Associate's Network Administration Programs in Washington
Whatcom Community College — Bellingham, WA
Hakia Insight: Whatcom Community College embeds vendor certification outcomes into course design rather than treating them as optional add-ons, meaning graduates exit with stackable credentials that Whatcom County government and regional healthcare systems actively screen for during hiring.
At the associate's level, whatcom's network program emphasizes hands-on lab work and vendor certifications that employers actually check for during hiring—you won't just study networking theory, you'll configure routers and manage firewalls on real equipment. The curriculum aligns with CompTIA and Cisco pathways, and the college has established connections with employers throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties who regularly hire graduates for support and junior admin positions. Graduates often cite the small class sizes and instructor access as key to their success in breaking into the field.
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: Whatcom County government, School districts in Whatcom County, Skagit Valley Hospital, Regional healthcare systems, Local government IT departments.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Western Washington University
- Washington State University
- University of Washington
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Support Technician
- Network Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCENT
- Cisco CCNA (pathway)
Location Advantages:
Clover Park Technical College — Lakewood, WA
Key Distinction: Clover Park Technical College offers comprehensive Network Administration programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Clover Park Technical College's Lakewood campus proximity to Tacoma's managed services sector creates an understated regional advantage for associate's students seeking rapid entry into infrastructure operations without the two-year transfer overhead.
Clover Park Technical College offers Network Administration programs in Lakewood, WA. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region. Visit the school's website for current program offerings, admission requirements, and tuition information.
Columbia Basin College — Pasco, WA
Key Distinction: Columbia Basin College delivers a streamlined, affordable two-year network administration pathway targeting immediate employment in regional IT operations, bypassing four-year university costs.
Hakia Insight: Columbia Basin College's focus on Central Washington's energy and agricultural infrastructure sectors creates niche, high-stability employment pathways that coastal Washington programs ignore entirely—rural IT operations often offer better work-life balance than Seattle startup hiring.
At the associate's level, columbia Basin College positions its network administration program as a cost-effective pathway into IT operations roles, emphasizing rapid entry into the job market without the debt burden of four-year universities. The two-year associate degree combines vendor certification preparation (Cisco, CompTIA) with hands-on lab work, enabling students to graduate job-ready for entry and mid-level network technician positions. The program serves Central Washington's agricultural, manufacturing, and energy sectors—industries with genuine infrastructure management needs—so internships and job placements reflect regional demand rather than theoretical markets. Teaching faculty include active IT professionals who understand what regional employers actually need, allowing the curriculum to prioritize troubleshooting, hardware configuration, and practical problem-solving over theoretical computer science foundations. Students regularly complete coursework while already employed in IT support roles, using their studies to move into network administration positions at their current employers or transitions to larger organizations.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- Cisco certification pathway
- CompTIA A+ pathway
Location Advantages: Serves Central Washington agricultural and manufacturing sectorsRegional employer networks in energy and industrial infrastructure
Edmonds College — Lynnwood, WA
Hakia Insight: Edmonds College's location in the Microsoft–Amazon hiring corridor means employers actively recruit from cohorts mid-program; students often secure full-time offers during their second year rather than waiting for graduation.
At the associate's level, network administration students here benefit from a strong tech corridor location—you're in the backyard of Microsoft, Amazon, and dozens of mid-size tech firms actively recruiting graduates. The curriculum emphasizes both CompTIA and Cisco certifications, and instructors maintain industry connections that often translate into internship and job placement opportunities. Many graduates move directly into help desk or junior admin roles at companies within 20 minutes of campus. If you're looking to stay local and get hired quickly, Edmonds' employer partnerships and job placement track record stand out.
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: Microsoft, Amazon, Regional tech startups, Healthcare systems in Snohomish County.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Washington Seattle
- Washington State University
- Western Washington University
- University of Washington Bothell
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Support Specialist
- Network Operations Center Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA Introduction to Networks
- Microsoft Azure fundamentals
Location Advantages:
Lake Washington Institute of Technology — Kirkland, WA
Hakia Insight: Lake Washington Institute of Technology's curriculum evolved directly from employer feedback from Microsoft, Amazon, and Google means the program teaches what those companies actually hire for, not what textbooks say they should—a distinction that matters for day-one productivity.
