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Key Takeaways
Best network administration degree programs: Green River College, Columbia Basin College, Western Washington
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $3,195 to $13,965/year
Whatcom Community College offers the most affordable option at $3,633/yr
Network Administration degree programs available: 25 associate's, 3 master's in Washington
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
5 online network administration degree programs in Washington
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Washington community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
25 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, Expedia
Tech hubs in Seattle and Bellevue
Hakia Research 2026
Network Administration degree programs near 43+ cities across Washington
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated July 13, 2026
How we ranked Washington Network Administration programs
We rank 37 accredited network administration programs in Washington using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Network Administration Degree Programs in Washington Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Network Administration Degree Rankings in Washington
Compare the top-ranked Network Administration programs in Washington by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Network Administration Programs in Washington
Program Landscape
Washington offers 25 accredited associate's degree programs in network administration, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Whatcom Community College, Clover Park Technical Col..., Columbia Basin College, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Washington offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $4,348/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $79,877 in Washington.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Washington's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among network administration schools in Washington, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their network administration degrees in Washington.
Best Bachelor's Network Administration Programs in Washington
Program Landscape
Washington ranks among the nation's top destinations for network administration education, with 9 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 9 public and 0 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Green River College, Columbia Basin College, Western Washington, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Washington network administration programs earn a median salary of $123,446, 26% above the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $3,633 to $7,997 annually, with an average of $4,844/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 84%, with the highest reaching 99%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Washington's leading technology employers. For students seeking network administration degrees in Washington, these top-ranked network administration schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Network Administration Degree Costs & Tuition in Washington
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $5,259/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $13,148/year |
| Community college tuition | $1,315/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $31,556 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $7,888 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Network Administration Students in Washington
State Aid Programs
Washington offers substantial financial aid for Network Administration students, from state grants covering most tuition costs to institutional scholarships and federal programs. The Washington College Grant (WCG) provides up to $10,868 annually for eligible residents attending public four-year universities, based on family income and financial need (WSAC).
Key Programs & Amounts
The WCG is one of the nation's most generous state grant programs, covering tuition for families earning up to $100,000 annually at reduced rates. Students attending community colleges receive proportionally scaled awards covering significant portions of tuition. Federal financial aid supplements state programs. Pell Grants provide up to $7,395 annually for undergraduate students demonstrating financial need.
Institutional Scholarships
Federal Direct Loans offer $5,500-$7,500 annually for dependent undergraduates, with higher limits for independent students. Graduate students in Network Administration master's programs can borrow up to $20,500 annually through federal loans. All federal aid requires FAFSA completion, due by the state's priority deadline of late January for optimal award consideration.
Institutional scholarships enhance affordability.
UW Tacoma awards merit scholarships ranging from $2,000-$10,000 annually for high-achieving students in the School of Engineering & Technology. Community colleges offer foundation scholarships, often $500-$2,000, for technology program students.
Many employers provide tuition assistance for employees pursuing Network Administration degrees, with Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing offering $5,250-$12,000 annual education benefits. Veterans can apply GI Bill benefits covering full tuition plus housing allowances at Washington institutions. Work-study programs provide employment opportunities supporting academic success while building relevant experience.
Network Administration Degree ROI Calculator, Washington
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a network administration degree in Washington. 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.
Network Administration Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a network administration degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+1168%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$2,161,658
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$110,000
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Network Administration Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Washington metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Seattle | $160K |
| Bellevue | $152K |
| Redmond | $145K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Network Administration Graduates in Washington
Find network administration jobs in Washington. These major employers across Washington metro areas are actively hiring network administration degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Network Administration Jobs in Seattle
WASeattle is home to Amazon and Microsoft headquarters, plus major engineering offices for Google, Meta, and other tech giants.
Nearby cities: Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Tacoma, Renton
Network Administration Jobs in Bellevue/Eastside
WAThe Eastside corridor houses Microsoft's main campus in Redmond, Nintendo of America, and T-Mobile's headquarters.
