New York university campus with modern technology buildings and NYC skyline in background
Updated December 2025 | Data: IPEDS 2023, BLS 2024

Best Network Administration Programs in New York 2025

Ranking 20 accredited network administration programs across SUNY, CUNY, and private universities. SUNY Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Pace University lead with strong industry connections and 85%+ graduation rates.

Programs Ranked20
Total in State35+
Median Salary$95,240
Job Growth+5%

Top 3 Network Administration Programs in New York 2025

🥇 #1

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

New York, NYPublic

202 Network Administration graduates annually, 90% graduation rate

$7K
Tuition/yr
90%
Grad Rate
88.3
Score
🥈 #2

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NYPrivate

89 Network Administration graduates annually, 90% graduation rate

$56K
Tuition/yr
90%
Grad Rate
69.5
Score
🥉 #3

University at Albany

Albany, NYPublic

57 Network Administration graduates annually, 99% graduation rate

$7K
Tuition/yr
99%
Grad Rate
67.3
Score
Key Takeaways
  • 1.New York has 35+ accredited network administration and IT infrastructure programs across SUNY, CUNY, and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
  • 2.SUNY Institute of Technology ranks #1 with 89% graduation rate and comprehensive Cisco networking curriculum
  • 3.Network administrators in New York earn median $95,240 annually—18% above the national median (BLS New York 2024)
  • 4.NYC financial sector provides 45,000+ IT infrastructure jobs with average salaries exceeding $105,000
  • 5.Major employers include JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, IBM, Verizon, and ConEdison with active campus recruiting

Network Administration Education in New York

New York offers exceptional opportunities for network administration education, combining world-class academic institutions with unparalleled access to major corporations and financial institutions. The state's diverse tech ecosystem spans from Wall Street's financial networks to Albany's government infrastructure and Buffalo's growing tech corridor.

For national comparisons, see our best network administration programs ranking across all states. Students considering related fields should explore our cybersecurity programs in New York or information technology programs in New York. Career-focused students should review our network administrator salary trends and IT certification guides.

New York's network administration programs emphasize hands-on learning through state-of-the-art labs, industry partnerships, and internship opportunities with major employers. The proximity to financial centers provides unique specialization opportunities in trading floor networks, data center management, and enterprise security infrastructure.

Rank
1CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York, NYPublic$6,93090%88.3
2Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NYPrivate$55,78490%69.5
3University at AlbanyAlbany, NYPublic$7,07099%67.3
4Marist CollegePoughkeepsie, NYPrivate$45,330100%64.5
5Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NYPrivate$61,31099%59.9
6SUNY College of Technology at AlfredAlfred, NYPublic$7,07090%56.8
7Farmingdale State CollegeFarmingdale, NYPublic$7,07079%55.2
8United States Military AcademyWest Point, NYPublic$054.6
9Excelsior UniversityAlbany, NYPrivate$052
10Monroe CollegeBronx, NYFor-Profit$15,91250
11St. John's University-New YorkQueens, NYPrivate$48,30149
12Mercy UniversityDobbs Ferry, NYPrivate$21,23675%48.9
13SUNY Polytechnic InstituteUtica, NYPublic$7,07048.8
14St Bonaventure UniversitySaint Bonaventure, NYPrivate$38,95076%48.8
15Touro UniversityNew York, NYPrivate$18,95044.8
16SUNY College of Technology at CantonCanton, NYPublic$7,07044.5
17Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NYPrivate$54,33544.4
18St. John Fisher UniversityRochester, NYPrivate$38,56642.3
19SUNY College of Technology at DelhiDelhi, NYPublic$7,07040.6
20SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at CobleskillCobleskill, NYPublic$7,07039.3
21Mount Saint Mary CollegeNewburgh, NYPrivate$39,82039
22Wagner CollegeStaten Island, NYPrivate$50,20037.3
23DeVry College of New YorkNew York, NYFor-Profit$14,39233.9

Top 5 Network Administration Programs in New York: Side-by-Side

SchoolNYUCUNY John Jay College of...Rochester Institute of...University at AlbanySyracuse
Rank
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
In-State Tuition
$60,438
$6,930
$55,784
$7,070
$61,310
Graduation Rate
N/A%
90%
90%
99%
99%
Annual Graduates
224
202
89
57
27
Acceptance Rate
9%
57%
71%
70%
42%
Type
Private
Public
Private
Public
Private
Score
87.8/100
86.5/100
71.8/100
69.7/100
66.6/100

Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Network Administration in New York

New York offers 23 bachelor's-level network administration programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Rochester Institute of Technology, University at Albany. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $91,497 in the New York market.

A bachelor's in network administration typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Network Administration Bachelor's Programs guide.

Top 3 Network Administration Bachelor's Programs in New York

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 CUNY John Jay College of...
$6,930
90%
202
86.5
#2 Rochester Institute of...
$55,784
90%
89
71.8
#3 University at Albany
$7,070
99%
57
69.7

Top Network Administration Schools for Master's Degrees in New York

For graduate study, New York offers 15 master's-level network administration programs. Leading institutions include New York University, Syracuse University, Fordham University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in New York reaching $169,923 or more.

Top 3 Network Administration Master's Programs in New York

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 NYU
$60,438
N/A%
224
87.8
#2 Syracuse
$61,310
99%
27
66.6
#3 Fordham
$60,335
94%
40
65.0

Most Affordable Network Administration Colleges in New York

For budget-conscious students, the most affordable network administration programs in New York are at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice ($6,930/year), CUNY City College ($6,930/year), University at Albany ($7,070/year). These programs offer strong ROI given New York's competitive tech salaries.

At CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, a 4-year degree costs approximately $27,720 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $91,497, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.5 years.