At the associate's level, lake Washington Tech's network administration program stands apart for its deep connections to the Eastside tech job market and curriculum that evolves directly from what employers tell instructors they need right now. You'll work with current-generation equipment, study for CompTIA and Cisco certifications with real-world labs, and benefit from a location in one of the nation's strongest tech corridors. The institute's reputation with major regional employers means many students get job offers before graduation. If you're aiming for a high-demand field with immediate earning potential in the Seattle metro area, this program's track record of quick job placement is hard to beat.
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: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, T-Mobile, Eastside tech companies, Regional financial institutions.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Washington Seattle
- Washington State University
- University of Washington Bothell
- Western Washington University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Support Specialist
- Network Operations Center Technician
- Junior Systems Administrator
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA Introduction to Networks
- CompTIA Security+
Location Advantages:
South Puget Sound Community College — Olympia, WA
Key Distinction: South Puget Sound Community College provides affordable Network Administration education with flexible scheduling and transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Hakia Insight: South Puget Sound Community College's Olympia location near state government IT operations creates a distinctive pipeline to stable, union-adjacent positions that offer better pension and benefits packages than private-sector entry roles.
South Puget Sound Community College offers Network Administration programs in Olympia, WA. As a public institution and community college, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region. Visit the school's website for current program offerings, admission requirements, and tuition information.
Bellingham Technical College — Bellingham, WA
Hakia Insight: Bellingham Technical College removes prerequisite gatekeeping from its curriculum design, letting students jump directly into networking courses rather than padding semesters with general education—a model that compresses time-to-employment without sacrificing depth.
At the associate's level, bellingham Tech's network administration track is built for students who want to dive into infrastructure work without unnecessary prerequisites—you'll jump into networking concepts and immediately start configuring real equipment. The program's strength is its partnership with local tech employers in Whatcom County who help shape the curriculum and actively hire graduates into help desk and junior admin roles. With proximity to both Western Washington University and the Seattle tech corridor, you have clear pathways to transfer or relocate for larger opportunities.
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: Whatcom County government, Bellingham Public Schools, St. Joseph Medical Center, Bellingham-area tech startups, Regional healthcare systems.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Western Washington University
- Washington State University
- University of Washington
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Technician
- Network Support Specialist
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA (partial)
- Microsoft Windows Server
Location Advantages:
Bellevue College — Bellevue, WA
Key Distinction: A two-year, lab-intensive program designed explicitly for rapid regional tech employment with embedded industry certification pathways and direct partnerships with Pacific Northwest IT employers.
Hakia Insight: Bellevue College's embedded CompTIA and Cisco partnerships mean certification exam vouchers are bundled into tuition, reducing the hidden costs that make other community college programs deceptively expensive when students factor in credential testing.
At the associate's level, bellevue College's network administration program stands out for its intensive hands-on lab environment and direct pathway into the Pacific Northwest's booming tech sector. The curriculum emphasizes practical troubleshooting and real-world infrastructure management through extensive networking labs where students configure, deploy, and maintain enterprise systems before graduation. The program is structured around industry-recognized certifications—particularly CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, and Microsoft certifications—meaning students graduate with credentials that employers in Seattle and the broader region actively recruit for. Faculty bring working experience from the tech industry, and the college maintains active partnerships with regional IT firms, meaning job placement happens through established pipelines rather than cold applications. What sets this program apart from four-year institutions is the focus: no research dissertation requirement, no tangential theory courses, just a concentrated two-year sequence designed for immediate employment. Students typically enter help desk or junior network engineer roles at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and local managed service providers within months of graduation, with the college tracking strong placement in mid-level infrastructure roles within three to five years.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Industry Partners
- CompTIA (nonprofit)
- Cisco (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, T-Mobile.
Accreditations and Certifications
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA eligible
- Microsoft Azure fundamentals
Location Advantages: Proximity to Seattle tech hub (20 minutes)Near major corporate headquarters including Amazon and T-MobileAccess to Puget Sound region managed service providers
Tacoma Community College — Tacoma, WA
Hakia Insight: Tacoma Community College's emphasis on Cisco routing and switching labs reflects deliberate specialization in infrastructure depth rather than breadth—a focus that yields faster progression into mid-tier operations roles than generalist program designs.
