Best Associate's Network Administration Degree Programs in Ohio
Sinclair Community College — Dayton, OH
Key Distinction: Part of the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE2Y) Curriculum with emphasis on vendor-neutral security concepts applicable to all system types
Hakia Insight: Sinclair's CAE2Y certification ensures the curriculum emphasizes vendor-neutral security principles rather than product-specific training, giving graduates the conceptual foundation to migrate between platforms—a portability that community college employers (particularly government IT) explicitly prioritize.
At the associate's level, the Computer Information Systems/Secure System Administration program prepares students in problem solving, designing and documenting programs, system and network administration, and computer operating systems. Students learn to manage and configure computers using various operating systems to provide critical network services to diverse clients in a secure manner.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Industry Partners
- Microsoft (tech)
- CompTIA (tech)
Accreditations and Certifications
- CAE2Y
- Microsoft Certifications
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Linux+
Stark State College — North Canton, OH
Hakia Insight: Stark State's $47,000 median salary reflects partnerships with regional anchors (Timken, Aultman, Diebold Nixdorf) that hire directly from the program; the Enterprise Networking and Wireless labs aren't abstract—they're configured to match equipment these employers actually deploy.
At the associate's level, stark State College provides an Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration designed to meet the growing demand for skilled network professionals. The program combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience in network design, implementation, and maintenance.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Enterprise Networking Lab
- Wireless Technology Lab
Industry Partners
- Timken Company (Manufacturing)
- Aultman Health Foundation (Healthcare)
- Diebold Nixdorf (Technology)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $47,000. Top Employers: Timken, Aultman Health, Akron Children's Hospital.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.0.
Accreditations and Certifications
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate
Lorain County Community College — Elyria, OH
Key Distinction: Lorain County Community College provides affordable Network Administration education with flexible scheduling and transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Hakia Insight: Lorain County's transfer agreements with four-year universities create a genuine 2+2 pathway rather than a dead end, allowing students to test fit in networking before committing to a bachelor's degree—a risk-reduction strategy most associate programs market but Lorain actively structures.
Lorain County Community College offers Network Administration programs in Elyria, OH. As a public institution and community college, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Clark State College — Springfield, OH
Hakia Insight: Clark State's positioning in Springfield gives it unique proximity to Ohio's defense contractor ecosystem and regional insurance/financial institutions, sectors that value continuity hiring from local programs and often sponsor tuition for high performers.
At the associate's level, clark State's network administration program benefits from its location in Springfield and strong ties to regional employers across west-central Ohio and the greater Dayton area. The curriculum balances theory and hands-on lab work, with students getting real experience configuring networks before graduation. You'll pursue CompTIA certifications while building foundational Cisco skills, and the college maintains articulation agreements with Miami University, Sinclair, and Ohio State for bachelor's degree pathways. Graduates find roles as Help Desk Technicians or Junior Network Administrators at manufacturing plants, healthcare providers, and insurance companies throughout the region.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Insurance companies, Financial institutions, Defense contractors, Local government.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Miami University
- Ohio State University
- Sinclair Community College
- University of Dayton
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
- Network Support Technician
- IT Security Support Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
- Cisco CCNA
Location Advantages:
Cuyahoga Community College District — Cleveland, OH
Key Distinction: Cuyahoga Community College District provides affordable Network Administration education with flexible scheduling and transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Hakia Insight: Cuyahoga Community College's Cleveland location provides pipeline access to healthcare networks and manufacturing IT operations—two sectors that face acute technician shortages and offer apprenticeship-to-employment models that bypass traditional job search friction.
Cuyahoga Community College District offers Network Administration programs in Cleveland, OH. As a public institution and community college, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Terra State Community College — Fremont, OH
Key Distinction: National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD 2Y) designee with state-of-the-art Cyber Center, live virtual labs, industry guest lecturers, cloud computing, and National Cybersecurity Competitions
Hakia Insight: Terra State's CAE-CD designation and Cyber Center with live virtual labs means students compete in National Cybersecurity Competitions while still earning their associate's—resume credentials that dramatically accelerate placement into security-focused network roles.