Most Affordable Network Administration Programs in New York (with ROI)

SchoolAnnual Tuition4-Year CostPayback PeriodType
#1 CUNY John Jay College of...
$6,930
$27,720
0.5 years
Public
#2 CUNY City College
$6,930
$27,720
0.5 years
Public
#3 University at Albany
$7,070
$28,280
0.5 years
Public
#1

New York University

New York, NYPrivate

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • Annual Tuition: $60,438 (in-state)
  • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • Network Administration Graduates: 224 annually
  • Acceptance Rate: 9%
  • Ranking Score: 87.8 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 224 network administration graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 87.8 / 100

Why Ranked #1

Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (224 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (9% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#2

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

New York, NYPublic

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • Annual Tuition: $6,930 (in-state)
  • Graduation Rate: 90% (IPEDS 2023)
  • Network Administration Graduates: 202 annually
  • Acceptance Rate: 57%
  • Ranking Score: 86.5 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 90% graduation rate
  • 202 network administration graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 86.5 / 100

Why Ranked #2

Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (90%), program size (202 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (57% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#3

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NYPrivate

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • Annual Tuition: $55,784 (in-state)
  • Graduation Rate: 90% (IPEDS 2023)
  • Network Administration Graduates: 89 annually
  • Acceptance Rate: 71%
  • Ranking Score: 71.8 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 90% graduation rate
  • 89 network administration graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 71.8 / 100

Why Ranked #3

Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (90%), program size (89 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (71% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#4

University at Albany

Albany, NYPublic

Delivery:On-Campus
Visit Program

Program Highlights

  • Annual Tuition: $7,070 (in-state)
  • Graduation Rate: 99% (IPEDS 2023)
  • Network Administration Graduates: 57 annually
  • Acceptance Rate: 70%
  • Ranking Score: 69.7 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 99% graduation rate
  • 57 network administration graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 69.7 / 100

Why Ranked #4

Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (99%), program size (57 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (70% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

Why Choose This Program

The BS in Informatics program creates critical bridges between IT and computing through interdisciplinary skills, offering both online and on-campus options with four specialized concentrations including emerging fields like AI/Machine Learning and Health Informatics.

Available Specializations / Concentrations
Health InformaticsArtificial Intelligence and Machine LearningLibrary and Information ServicesInteractive User Experience
#5

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NYPrivate

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • Annual Tuition: $61,310 (in-state)
  • Graduation Rate: 99% (IPEDS 2023)
  • Network Administration Graduates: 27 annually
  • Acceptance Rate: 42%
  • Ranking Score: 66.6 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 99% graduation rate
  • 27 network administration graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 66.6 / 100

Why Ranked #5

Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (99%), program size (27 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (42% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

$65,000
Starting Salary
$95,240
Mid-Career
+5%
Job Growth
8,500
Annual Openings

Career Paths

Network Administrator

SOC 15-1244
+5%

Design, implement, and maintain computer networks for organizations. Manage routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless systems.

Median Salary:$95,240

Network Engineer

SOC 15-1241
+8%

Plan and implement network infrastructure projects. Design network architectures and troubleshoot complex connectivity issues.

Median Salary:$108,570

Systems Administrator

SOC 15-1244
+5%

Install, configure, and maintain computer systems and servers. Ensure network security and data backup procedures.

Median Salary:$89,760

Protect network infrastructure from security threats. Implement security protocols and monitor for breaches.

Median Salary:$119,850

Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

SOC 15-1241
+15%

Design and manage cloud-based network solutions. Work with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms.

Median Salary:$125,000

New York University Systems for Network Administration

New York's public university systems offer exceptional value for network administration education. The State University of New York (SUNY) system includes 64 campuses with strong IT programs, while the City University of New York (CUNY) system provides affordable options within NYC.

The SUNY system excels in technology education, with SUNY Institute of Technology leading in specialized IT programs. Other notable SUNY campuses include Buffalo (strong in enterprise networking), Albany (government sector focus), and Oswego (regional business connections). These programs typically cost $8,000-$10,500 annually for in-state students.

CUNY institutions like John Jay College and Brooklyn College offer network administration programs with NYC market access at extremely affordable tuition rates around $7,340 annually. These programs emphasize practical skills needed for the city's diverse technology landscape.

Private institutions like Rochester Institute of Technology and Syracuse University offer premium programs with extensive industry connections, though at significantly higher costs. Consider exploring our computer science programs in New York for broader technology education options or information technology programs in New York for related fields.

Other Tech Degree Programs in New York

Network Administration Programs by State

Which Should You Choose?

Choose New York if you want:
  • Access to major financial services and technology companies
  • Diverse internship opportunities in multiple industries
  • Strong SUNY system providing affordable quality education
  • Proximity to NYC's tech ecosystem and networking events
  • Career opportunities in government, finance, and healthcare sectors
Consider other states if you prefer:
  • Lower cost of living and housing expenses
  • Warmer climate year-round
  • Less competitive job market for entry-level positions
  • Stronger focus on emerging tech sectors like gaming or aerospace
  • More affordable tuition at top-tier institutions

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Network Administration Programs

Ranking Methodology

Based on 20 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024

Program Strength35%

Network Administration degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources

Graduation Rate25%

6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)

Selectivity20%

Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)

Career Outcomes20%

State-specific network administration salaries from BLS OES 2024

Related Network Administration Resources

Data Sources and Methodology

Graduation rates, enrollment data, and institutional characteristics from the 2023 survey cycle

New York state salary data for network administrators and related occupations, May 2024

CompTIA IT Skills and Salary Report 2024

Industry certification requirements and regional salary trends for IT professionals

Program accreditation status and transfer credit policies for SUNY and CUNY institutions

Taylor Rupe

Taylor Rupe

Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)

Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.