At the associate's level, you'll get hands-on experience in Tacoma's network labs where instructors prioritize real-world troubleshooting over theory alone. The program emphasizes Cisco routing and switching fundamentals, preparing you for entry-level support roles at the many tech companies in the Puget Sound region. Graduates typically land help desk or junior network administrator positions within months, and TCC's proximity to Seattle's job market means strong employer connections. The program balances immediate workforce readiness with a clear transfer pathway to UW Tacoma and Western Washington University for students pursuing four-year 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: Puget Sound-area tech companies, Regional healthcare IT departments, State and local government agencies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Washington Tacoma
- Western Washington University
- Washington State University
- University of Washington Seattle
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Support Specialist
- Network Support Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA Introduction to Networks
Location Advantages:
Everett Community College — Everett, WA
Hakia Insight: Everett Community College's instructor hiring from Boeing and aerospace contracting brings exposure to mission-critical infrastructure troubleshooting patterns that commercial networks rarely demand, creating competitive advantage for students targeting defense or aviation sector roles.
At the associate's level, students here work with current networking equipment in a lab environment that mirrors what you'll encounter on the job, with instructors who have recent industry experience in the Puget Sound tech sector. The program combines Cisco fundamentals with CompTIA certifications and includes hands-on packet analysis and network troubleshooting. Everett's location near Boeing and maritime industries creates unique opportunities for IT careers in specialized sectors. Graduates often transition into help desk or junior admin roles locally, with transfer pathways to four-year programs at UW and WSU for those continuing their education.
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: Boeing and aerospace contractors, Port of Everett, Regional healthcare networks, Local government IT departments.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Washington Seattle
- Washington State University
- Western Washington University
- University of Washington Tacoma
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Support Specialist
- Network Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA Introduction to Networks
Location Advantages:
Bachelor's Network Administration Programs in Washington
Green River College — Auburn, WA
Hakia Insight: Green River College's scenario-based curriculum design means bachelor's students graduate with portfolio evidence of real troubleshooting wins rather than theoretical knowledge, a distinction that accelerates promotion out of help desk roles by 12–18 months.
At the bachelor's level, green River builds its network administration program around real-world troubleshooting scenarios you'll encounter on day one as a help desk technician—not abstract networking theory. The college's proximity to the Puget Sound tech ecosystem and partnerships with regional employers means internship and job placement opportunities are built into the curriculum from the start. Graduates commonly report that the program's focus on customer service skills alongside technical competencies gave them an edge in landing their first role and moving up quickly.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Washington
- Washington State University
- University of Washington Bothell
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- IT Support Specialist
- Junior Network Administrator
- Desktop Support Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- Cisco CCENT (pathway)
Location Advantages:
Columbia Basin College — Pasco, WA
Key Distinction: Columbia Basin College delivers a streamlined, affordable two-year network administration pathway targeting immediate employment in regional IT operations, bypassing four-year university costs.
Hakia Insight: Columbia Basin College's bachelor's program serves Central Washington's agricultural automation and energy infrastructure sectors where four-year university graduates rarely compete, creating less saturated job markets and higher placement rates for specialized regional skill sets.
At the bachelor's level, columbia Basin College positions its network administration program as a cost-effective pathway into IT operations roles, emphasizing rapid entry into the job market without the debt burden of four-year universities. The two-year associate degree combines vendor certification preparation (Cisco, CompTIA) with hands-on lab work, enabling students to graduate job-ready for entry and mid-level network technician positions. The program serves Central Washington's agricultural, manufacturing, and energy sectors—industries with genuine infrastructure management needs—so internships and job placements reflect regional demand rather than theoretical markets. Teaching faculty include active IT professionals who understand what regional employers actually need, allowing the curriculum to prioritize troubleshooting, hardware configuration, and practical problem-solving over theoretical computer science foundations. Students regularly complete coursework while already employed in IT support roles, using their studies to move into network administration positions at their current employers or transitions to larger organizations.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- Cisco certification pathway
- CompTIA A+ pathway
Location Advantages: Serves Central Washington agricultural and manufacturing sectorsRegional employer networks in energy and industrial infrastructure
Western Washington University — Bellingham, WA
Key Distinction: Western Washington emphasizes project-based, hands-on infrastructure work where students build and manage real networks, not simulations, from their first courses onward.
