration Program Overview
Hakia ranks Central Connecticut State University as the #3 bachelor's in network administration degree program.
Central's networking BS leans hard into industry credentials, mapping coursework to A+, Network+, CCNA, and Security+ and backing it with ATMAE accreditation and a required internship or co-op. As a four-year degree it asks more time and tuition than the associate options here, and a 48 percent graduation rate means roughly half don't finish, so the hands-on labs and Cisco Academy ties matter most to students who can commit to the full sequence.
Ranked #4 among network administration bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (83.2/100): 55% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $7,070 in-state tuition, 6 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #5 among network administration bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (82.8/100): 54% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $11,885 in-state tuition, 3 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #6 among network administration bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (82.6/100): 56% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $7,600 in-state tuition, 11 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #8 among network administration bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (79.2/100): 49% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $33,730 in-state tuition, 2 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #9 among network administration bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (76.9/100): 51% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $29,400 in-state tuition, 21 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
Ranked #10 among network administration bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (76.1/100): 43% graduation rate, $129,180 median salary, $4,004 in-state tuition, 2 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.
View full researchShow less
Program Strengths
43% graduation rate
$129,180 median salary
$4,004 in-state tuition
2 graduates annually
Best Network Administration Programs - Top 10 Bachelor's, Complete Program Data
#1. Ball State University — Bachelor's Network Administration (Online)
Hakia ranks Ball State University's online bachelor's network administration program #1. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Muncie, IN | Type: Public | Tuition: $8,948/year | Graduation Rate: 62% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 88.3
#2. Michigan Technological University — Bachelor's Network Administration
Hakia ranks Michigan Technological University's bachelor's network administration program #2. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Houghton, MI | Type: Public | Tuition: $20,206/year | Graduation Rate: 68% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 85.6
#3. Central Connecticut State University — Bachelor's Network Administration
Hakia ranks Central Connecticut State University's bachelor's network administration program #3. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: New Britain, CT | Type: Public | Tuition: $6,998/year | Graduation Rate: 48% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 83.7
#4. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred — Bachelor's Network Administration
Hakia ranks SUNY College of Technology at Alfred's bachelor's network administration program #4. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Alfred, NY | Type: Public | Tuition: $7,070/year | Graduation Rate: 55% | Median Salary: $129,180 | Score: 83.2
#5. NUC University — Bachelor's Network Administration
How Much Does a Network Administration Bachelors Degree Cost?
The total cost of a bachelors's degree in Network Administration and network engineering ranges from $38,000 at public universities to over $140,000 at elite private institutions. Financial aid, scholarships, and in-state tuition significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs (IPEDS 2024-24, WGU).
Public University (In-State): $9,500/year × 4 years = $38,000 total
Public University (Out-of-State): $22,000/year × 4 years = $88,000 total
Private University: $35,000/year × 4 years = $140,000 total
Online Programs: $10,000/year × 4 years = $40,000 total
With median starting salaries of $96,800, most graduates achieve positive ROI within 3-5 years. Financial aid recipients often pay 30-50% less than sticker price.
Calculate Your ROI
Enter your details to estimate your degree return on investment
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
20 years
10 years20 years30 years
20-Year ROI
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
Net Gain
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
Break-Even
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
COL-Adjusted Salary
$133,333
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Total Investment$185,000
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Program Cost (Tuition)$45,000
Direct cost of the degree program
Opportunity Cost$140,000
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
20-Year Earnings (with degree)$2,712,662
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
20-Year Earnings (without degree)$850,408
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Starting Salary (Austin, TX)$140,000
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Annualized Return4.9%
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Bachelor of Arts vs Bachelor of Science in Network Administration
Factor
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Math Requirements
Basic math, statistics (less common)
Calculus, Discrete Math, Statistics
Science Requirements
General IT courses
Networking protocols, systems architecture
Core Credits
Broader IT focus (less common)
Technical networking core (120 credits)
Liberal Arts
Communication, business
Technical writing, project management
Career Focus
General IT roles
Network Administrator, Systems Administrator, Cloud Administrator
Source: University curriculum analysis, WGU
$58,400
Starting Salary
$78,000
Mid-Career
+5%
Job Growth
18,500
Annual Openings
Career Paths
Network Administrator
+5%
Manage and maintain computer networks for organizations, ensuring optimal performance and security.
Median Salary:$61,000
IT Systems Administrator
+3%
Oversee entire IT infrastructure including servers, networks, and end-user support.
Median Salary:$64,000
Cloud Network Engineer
+15%
Design and manage cloud-based networking solutions for enterprise environments.
