Best Value Network Administration Programs 2026

Best Network Administration Programs - Top 10 Best Value — Complete Program Data

1. #1. Utah Valley University

   Location: Orem, UT | Type: Public | Tuition: $5,614/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 74.7

   What makes Utah Valley University stand out: UVU's Network Administration certificate stands out for its dual-track flexibility, allowing students to choose between Linux/UNIX and Windows administration paths while maintaining strong foundations in both enterprise environments that most employers require.

   Hakia Insight: Utah County tech ecosystem

   Program Overview: Utah Valley University's Network Administration Undergraduate Certificate offers a focused 31-credit program designed to prepare students for immediate entry into network administration roles. Housed within the Smith College of Engineering and Technology's Information Systems and Technology Department, this comprehensive certificate combines hands-on training in server administration, computer architecture, and networking fundamentals. Students gain practical experience through courses in Linux/UNIX system administration, Windows server management, data communications, and router configuration, with flexible electives allowing specialization in areas like cybersecurity, computer forensics, or voice and data cabling. The program can be completed in one academic year and features both traditional and online course options, making it accessible for working professionals seeking to transition into IT careers or current students looking to enhance their technical skills.

   Degree Programs: Certificate in Network Fundamentals (1 year); AS in Network and Systems Administration (2 years); BS in Network and Systems Administration (4 years)

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions: GPA: 2.0 minimum GPA required for graduation

2. #2. Kean University

   Location: Union, NJ | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,135/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Score: 70.3

   What makes Kean University stand out: Based on the available information, I cannot identify a specific Network Administration program at Kean University, though the institution offers related technology programs and network research facilities.

   Hakia Insight: Proximity to Newark-based enterprise data centers

   Program Overview: I apologize, but I cannot locate specific information about a Network Administration program at Kean University in the provided sources. The sources contain detailed information about Kean's Public Service and Administration program, Management program, and various Computer Science and Information Technology offerings, but do not reference a dedicated Network Administration program. Kean University's College of Business and Public Management offers programs in Public Service and Administration (B.A.), while the Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology houses Computer Science programs with cybersecurity concentrations and Information Technology degrees. The university does feature a Multimedia and Network Laboratory conducting research in network communications, wireless sensor networks, and multimedia system design under Dr. Patricia Morreale's leadership.

   Degree Programs: Bachelors in Network Administration

   Research Labs: Multimedia and Network Laboratory - Network communications, wireless sensor networks, multimedia system design, and applications in environmental and health areas; Center for Cybersecurity - Provides industry professionals, government agencies, academics, and students necessary skills for cybersecurity awareness and preparedness

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: Cisco Academy affiliation

3. #3. NUC University

   Location: Bayamon, PR | Type: For-Profit | Tuition: $7,314/year | Graduation Rate: 74% | Score: 68.9

   Program Overview: NUC University's Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology with major in Network Administration is a 120-credit program that can be completed in 3 years following the curricular sequence. The program prepares students with knowledge and skills to identify and manage key areas of network operations and administration, including user support and troubleshooting.

   Degree Programs: Bachelors in Network Administration

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

4. #4. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

   Location: Greensboro, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,422/year | Score: 67.4

   What makes University of North Carolina at Greensboro stand out: UNCG embeds business and organizational context into technical network training, producing administrators equipped for supervisory and strategic roles beyond pure infrastructure tasks.

   Hakia Insight: Proximity to Greensboro manufacturing and logistics sector

   Program Overview: UNCG's network administration program sits within a broader information systems curriculum that balances technical depth with business acumen, ideal for students who want to move into infrastructure management and technology leadership roles. Rather than pure technical training, the program weaves networking courses with IT project management, systems thinking, and organizational technology strategy—preparing graduates who understand both how to build networks and why organizations structure them the way they do. The curriculum includes specialized tracks in cloud infrastructure and enterprise systems, reflecting demand for administrators who can manage hybrid on-premise and cloud environments. UNCG's location in Greensboro positions students near a cluster of manufacturing, logistics, and financial services companies that rely on robust network infrastructure; internship placements often lead directly to full-time offers. The program benefits from faculty with both academic credentials and active industry consulting practices, bringing real-world problem-solving into the classroom. Career outcomes tend toward mid-level positions—network engineer, systems administrator, IT operations supervisor—rather than pure help desk roles, suggesting the curriculum's success at preparing students for advancement. Graduates report strong satisfaction with the business context they gained, which many credit for faster promotion trajectories after hire.