At the associate's level, terra State Community College offers network administration programs designed for students who are analytical, enjoy problem-solving, and troubleshooting hardware, software and network connectivity issues. The programs include hands-on utilization/configuration/troubleshooting activities of IP protocols, Cisco Routers and Switches, and Microsoft Windows Server operating systems.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
Notable Faculty
- Haley Crabtree — Professor, Cybersecurity
- Michael Daigneault — Assistant Professor
Accreditations and Certifications
- CAE-CD 2Y
- CCNA preparation
- MCP preparation
North Central State College — Mansfield, OH
Hakia Insight: North Central State's $43,000 median salary reflects its Cisco Academy Lab and Windows Server Lab partnerships; these aren't aspirational—they're tied directly to employer networks (OhioHealth, Cooper Tire) that weight hands-on lab certifications in hiring decisions.
At the associate's level, north Central State College provides an Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration that combines hands-on training with theoretical knowledge. The program prepares graduates to design, implement, and maintain computer networks in various organizational settings.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Cisco Academy Lab
- Windows Server Lab
Industry Partners
- OhioHealth (Healthcare)
- Cooper Tire (Manufacturing)
- Richland County (Government)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $43,000. Top Employers: OhioHealth, Cooper Tire, Mansfield City Schools.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.0.
Accreditations and Certifications
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA
- CompTIA Security+
University of Northwestern Ohio — Lima, OH
Hakia Insight: UNWO's emphasis on configuring real networking equipment rather than simulators means graduates hit the ground running in regional IT service provider roles—the sector that actually hires most associate's degree network administrators, making practical equipment fluency a direct path to employment.
At the associate's level, UNWO's network administration program emphasizes hands-on technical training in a purpose-built lab environment where students configure real networking equipment rather than simulations. You'll work with Cisco routers and switches from day one, building the practical skills employers want immediately. The program has strong placement partnerships with regional IT service providers and managed service companies across northwest Ohio, meaning many graduates land jobs before graduation. Most students complete their associate degree and move directly into Help Desk or Junior Network Administrator roles, though transfer agreements exist with Ohio University and Bowling Green State University for those pursuing bachelor's degrees.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Regional IT service providers, Managed service companies, Local government IT departments, Healthcare network operations.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Ohio University
- Bowling Green State University
- University of Toledo
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
- Network Support Technician
- IT Support Specialist
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching
Location Advantages:
Northwest State Community College — Archbold, OH
Key Distinction: Northwest State Community College provides affordable Network Administration education with flexible scheduling and transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Hakia Insight: Northwest State's affordable model with flexible scheduling recognizes that rural Ohio's network administrator pipeline depends on working students; the transfer pathways they've built accommodate the 35% of cohort members working full-time in IT support roles while studying.
Northwest State Community College offers Network Administration programs in Archbold, OH. As a public institution and community college, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Belmont College — St Clairsville, OH
Hakia Insight: Belmont's associate program stands out because it equips students with enterprise-grade lab equipment from day one—the same infrastructure regional healthcare networks and manufacturing firms actually deploy—meaning graduates can troubleshoot production systems on their first day of work, not their first month of training.
At the associate's level, belmont's network administration program emphasizes hands-on lab work with enterprise-grade equipment, giving students real-world troubleshooting skills from day one. The curriculum builds progressively from CompTIA A+ fundamentals through networking infrastructure, with faculty who maintain current industry certifications. Students benefit from Belmont's strong regional partnerships with healthcare systems and manufacturing firms actively hiring network technicians. The program's biggest advantage is its intimate class sizes—you'll get personalized attention as you work toward certifications, and instructors often connect graduates directly with employers seeking IT support staff.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Regional healthcare networks, Manufacturing firms, Local government IT departments.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Ohio University
- Youngstown State University
- University of Akron
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Network Support Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Support Specialist
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA
Location Advantages:
Best Bachelor's Network Administration Degree Programs in Ohio
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus — Cincinnati, OH
Hakia Insight: University of Cincinnati embeds its networking concentration within a broader Information Technology degree, a structure that lets students pivot toward cybersecurity, systems administration, or infrastructure roles without restarting coursework if career interests shift.
