Best Network Administration Degree Programs in Tennessee — 2026 Rankings

State Aid Programs

Tennessee offers exceptional financial aid opportunities for students pursuing network administration and network engineering degrees. The state's flagship program, Tennessee Promise, covers full tuition and fees at community colleges, making it an ideal entry point for students starting with associate's degrees in network administration. Additionally, Tennessee HOPE provides up to $4,500 per year for eligible students attending four-year institutions, significantly reducing the burden of higher education costs. These state-funded programs are administered through the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and represent a substantial commitment to making IT education accessible. Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at StudentAid.gov to determine eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.

Key Programs & Amounts

Beyond state grants, Tennessee institutions offer institutional scholarships and financial aid packages tailored to network administration majors. Many four-year universities, including those ranked among the best bachelor's programs in network administration, provide merit-based scholarships for strong academic performers. Community colleges participating in the Tennessee Transfer Pathways system ensure that students can transition credits seamlessly while maintaining financial aid eligibility. For detailed guidance on federal aid options, students should visit Federal Student Aid, while comprehensive information about Tennessee-specific programs is available through the Tennessee Higher Education Commission website. Combined with Tennessee's lack of state income tax, these financial advantages make the state particularly affordable for network administration students.

Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a network administration degree in Tennessee. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.

State Transfer System

Tennessee's transfer system provides structured pathways for network administration students moving from two-year to four-year institutions. The Tennessee Transfer Pathways program guarantees that credits earned at 4 associate's degree-granting institutions will transfer seamlessly to the state's 10 bachelor's degree programs in network administration. This system eliminates course redundancy and ensures students complete their degrees efficiently while maintaining cost savings. Students completing an associate's degree at community colleges like Volunteer State Community College, Northeast State Community College, or Pellissippi State Community College can transfer with full junior standing into bachelor's programs, reducing overall time-to-degree and tuition costs.

How Transfers Work

Articulation agreements between Tennessee's community colleges and universities specify which courses fulfill bachelor's degree requirements, allowing students to plan transfer strategies early. The Tennessee Promise program covers community college tuition entirely, making the first two years free before students transfer to four-year institutions where average in-state tuition is $8,520 annually. Transfer students benefit from guaranteed admission standards and reduced application barriers at participating universities. For detailed pathway information and specific course mappings, students should visit Tennessee Transfer Pathways or contact their community college advising office. Combined with Tennessee's state financial aid programs, the transfer pathway system makes network administration degrees highly accessible. Students interested in related IT fields can also explore Information Security in Tennessee or Cloud Computing in Tennessee pathways.

Industry & Workforce

Tennessee offers robust opportunities for network administration students across 17 institutions providing specialized programming at all degree levels (IPEDS). The state hosts 4 associate's programs, 10 bachelor's programs, and 3 master's programs in network administration, creating multiple pathways for learners at different academic stages. Top-ranked institutions like The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Tennessee Technological University, and Middle Tennessee State University provide quality education at affordable public in-state tuition rates averaging $8,520 for four-year institutions (BLS State Data).

Salary Outlook

Tennessee's geographic advantage includes major tech hubs and corporate centers in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, where employers like Amazon, FedEx, Nissan, and HCA Healthcare actively recruit IT professionals. The state's zero state income tax provides a significant financial advantage for graduates building their careers. Additionally, Tennessee's affordability is amplified through state financial aid programs including Tennessee Promise, which covers community college tuition costs. Students can explore related IT pathways through Cloud Computing in Tennessee, Cybersecurity in Tennessee, and Information Security in Tennessee to build comprehensive technical expertise in the networking field.

Employment Outlook

Tennessee's network administration job market is supported by a diverse employer base across multiple metropolitan areas and industry sectors. The state's major metro regions—Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga—all maintain active demand for network administration professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee's technology sector continues to grow, with network infrastructure roles remaining essential across healthcare, logistics, higher education, and automotive manufacturing. The state's lack of income tax provides an additional financial advantage for professionals seeking to maximize earnings potential in this field.