Hakia Insight: Western Washington's distinction lies not in proximity to Seattle, but in building real infrastructure from day one—students graduate with portfolios of networks they've actually deployed, not simulated, giving them concrete troubleshooting experience that employers verify immediately during technical interviews.
At the bachelor's level, western Washington's computer science program offers network administration specialization through project-based learning where students design, implement, and troubleshoot actual network infrastructure rather than simulating it. The curriculum emphasizes both Linux and Windows environments alongside vendor-neutral principles, so graduates adapt easily whether they land in open-source infrastructure shops or Microsoft-centric enterprises. Faculty research interests in distributed systems and cybersecurity directly inform course design; students in capstone courses tackle problems faculty are investigating, blurring the line between coursework and research contribution. The program's location in Bellingham provides internship access to regional tech companies and government agencies, while proximity to Seattle (90 minutes south) opens doors to larger employers. Peer learning is central to Western's approach—students collaborate intensively on lab projects and capstone work, developing the teamwork and communication skills that employers consistently cite as critical for network administration roles.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to Bellingham and regional tech employersProximity to Seattle tech corridor (90 minutes)Connection to local government IT infrastructure
Highline College — Des Moines, WA
Hakia Insight: Highline's position in South King County makes it the rare program where entry-level job placement happens before graduation, since regional Puget Sound companies recruit directly from labs where students are already solving their actual infrastructure problems.
At the bachelor's level, highline's networking track gives you direct exposure to the growing tech demands of south King County and Puget Sound companies hungry for entry-level support staff. The program sequences coursework logically from CompTIA fundamentals through Network+ and introduces cloud certification prep, ensuring you're job-ready while keeping transfer options open to UW or WSU. Many graduates move into help desk roles at major employers in the region within months of completing the degree, with a clear advancement pathway to systems administration roles within 2–3 years.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Washington
- Washington State University
- University of Washington Bothell
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- IT Support Specialist
- Junior Systems Administrator
- Desktop Support Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- AWS Cloud Practitioner (pathway)
Location Advantages:
Clark College — Vancouver, WA
Key Distinction: Clark College offers comprehensive Network Administration programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Clark College's Vancouver location creates an overlooked advantage: students can access both Portland's tech corridor and regional Washington employers, yet face significantly lower cost-of-living than peers in Seattle while pursuing identical industry certifications.
Clark College offers Network Administration programs in Vancouver, WA. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region. Visit the school's website for current program offerings, admission requirements, and tuition information.
Yakima Valley College — Yakima, WA
Key Distinction: Yakima Valley College's two-year, certification-embedded program delivers rapid, regionally-relevant network administration training designed for immediate workforce entry in small-to-medium business environments.
Hakia Insight: Yakima Valley's two-year model with embedded Cisco certification isn't a shortcut—it's a precision instrument for small-to-medium business environments where 80% of regional jobs actually exist, making graduates immediately profitable rather than requiring 18 months of on-the-job training.
Yakima Valley College's network administration offerings center on rapid workforce preparation, designed for students who need to enter the job market within two years rather than pursue a four-year degree. The program prioritizes industry-recognized certifications—CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA—as integrated outcomes rather than optional additions, meaning the curriculum directly aligns with what employers immediately hire for. Teaching faculty often work part-time roles in local IT operations, bringing current knowledge about what skills Yakima's regional employers actually demand: managing small-to-medium enterprise networks, remote access infrastructure, and basic security hardening. The two-year pathway makes network administration accessible to working adults and career-switchers, with flexible scheduling options. Equipment in the lab includes Cisco routing and switching gear matched to what regional small businesses typically deploy, ensuring practical relevance. For students needing further credentials, Yakima Valley has articulation agreements with four-year institutions, creating a clear pathway to a bachelor's degree without course redundancy.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
Accreditations and Certifications
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA
Location Advantages: Serves regional Yakima Valley small-business IT market
Bellevue College — Bellevue, WA
Key Distinction: A two-year, lab-intensive program designed explicitly for rapid regional tech employment with embedded industry certification pathways and direct partnerships with Pacific Northwest IT employers.