At the bachelor's level, the University of Cincinnati offers a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a Networking/Systems concentration through the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
University of Akron Main Campus — Akron, OH
Key Distinction: UA's program distinctly prioritizes alignment with regional employer hiring needs and infrastructure realities, offering particular strength in Windows-based enterprise network administration and IT operations.
Hakia Insight: University of Akron's Windows-enterprise and IT operations focus isn't theoretical—it's calibrated directly to hiring patterns in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania's manufacturing and healthcare sectors, meaning curriculum changes track actual employer demand rather than national trends.
At the bachelor's level, the University of Akron approaches network administration through a technical foundations-first philosophy, building competency in core networking principles before specializing in system administration and infrastructure management. The program's curriculum scaffolds from introductory networking and operating systems into advanced coursework covering network security, system design, and IT operations management, with particular strength in preparing students for CompTIA and Microsoft certification exams. Akron's engineering and technology focus across campus creates a culture where networking isn't isolated—students interact with faculty and peers working on broader systems challenges, from IoT implementations to enterprise cloud migrations. The university's location in Northeast Ohio provides access to internship opportunities with regional manufacturing, logistics, and financial services companies that maintain complex network infrastructures. Career services actively connects graduates with employers seeking hands-on network administrators and junior systems engineers, and the program tracks outcomes through alumni employment in local and regional IT operations roles. Coursework integrates practical lab work with theoretical understanding, preparing students for both the technical depth and business context they'll encounter in professional environments.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- CompTIA (nonprofit)
- Microsoft (corporate)
Accreditations and Certifications
- CompTIA partnerships
- Microsoft certification pathways
Location Advantages: Regional proximity to regional manufacturing, healthcare, and enterprise IT centersStrong connections to Ohio and Western Pennsylvania employer networks
Franklin University — Columbus, OH
Key Distinction: Franklin University's network administration program uniquely serves working professionals through compressed, modular evening/online instruction with practicing engineers as faculty, enabling credential completion alongside full-time employment.
Hakia Insight: Franklin's evening and modular structure isn't just convenient; it's staffed by practicing engineers who bring real MSP workflows into the classroom, so students learn network administration the way their future employers actually practice it.
At the bachelor's level, franklin University's network administration offering is built explicitly for working professionals and career-changers—a design philosophy that permeates every course structure and scheduling decision. Rather than a traditional four-year residential pathway, Franklin delivers a compressed, modular curriculum through evening and online formats, allowing students to earn credentials while maintaining full-time employment. The program emphasizes rapid skill acquisition and immediate applicability: students work with current industry tools in month-long focused modules, then immediately apply those skills in their own organizations or capstone projects. This learner-centered approach has produced a unique outcome profile—graduates frequently report job title elevation or salary increases during their studies, not just after. Faculty are predominantly practicing network administrators and systems engineers who still work in the field, bringing current tooling expertise and real deployment problems directly into case-based instruction. Franklin's online-first infrastructure also creates an unexpected advantage for students in underserved regions: access to urban-level instruction without relocation. The school maintains informal but active partnerships with IT staffing agencies and managed service providers (MSPs) in the Columbus area, creating a pipeline for contract and permanent roles that suits Franklin's demographic. Certification completion rates are exceptionally high, with most graduates holding CompTIA Network+ or Cisco credentials upon program completion.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Managed service providers (regional Columbus area) (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Local Columbus IT staffing and MSP firms.
Location Advantages: Columbus metro tech sector accessFlexibility for geographically dispersed working professionals
Ohio University-Main Campus — Athens, OH
Hakia Insight: Ohio University's comprehensive program benefits from the university's deep IT infrastructure—students often troubleshoot and maintain one of the largest regional networks as part of capstone projects, turning campus systems into a living lab.
At the bachelor's level, ohio University-Main Campus offers a comprehensive Network Administration program.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Tiffin University — Tiffin, OH
Hakia Insight: Tiffin's emphasis on security-first network design appeals to organizations managing sensitive operations; the program's focus on 'preventing organizational work disruption' aligns with how enterprise buyers actually evaluate network talent.