You want extensive industry partnerships and job placement support
Cost efficiency is a primary concern
You prefer access to current enterprise networking equipment
You value strong alumni networks in technology companies
Specialized Technical Colleges
You prefer hands-on, practical training over theoretical coursework
You want accelerated programs with industry certification focus
You're seeking programs with high industry certification pass rates
You value smaller class sizes and personalized instruction
Online Programs
You're working while studying and need flexible scheduling
You live in areas without strong local program options
You have access to networking equipment for home labs
You're disciplined with self-directed learning
Frequently Asked Questions About Network Administration Degrees
How long does it take to get a Network Administration degree?
Bachelor's degrees take 4 years (120 credits). WGU's competency-based model allows faster completion. Associate's degrees take 2 years and qualify for entry-level roles. Certifications (CCNA, Network+) take 2-6 months each. (IPEDS, WGU)
Can you get a Network Administration degree online?
Yes. WGU offers networking degrees for $3,915/6-month term with included certifications (CCNA, Network+, Security+). Virtual labs simulate network environments. Online programs with strong certification inclusion are highly effective. (WGU, SNHU)
Is a Network Administration degree worth it?
Consider career outlook carefully. BLS projects -4% decline (2024-2034) as cloud adoption and automation reduce traditional admin roles. Median salary $96,800 is solid. Pivot toward cloud networking (AWS, Azure) or network security for better prospects. 14,300 annual openings remain despite decline. (BLS OOH 2024)
What are the best schools for Network Administration?
For value with certifications: WGU ($3,915/term, includes CCNA/Network+). Georgia Tech and Carnegie Mellon cover networking in CS programs. Cisco certifications often matter more than school for networking roles. Consider programs with Cisco Academy partnerships. (WGU, Cisco)
What are the requirements for a Network Administration degree?
Prerequisites include basic computer literacy and some math. Core curriculum covers TCP/IP, routing/switching, network security, server administration, and cloud platforms. Cisco curriculum (CCNA) often integrated. Hands-on lab experience essential. (University catalogs, Cisco)
Do you need a degree for Network Administration jobs?
BLS states network admins 'need a bachelor's degree.' However, certifications (CCNA, Network+, CCNP) carry significant weight. Many enter from help desk or IT support with associate's degrees plus certifications. Experience often valued alongside credentials. (BLS, Industry surveys)
What's the job market like for Network Administration graduates?
Challenging transition period. BLS projects -4% decline (2024-2034) as cloud and automation reduce traditional roles. However, 14,300 annual openings remain. Cloud networking skills (AWS VPC, Azure networking) and DevOps/infrastructure-as-code are growth areas within networking. (BLS OOH 2024)
Network Administration vs Cloud Computing: which is better?
Cloud computing offers better growth outlook (+12%) vs network admin (-4%). Cloud skills include networking fundamentals plus AWS/Azure/GCP. Network admin is more traditional on-premises focused. Consider cloud computing or cloud networking specialization for better long-term prospects. (BLS comparisons)
What skills do Network Administration graduates need?
Key skills include programming languages, problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication. Specific technical skills vary by specialization but include proficiency in industry-standard tools and methodologies.
How much do Network Administration graduates earn?
The median salary for Network Administration professionals is $96,800 nationally. Entry-level positions start around $60,320, with experienced professionals earning over $150,320.
How We Rank Network Administration Degree Programs
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
Ball State University's Bachelor's in Network Administration tops our list of 22 bachelor's network administration programs. We fold federal graduation, admissions, salary, and tuition figures into a single 0 to 100 score applied identically to every school. 5 of them can be earned fully online.
Ranking Factors
Program Completions35%
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Graduation Rate25%
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Selectivity20%
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
Career Outcomes20%
National salary data for network administration graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Ranking Categories
Best Programs
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Online Programs
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Most Affordable
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Federal database of college costs, graduation rates, and post-graduation earnings
Industry Certification Bodies
CompTIA, Cisco, and other certification providers for pass rate and employment data
How We Ranked Network Administration Bachelor's Programs
Our ranking methodology prioritizes real-world career outcomes over marketing metrics. We analyzed graduate employment data from College Scorecard and cross-referenced it with Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data for network support specialists. Programs earn higher rankings based on job placement rates, starting salaries, and industry recognition.
Network administration bachelor's programs have evolved significantly to meet enterprise networking demands. Today's top programs integrate cybersecurity fundamentals, cloud computing architectures, and software-defined networking. The median starting salary for network administration graduates reached $58,400 in 2024, with top-tier program graduates earning 15-20% above this benchmark.
Public universities dominate our rankings due to strong industry partnerships and cost efficiency. Arizona State University leads with its comprehensive Cisco Networking Academy integration and 94% graduate employment rate. The program's partnership with major technology companies provides students direct pathways to internships and full-time positions at enterprise organizations.
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.