Hakia Insight: Bellevue's 20-minute proximity to Amazon and Microsoft headquarters translates to something most programs miss: internship rotations that convert into full-time offers before graduation, with CompTIA and Cisco certifications embedded so employers hire based on verified competency, not potential.
At the bachelor's level, bellevue College's network administration program stands out for its intensive hands-on lab environment and direct pathway into the Pacific Northwest's booming tech sector. The curriculum emphasizes practical troubleshooting and real-world infrastructure management through extensive networking labs where students configure, deploy, and maintain enterprise systems before graduation. The program is structured around industry-recognized certifications—particularly CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, and Microsoft certifications—meaning students graduate with credentials that employers in Seattle and the broader region actively recruit for. Faculty bring working experience from the tech industry, and the college maintains active partnerships with regional IT firms, meaning job placement happens through established pipelines rather than cold applications. What sets this program apart from four-year institutions is the focus: no research dissertation requirement, no tangential theory courses, just a concentrated two-year sequence designed for immediate employment. Students typically enter help desk or junior network engineer roles at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and local managed service providers within months of graduation, with the college tracking strong placement in mid-level infrastructure roles within three to five years.
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)
- Cisco (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, T-Mobile.
Accreditations and Certifications
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA eligible
- Microsoft Azure fundamentals
Location Advantages: Proximity to Seattle tech hub (20 minutes)Near major corporate headquarters including Amazon and T-MobileAccess to Puget Sound region managed service providers
Whatcom Community College — Bellingham, WA
Hakia Insight: Whatcom's employer roster—government IT departments, school districts, regional healthcare systems—signals a program optimized for stable, credential-dependent hiring, where vendor certifications function as hard hiring requirements rather than nice-to-haves, fundamentally changing interview dynamics.
At the bachelor's level, whatcom's network program emphasizes hands-on lab work and vendor certifications that employers actually check for during hiring—you won't just study networking theory, you'll configure routers and manage firewalls on real equipment. The curriculum aligns with CompTIA and Cisco pathways, and the college has established connections with employers throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties who regularly hire graduates for support and junior admin positions. Graduates often cite the small class sizes and instructor access as key to their success in breaking into the field.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Whatcom County government, School districts in Whatcom County, Skagit Valley Hospital, Regional healthcare systems, Local government IT departments.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Western Washington University
- Washington State University
- University of Washington
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Support Technician
- Network Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCENT
- Cisco CCNA (pathway)
Location Advantages:
Clover Park Technical College — Lakewood, WA
Key Distinction: Clover Park Technical College offers comprehensive Network Administration programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Clover Park Technical College serves the Tacoma-Olympia corridor where state government and defense contracting demand security clearance-friendly candidates; the program's regional focus prepares students for these higher-barrier, higher-stability roles that national programs rarely spotlight.
Clover Park Technical College offers Network Administration programs in Lakewood, WA. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region. Visit the school's website for current program offerings, admission requirements, and tuition information.
Master's Network Administration Programs in Washington
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus — Tacoma, WA
Key Distinction: UW-Tacoma's program excels at producing immediately job-ready network administrators for mid-market enterprises, with direct industry connections to Pacific Northwest employers and faculty with hands-on systems experience.
Hakia Insight: UW-Tacoma's master's program draws from Boeing, Puget Sound Energy, and Swedish Medical Center partnerships—meaning coursework reflects the specific infrastructure complexity of industrial systems and healthcare networks, not generic enterprise theory, so graduates troubleshoot unfamiliar environments immediately.