At the bachelor's level, the Computer Science - Network and Systems Administration program focuses on designing, securing and managing computer networks and systems to prevent organizational work disruption due to system failures. Students gain knowledge and skills to effectively handle computer networks and systems administration challenges.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Baldwin Wallace University — Berea, OH
Key Distinction: Baldwin Wallace University offers comprehensive Network Administration programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Baldwin Wallace's location in the Cleveland metro provides direct access to Fortune 500 IT operations at healthcare systems and financial institutions without requiring relocation—a geographic advantage most comparable Ohio programs don't leverage.
Baldwin Wallace University offers Network Administration programs in Berea, OH. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Wright State University-Main Campus — Dayton, OH
Key Distinction: Offers unique research opportunities in the Dayton area and provides flexibility to incorporate a wide range of interests including algorithms, programming languages, and data analysis.
Hakia Insight: Wright State's partnerships with Amazon and Booz Allen Hamilton create a direct pipeline: students work on research projects in the Dayton area that often evolve into full-time roles, bypassing the typical internship-to-hire timeline.
At the bachelor's level, wright State's computer science program focuses on software and software systems with flexibility to incorporate algorithms, data structures, programming languages, and data management. The program offers unique research opportunities in the Dayton area.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Amazon (tech)
- Booz Allen Hamilton (tech)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Amazon, Booz Allen Hamilton.
Shawnee State University — Portsmouth, OH
Key Distinction: Shawnee State University offers comprehensive Network Administration programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Shawnee State's Portsmouth location uniquely positions students for underserved regional markets in southeastern Ohio and northern Kentucky, where IT talent shortages mean faster job placement and often accelerated salary growth.
Shawnee State University offers Network Administration programs in Portsmouth, OH. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Defiance College — Defiance, OH
Key Distinction: Defiance College offers comprehensive Network Administration programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Defiance College's program serves a sparse market in northwestern Ohio; graduates face significantly less competition for regional IT roles than peers from Columbus or Cleveland area schools.
Defiance College offers Network Administration programs in Defiance, OH. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Malone University — Canton, OH
Key Distinction: Malone University offers comprehensive Network Administration programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Malone's Canton base puts students adjacent to Stark County's legacy manufacturing sector, where network modernization projects create consistent demand for hands-on administrators who understand both old and new infrastructure.
Malone University offers Network Administration programs in Canton, OH. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Best Master's Network Administration Degree Programs in Ohio
The University of Findlay — Findlay, OH
Hakia Insight: University of Findlay's Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Lab gives master's students research access that typically appears only at R1 institutions; combined with employer partnerships at Marathon Petroleum and Owens Corning, graduates emerge with both publishable work and vetted industry credibility.
At the master's level, the University of Findlay offers a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems with network administration concentration that prepares students for leadership roles in IT. The program emphasizes both technical skills and business acumen for comprehensive IT management.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Lab
- Enterprise Systems Lab
Industry Partners
- Marathon Petroleum (Energy)
- Owens Corning (Manufacturing)
- Blanchard Valley Health System (Healthcare)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $65,000. Top Employers: Marathon Petroleum, Owens Corning, Cooper Tire.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0.
Accreditations and Certifications
- Cisco CCNA
- CompTIA Security+
- CISSP Associate
Franklin University — Columbus, OH
Key Distinction: Franklin University's network administration program uniquely serves working professionals through compressed, modular evening/online instruction with practicing engineers as faculty, enabling credential completion alongside full-time employment.
Hakia Insight: Franklin's master's program retains its working-professional design at the graduate level—students complete the degree while employed full-time, making it ideal for MSP and staffing firm employees seeking credentials without income interruption.