Salaries by Metro

Major employers driving demand for network administrators include Vanderbilt University, HCA Healthcare, Amazon, FedEx, and Nissan, all of which maintain significant operations throughout Tennessee. These organizations require robust network infrastructure and skilled professionals to manage complex IT systems. The Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin metro area, in particular, has emerged as a growing tech hub with substantial opportunities in healthcare IT and corporate technology services. Students pursuing network administration degrees at institutions like The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Middle Tennessee State University can leverage proximity to these employment centers and benefit from established connections between academic programs and regional employers. Career seekers should consult the College Scorecard for detailed employment outcomes from Tennessee institutions offering network administration credentials.

Core Requirements

Network administration curricula across Tennessee institutions emphasize hands-on technical training combined with foundational IT theory. Typical associate's degree programs include core courses in network fundamentals, TCP/IP protocols, routing and switching, network security basics, and operating systems administration. Bachelor's programs expand this foundation with advanced coursework in enterprise network design, network security implementation, systems administration, virtualization technologies, and network monitoring tools. Capstone projects typically require students to design, implement, or troubleshoot complex network infrastructure in lab environments that simulate real-world enterprise scenarios. Many programs incorporate industry-recognized certification preparation, including CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, and Microsoft certifications.

Degree Pathways

Master's-level programs at institutions like Vanderbilt University and Middle Tennessee State University emphasize strategic network management, cloud infrastructure, advanced security architecture, and IT leadership. Thesis or capstone research projects may focus on emerging technologies such as software-defined networking (SDN), network automation, or cybersecurity threat analysis. Students work with industry-standard tools and platforms alongside faculty research labs. Related specializations in Cybersecurity in Tennessee and Information Technology in Tennessee allow students to customize their technical focus. Curriculum design aligns with ABET accreditation standards where applicable, ensuring industry-recognized quality and relevance.

Online Program Growth

Tennessee's network administration programs are available in both traditional campus and online formats, providing flexibility for working professionals and place-bound students. Top institutions offering online bachelor's degrees include Vanderbilt University, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville ($11,332), Tennessee Technological University ($8,764), Middle Tennessee State University ($7,536), and East Tennessee State University ($7,706). The online rankings mirror the traditional campus rankings, indicating comparable academic quality and rigor across delivery methods. Online programs offer the advantage of self-paced learning while maintaining access to the same faculty expertise, laboratories, and certification preparation resources available to campus-based students. This flexibility proves particularly valuable for students employed in IT support roles seeking to advance their credentials without disrupting their careers.

Accredited Online Options

Campus-based programs provide hands-on networking labs, direct faculty mentorship, and on-campus networking opportunities essential for building professional relationships within Tennessee's major tech hubs. Cities like Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga offer internship and employment opportunities with major employers including Vanderbilt University, HCA Healthcare, Amazon, FedEx, and Nissan. Students should review the online bachelor's programs ranking and compare with best bachelor's programs to determine which format aligns with their learning preferences and career goals. Both delivery methods prepare students for industry certifications and provide comparable graduation rates, making the choice primarily dependent on individual circumstances and learning style preferences rather than educational quality.

Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin represents Tennessee's largest and fastest-growing metro area for technology careers, offering robust opportunities in healthcare IT, corporate services, and growing tech startups. The region benefits from proximity to Vanderbilt University and numerous HCA Healthcare facilities, creating concentrated demand for network infrastructure specialists. Memphis serves as West Tennessee's primary tech hub, driven by FedEx's massive logistics operations and related corporate technology needs. Knoxville offers strong opportunities centered around The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and regional manufacturing and research sectors. Chattanooga, meanwhile, has developed a notable tech ecosystem and maintains substantial healthcare and professional services employment. All four metros benefit from Tennessee's lack of state income tax, allowing professionals to retain more of their earnings compared to neighboring states.

When selecting where to pursue network administration education, students should consider proximity to these employment centers. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville serves the Knoxville metro directly, while Middle Tennessee State University is positioned in Murfreesboro within the Nashville metro region. East Tennessee State University provides access to the broader East Tennessee job market. For those seeking affordable programs with strong local networks, Tennessee's community college system offers Associate's degrees through institutions like Volunteer State Community College and Northeast State Community College, both priced at $4,224 annually and accessible through Tennessee Transfer Pathways. Explore related opportunities in Cloud Computing in Tennessee for broader technology career considerations in these metro areas.

Last Updated: February 15, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2023 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.