At the master's level, UW-Tacoma's School of Engineering and Technology delivers network administration training with a pragmatic focus on the mid-market and enterprise systems that power the Pacific Northwest's diverse economy. The program pairs foundational networking courses with hands-on experience in Windows and Linux server management, network security hardening, and IT service delivery—the skill set that regional employers across finance, manufacturing, healthcare, and government actually need. You'll work in well-equipped labs replicating real network topologies and troubleshooting scenarios that echo problems faced by companies with 500–5,000 employees, the backbone of the region's business landscape. Faculty bring industry experience from roles at Boeing, Puget Sound Energy, and regional healthcare systems, meaning curriculum remains tightly anchored to what hiring managers are looking for today. The program's smaller cohort size—relative to Seattle—creates closer mentoring relationships and easier access to internship placements with local companies. Graduates often secure network administrator or junior network engineer positions immediately upon graduation and report strong advancement into senior technician or team lead roles within 3–5 years, suggesting the foundational rigor translates well to on-the-job growth.
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
- Boeing (corporate)
- Puget Sound Energy (corporate)
- Swedish Medical Center (corporate)
- Washington State Department of Information & Technology (government)
Notable Faculty
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Tacoma/Pierce County industrial and government presence (Boeing, energy, healthcare)Strong regional employer networks and internship pipelinesLower cost of living relative to Seattle with comparable career opportunities
University of Washington-Bothell Campus — Bothell, WA
Key Distinction: UW Bothell embeds cybersecurity-first network design principles throughout its program, not as a separate specialization, giving graduates a competitive edge in security-conscious enterprise roles.
Hakia Insight: UW Bothell embeds cybersecurity-first design as the default rather than an elective, which in practice means graduates design networks defensively from inception—a fundamental mindset shift that separates them from programs treating security as an afterthought during the job interview.
At the master's level, UW Bothell's network administration coursework emphasizes hands-on infrastructure management within a rigorous computer science curriculum, leveraging the Bothell campus's proximity to Seattle's thriving tech ecosystem. Students pursuing network administration specializations gain practical experience in enterprise-scale systems, cybersecurity integration, and cloud infrastructure through labs equipped with Cisco and industry-standard equipment. The program benefits from faculty connections to major regional employers—Amazon, Microsoft, and Google all recruit heavily from UW's computer science pipeline—and students regularly intern at these companies while still completing degree requirements. What distinguishes this pathway is the integration of network security principles throughout the curriculum rather than as an afterthought; students learn threat modeling and defensive architecture from foundational courses onward. Capstone projects frequently involve designing and implementing secure networks for real or simulated enterprise environments, giving graduates portfolio-ready experience. The Bothell campus's collaborative culture and smaller cohort sizes mean closer mentorship from faculty who actively consult for regional tech companies.
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
- Microsoft (corporate)
- Amazon (corporate)
- Google (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, T-Mobile.
Location Advantages: Proximity to Seattle tech corridorAccess to Microsoft and Amazon regional headquartersStrong recruitment pipeline from major cloud providers
City University of Seattle — Seattle, WA
Key Distinction: City University integrates vendor certifications (Cisco, CompTIA, Microsoft) as mandatory curriculum components rather than add-ons, designed for working professionals seeking immediate career acceleration.
Hakia Insight: City University's requirement that Cisco, CompTIA, and Microsoft certifications be curriculum components rather than optional adds means working professionals earn stackable credentials simultaneously with their degree, compressing what typically takes two parallel tracks into one accelerated path.
At the master's level, city University of Seattle delivers network administration education through a working-professional lens, with evening and hybrid course formats designed explicitly for students balancing employment and study. The program prioritizes real-world vendor certifications—Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Security+, and Microsoft Azure pathways are woven directly into degree requirements—so graduates emerge with both a degree and industry-recognized credentials employers demand immediately. Faculty bring active IT operations and systems administration experience; many teach while managing networks at regional organizations, ensuring curriculum stays current with actual industry challenges. Unlike traditional university programs that treat certifications as optional supplements, City University treats them as curriculum milestones, meaning students graduate exam-ready for immediate advancement. The smaller class sizes enable instructors to tailor projects to students' actual workplace environments, so a student managing a mid-sized company network can design their capstone project around that organization's real infrastructure needs.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- Cisco CCNA pathway
- CompTIA Security+ pathway
- Microsoft Azure certifications
Location Advantages: Based in SeattleAccess to Seattle-area IT employers and internship sites