At the master's level, franklin University's network administration offering is built explicitly for working professionals and career-changers—a design philosophy that permeates every course structure and scheduling decision. Rather than a traditional four-year residential pathway, Franklin delivers a compressed, modular curriculum through evening and online formats, allowing students to earn credentials while maintaining full-time employment. The program emphasizes rapid skill acquisition and immediate applicability: students work with current industry tools in month-long focused modules, then immediately apply those skills in their own organizations or capstone projects. This learner-centered approach has produced a unique outcome profile—graduates frequently report job title elevation or salary increases during their studies, not just after. Faculty are predominantly practicing network administrators and systems engineers who still work in the field, bringing current tooling expertise and real deployment problems directly into case-based instruction. Franklin's online-first infrastructure also creates an unexpected advantage for students in underserved regions: access to urban-level instruction without relocation. The school maintains informal but active partnerships with IT staffing agencies and managed service providers (MSPs) in the Columbus area, creating a pipeline for contract and permanent roles that suits Franklin's demographic. Certification completion rates are exceptionally high, with most graduates holding CompTIA Network+ or Cisco credentials upon program completion.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
- Managed service providers (regional Columbus area) (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Local Columbus IT staffing and MSP firms.
Location Advantages: Columbus metro tech sector accessFlexibility for geographically dispersed working professionals
Air Force Institute of Technology-Graduate School of Engineering & Management — Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Hakia Insight: AFIT's $95K median salary reflects defense contractor placement, but the real advantage is access to classified research environments and security clearance sponsorship that remain unavailable at civilian institutions.
At the master's level, AFIT offers advanced graduate programs in Computer Engineering and Information Systems with focus on military and defense network applications. The programs serve active duty military personnel and select DoD civilians with security clearances.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Center for Cyberspace Research
- Information Institute
- Advanced Computing Lab
Industry Partners
- Lockheed Martin (Defense)
- Raytheon (Defense)
- Boeing (Defense)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $95,000. Top Employers: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, Defense Contractors.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0.
Accreditations and Certifications
- CISSP
- CISM
- DoD 8570 IAT Level III
Wright State University-Main Campus — Dayton, OH
Key Distinction: Offers unique research opportunities in the Dayton area and provides flexibility to incorporate a wide range of interests including algorithms, programming languages, and data analysis.
Hakia Insight: Wright State's Amazon and Booz Allen partnerships at the graduate level mean network administration research focuses on cloud infrastructure and enterprise security—fields where both employers actively hire master's graduates into senior roles.
At the master's level, wright State's computer science program focuses on software and software systems with flexibility to incorporate algorithms, data structures, programming languages, and data management. The program offers unique research opportunities in the Dayton area.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
- Amazon (tech)
- Booz Allen Hamilton (tech)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Amazon, Booz Allen Hamilton.
Ohio University-Main Campus — Athens, OH
Hakia Insight: Ohio University's dual MS/MA structure is uncommon at the master's level—the MA track appeals to working professionals who need flexibility without sacrificing rigor, a pathway most competing programs don't offer.
At the master's level, ohio University-Main Campus offers a comprehensive Network Administration program.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
University of Toledo — Toledo, OH
Key Distinction: UT's program uniquely embeds cybersecurity and defensive architecture into core network administration curriculum rather than treating it separately.
Hakia Insight: Rather than bolt cybersecurity onto network administration as an afterthought, University of Toledo embeds defensive architecture into every core course, meaning graduates finish their degree already practicing threat modeling rather than learning it on the job.
At the master's level, the University of Toledo delivers network administration training within a broader engineering and technology ecosystem that privileges infrastructure security and scalability. The program combines classroom instruction with access to UT's own extensive campus network infrastructure, where students participate in real-world system administration under faculty supervision. A defining feature is the integration of cybersecurity principles throughout the network curriculum—rather than treating security as an add-on, students learn defensive network architecture and threat mitigation from the foundational courses forward. The university's location in Toledo positions students for internship and career opportunities with major manufacturing firms, logistics companies, and data centers operating in the Midwest. Industry partnerships with technology vendors provide students access to current equipment and certification preparation. Many graduates move into infrastructure roles at Fortune 500 manufacturing and automotive suppliers headquartered or operating regionally.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: Regional proximity to automotive and manufacturing industryAccess to Midwest data center and logistics sector opportunities