Nearby cities: Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Sammamish
Washington Tech Industry & Infrastructure
Washington's tech economy is essentially defined by Microsoft and Amazon. The Seattle metro hosts the headquarters of both, plus major engineering offices for Google, Meta, Apple, and a dense second-tier of cloud, AI, and enterprise tech employers. With no state income tax and University of Washington's CS program at the top of the western US, Washington consistently posts the highest tech-job concentration per capita of any US state.
Seattle / Bellevue / Redmond
Seattle metropolitan area
Headquarters of Microsoft (Redmond) and Amazon (Seattle); major engineering offices for Google, Meta, Apple, Tableau, Tableau, Expedia, Zillow, Costco IT. UW is the dominant CS feeder; total-comp at named employers regularly clears $200K for new bachelor's grads.
Spokane / Eastern Washington
Spokane metro
Smaller tech market focused on healthcare-IT (Providence), defense (Fairchild AFB-adjacent), and growing remote-work tech employment. Whitworth and WSU-Spokane feed the local market.
No state income tax. Washington levies a Business and Occupation tax on gross receipts that tech employers factor into compensation structures.
Washington Regulation Affecting Network Administration Graduates
Washington has emerged as one of the more active state legislatures on AI, biometric privacy, and consumer health data. The 2024 My Health My Data Act in particular is among the strictest US consumer health-data laws and shapes engineering practice at any company touching health-adjacent data.
Washington My Health My Data Act (MHMD)
Effective March 2024. Imposes strict requirements on collection, use, and sharing of consumer health data — broadly defined to include data inferring health status. Provides a private right of action.
Engineers at any company processing wellness, fitness, mental-health, or biometric data of WA users must implement consent, geofencing, and data-sharing restrictions. The law's broad scope of 'health data' makes it relevant for surprising amounts of consumer-tech work.
Read moreWashington Biometric Identifiers Act
Requires notice and consent before enrolling biometric identifiers in a database for commercial purposes.
Similar in shape to Illinois BIPA though narrower; engineers building biometric features for WA users must implement consent flows.
Read moreWashington AI legislation (HB 1394 et al.)
Washington has passed and continues to develop AI-specific legislation around government use, deepfake elections content, and consumer disclosure.
AI/ML engineers building products serving WA users should monitor evolving disclosure and bias-audit requirements.
Read moreProfessional Engineer Licensure in Washington
Washington does not currently administer a separate Software Engineering PE license. Standard engineering disciplines require ABET-EAC accreditation for PE eligibility; software engineering is not a Washington-recognized PE discipline.
Washington licensing boardWashington Financial Aid Programs
Washington College Grant (WA Grant)
State grantUp to $11,840/yr at public 4-year, up to $4,180/yr at community college
WA residents with family income up to ~70% of state median income (~$70,000)
College Bound Scholarship
State scholarship (early commitment)Covers tuition and fees at participating WA institutions
WA students who sign up in 7th-8th grade with family income at or below 65% state median income; must maintain 2.0+ GPA and stay crime-free
Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)
Application portalN/A — application channel
WA students ineligible for federal FAFSA (e.g., undocumented) — opens access to state aid programs
Opportunity Scholarship (STEM-specific)
STEM merit-need scholarshipUp to $22,500 total (across 5 years)
WA students pursuing STEM or healthcare bachelor's at participating WA institutions with family income at or below 125% state median
Transfer Pathways for Network Administration Degrees in Washington
State Transfer System
Washington's statewide articulation system provides excellent transfer pathways for Network Administration students, enabling seamless progression from community colleges to four-year universities. The Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) guarantees admission to Washington public universities for students completing designated associate degrees with satisfactory academic performance (SBCTC Transfer).