   Degree Programs: Bachelors in Network Administration

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

5. #5. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

   Location: Minneapolis, MN | Type: Public | Tuition: $14,496/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 64.6

   What makes University of Minnesota-Twin Cities stand out: UMN's ITI program uniquely blends traditional network administration with modern cloud infrastructure through hands-on labs using industry-standard tools like Cisco, AWS, and Azure, while maintaining 100% job placement rates for graduates within three months.

   Hakia Insight: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's partnerships with IBM and Cray (now HPE) translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities doesn't offer a dedicated Network Administration program, but houses a comprehensive Information Technology Infrastructure (ITI) bachelor's degree through the College of Continuing & Professional Studies. This industry-driven program is specifically designed for working adults and offers a unique "Network and Cloud Infrastructure" specialization that directly addresses network administration skills. The 120-credit program combines traditional networking fundamentals with next-generation cloud technologies, using hands-on labs with Cisco Packet Tracer, AWS VPC, Azure Network Manager, and VMware ESXi. Students learn routing, virtualization, and hybrid-cloud deployment while configuring secure, high-availability systems. The program's partially online format makes it accessible to working professionals, with courses taught by both tenured faculty and industry practitioners who bring real-world experience. The curriculum is informed by an active advisory board that ensures students learn the latest industry practices. Core networking courses include Networking I: Network Infrastructure and Administration (INET 4011) and advanced topics in next-generation networking technologies, cloud essentials, and cloud architecture management.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Engineering (network specialization) (4 years); MS in Computer Science (systems/networking focus) (2 years)

   Research Labs: Minnesota Supercomputing Institute (MSI) - High-performance computing and research data networks; Distributed Computing Systems Lab - Distributed systems and network protocols

   Industry Partners: IBM, Cray (now HPE), Minnesota Department of IT Services

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Mosharaf Chowdhury (Distributed systems and data center networking)

   Admissions: GPA: 2.5 minimum

6. #6. Wentworth Institute of Technology

   Location: Boston, MA | Type: Private | Tuition: $40,410/year | Graduation Rate: 99% | Score: 64.0

   What makes Wentworth Institute of Technology stand out: Wentworth's network administration program prioritizes intensive hands-on lab work and industry-current instruction, producing immediately job-ready administrators without the theory-heavy academic overhead.

   Hakia Insight: Wentworth Institute of Technology's partnerships with Cisco and CompTIA translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: Wentworth's network administration program is built on the institute's core mission: applied technical education with intensive hands-on practice. Rather than emphasize research or theory, the curriculum prioritizes real-world infrastructure management through dedicated networking labs where students deploy and maintain complex multi-protocol networks from day one. Students progress through hands-on courses in LAN/WAN design, routing and switching, network security, and systems administration—all taught in active lab environments that mirror enterprise deployments. Faculty are industry practitioners who bring current certifications and recent field experience into the classroom, ensuring content reflects actual job requirements. A significant strength is the career services infrastructure; Wentworth has long-standing relationships with regional and national tech companies seeking network operations and infrastructure staff, and employers actively recruit from the program. Graduates are job-ready upon completion, often stepping directly into network administrator roles or junior infrastructure positions, valued for their practical competence and familiarity with industry tools.

   Degree Programs: BS in Network Administration (4 years); Associate Degree in Network Administration (2 years)

   Industry Partners: Cisco, CompTIA, Microsoft

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Boston-area enterprise IT firms, Regional managed service providers, Tech companies | Common Roles: Network Administrator, Junior Network Engineer, IT Systems Support, Help Desk/Network Support

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) preparation, CompTIA Network+ alignment

7. #7. Weber State University

   Location: Ogden, UT | Type: Public | Tuition: $5,471/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 63.2

   What makes Weber State University stand out: Weber State combines rigorous networking labs with accessible regional connections and balanced technical breadth, ideal for students seeking both immediate operations roles and foundation for IT leadership.