How Transfers Work
Students earning DTA associate degrees receive guaranteed admission to a state university (though not necessarily to specific programs or campuses). This pathway reduces total bachelor's degree costs by $20,000-$40,000 compared to four-year enrollment. The Computer Science Major Related Program (MRP) provides structured transfer pathways specifically for technology majors, ensuring community college students complete appropriate prerequisites for competitive admission to UW system computing programs.
Transfer Planning Tips
The AS-T Track 2 degree emphasizes mathematics, science, and computing prerequisites aligned with four-year program requirements. Community college advisors help students navigate prerequisites for specific programs including UW Tacoma's Information Technology major. Washington's Statewide Course Numbering System ensures equivalent courses transfer seamlessly among all public institutions.
Articulation agreements help specific pathways.
Edmonds College maintains transfer agreements with UW Tacoma, Western Washington University, and Eastern Washington University for technology programs. Bellevue College's Computing and Software Development pathway articulates directly to UW Bothell programs.
Green River College's IT degree transfers to Central Washington University's Information Technology major. Running Start enables high school students to earn college credits tuition-free at community colleges, with 1,840 Running Start participants enrolling at UW in autumn 2025 alone. Students can complete general education and introductory networking coursework at community college (average tuition ~$4,200/year) before transferring to complete specialized upper-division coursework at four-year institutions.
Washington Take-Home Pay Advantage
Source: Washington Department of Revenue
Network Administration Job Market & Salary Data in Washington
Employment Outlook
Washington's Network Administration job market benefits from the unprecedented concentration of cloud computing infrastructure and enterprise technology headquarters in the region. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3% growth for network and computer systems administrators nationally from 2024-2034, but Washington's market significantly outperforms this baseline due to continued data center expansion and enterprise cloud adoption (BLS OOH).
Salaries by Metro
Network administrators earned a national median salary of $96,800 in May 2024, with Washington employers paying substantial premiums that push typical compensation to $105,000-$125,000 for experienced professionals. Cloud network engineers with AWS or Azure certifications command even higher salaries, often $140,000-$175,000 at major tech employers.
High-Growth Sectors
Regional salary variations reflect employer concentration: The Seattle-Bellevue metro leads with median network administrator salaries approximately 20% above national averages, driven by Microsoft (54,000 regional employees), Amazon (50,000+ in Seattle, 14,000 in Bellevue), and enterprise tech firms. Boeing's global engineering operations require extensive network infrastructure management across manufacturing facilities.
Defense contractors including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and numerous government contractors at Joint Base Lewis-McChord create additional demand for network professionals with security clearances. Spokane and Eastern Washington offer lower salaries ($75,000-$95,000) but reduced cost of living, with growing remote work opportunities allowing network professionals to support Seattle-based operations while living affordably (WA Employment Security).
High-growth specializations driving Washington's network administration demand include: cloud networking (AWS VPC, Azure Virtual Networks), software-defined networking (SDN), network security and zero-trust architecture, wireless and 5G infrastructure, and DevOps/NetOps automation. For related career paths, explore our cloud computing programs, cybersecurity degrees, or IT programs.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Network Administration Programs in Washington
Online Programs
5 available in Washington
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Network Administration Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 11
- Median Tuition
- $5,000
- Total Programs
- 10
- Median Tuition
- $5,300
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- 72
- Median Tuition
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- Total Programs
- 53
- Median Tuition
- $6,000
- Total Programs
- 55
- Median Tuition
- $14,400
- Total Programs
- 19
- Median Tuition
- $48,600
- Total Programs
- 22
- Median Tuition
- $14,700
- Total Programs
- 16
- Median Tuition
- $8,800
Network Administration Degree Programs in Washington: FAQ
What are the best network administration degree programs in Washington?
How much do network administration degree programs cost in Washington?
What salary can network administration degree graduates earn in Washington?
Are there online network administration degree programs in Washington?
What companies hire network administration degree graduates in Washington?
Is a network administration degree program worth it in Washington?
How long do network administration degree programs take in Washington?
What financial aid is available for network administration degree students in Washington?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Washington salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.