   Hakia Insight: Weber State University's partnerships with American Technology and ATK translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: Weber State's networking and systems administration program integrates hands-on lab experience with foundational computer science theory, preparing students for both immediate IT operations roles and potential graduate study or specialization. Students work extensively in dedicated networking labs where they configure enterprise switches, design network topologies, implement security controls, and troubleshoot real-world scenarios using Cisco and open-source networking tools. The curriculum balances breadth—operating systems, database fundamentals, cybersecurity principles—with depth in network design and administration, enabling graduates to understand how networks fit into larger IT ecosystems. Faculty members maintain active connections to Northern Utah's growing tech corridor, particularly companies in software development, web services, and manufacturing IT operations, creating internship pathways and guest lecture opportunities. The program emphasizes certifications aligned with career entry points: students are prepared for CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, and security certifications by the time they graduate. Weber State's moderate tuition and location in the Ogden metropolitan area—part of the larger Wasatch Front tech region—make it accessible to local students while attracting others seeking a traditional campus experience with practical IT training. Graduates find roles in network operations, systems administration, and IT support across the region's diverse employers, from small businesses to larger enterprises.

   Degree Programs: Bachelors in Network Administration; Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Network Management (2 years); Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Network Management (4 years); Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Cybersecurity and Network Management (4 years); Cybersecurity and Network Management Minor; Network Technologies Certificate; Cybersecurity Essentials Certificate of Proficiency; Cybersecurity Policy and Management Certificate of Proficiency; Cloud Computing Security Certificate

   Research Labs: National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense - Cybersecurity and defense education

   Industry Partners: American Technology, ATK, Comcast, Hill Air Force Base, Intermountain Healthcare, MarketStar, Ogden City, Utah Highway Patrol

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Mark L. Huson (Cybersecurity and Network Management Program Coordinator); Dr. Zahraddeen Gwarzo (Cybersecurity and Network Management); Andrew Drake (Cybersecurity and Network Management); AJ Hepler (Cybersecurity and Network Management instruction)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA

8. #8. Southern Nazarene University

   Location: Bethany, OK | Type: Private | Tuition: $28,000/year | Graduation Rate: 81% | Score: 58.0

   Degree Programs: Bachelors in Network Administration

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

9. #9. Florida State College at Jacksonville

   Location: Jacksonville, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $2,095/year | Graduation Rate: 89% | Score: 57.7

   What makes Florida State College at Jacksonville stand out: Program designed to provide advanced skills to professionals who know how to create, program, install and maintain high demand computer networks with rolling admissions throughout the term and focus on preparing graduates for leadership roles.

   Program Overview: The Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in Computer Systems Networking degree equips students with technical and management skills required to become dedicated network professionals. The program provides comprehensive understanding of business from the practitioner's perspective, building to mastery of organizational and project management, as well as higher-level technical skills.

   Degree Programs: Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.)

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: network professionals, network virtualization and security specialists

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: SACSCOC

10. #10. DePaul University

    Location: Chicago, IL | Type: Private | Tuition: $43,379/year | Graduation Rate: 86% | Score: 57.1

    What makes DePaul University stand out: DePaul integrates network administration with business context and real corporate partnerships, creating a program where technical skills are learned alongside organizational and security perspectives.

    Hakia Insight: DePaul University's partnerships with Chicago financial services and insurance companies and Chicago healthcare systems translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

    Program Overview: DePaul University's network administration education leverages its location in downtown Chicago and direct connections to enterprise IT to create an applied, business-aware curriculum where networking is taught as both infrastructure technology and organizational asset. The School of Computing offers network-focused courses within computer science and information systems programs, with emphasis on network design, security, and operations in corporate and cloud environments. Distinctive features include labs with current Cisco and network simulation equipment, and close collaboration with Chicago's financial services, insurance, and healthcare sectors—students complete internships managing actual networks at real organizations. The program emphasizes network administration alongside cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure, reflecting how modern roles blend these disciplines. Faculty include practitioners from enterprise IT roles who bring current industry context. DePaul's Vincentian mission and focus on student success means accessible faculty mentoring and career services tailored to IT employment. Graduates typically secure network administrator or junior network engineer positions at Chicago-area enterprises or move into regional IT management tracks quickly.

    Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (Network Administration track) (4 years); BS in Information Systems (Network Administration concentration) (4 years)

    Industry Partners: Chicago financial services and insurance companies, Chicago healthcare systems

    Career Outcomes:

    Admissions: