Home Majors Computer Networking
Academic Field / Computer & Information Sciences

Computer Networking

Students study network design, cybersecurity, wireless systems, cloud infrastructure, and the protocols that connect computers and devices across the internet. Graduates typically pursue careers as network engineers, cybersecurity analysts, cloud architects, and telecommunications specialists. With cybersecurity threats growing and cloud computing expanding, networking professionals are in exceptionally high demand.

Schools
41
Programs analyzed
Earnings
$58,164
Avg 1-yr grad earnings
Range $26,519–$73,367
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Field Overview

What Computer Networking graduates do

Your degree prepares you to build and secure the digital highways our world runs on. You won’t just be learning theory; you’ll be prepared for the hands-on reality of these roles. As an information security analyst, you might spend your day hunting for vulnerabilities in a corporate network or responding in real-time to a phishing attack. On the network side, you could start in a support role, troubleshooting connectivity issues for a trading floor, and eventually progress to a network architect, designing a multinational company’s entire cloud infrastructure.

While roles in cybersecurity are seeing explosive growth, be aware that traditional programming jobs are in decline. AI is fundamentally reshaping this field. With an average 71% AI exposure across these careers, tools now automate much of the routine scripting and configuration that junior staff once handled, making entry-level positions more competitive. Your long-term value will not be in simply executing commands, but in designing the complex systems AI helps build, validating its output, and making critical judgment calls during a system failure.

Students weighing Computer Networking often also consider Computer Science, Information Sciences, and Software Development — compare earnings, ROI, and AI outlook side by side.

Career Trajectories

Where Computer Networking graduates work

Common career paths for Computer Networking graduates, with median salaries, projected growth, and AI exposure per role. Roughly 258,000 combined openings per year across these roles.

Role Median Pay Annual Openings 10-yr Growth AI Exposure
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
$134K–$216K
55,600 +15.2% High · 53%
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
$103K–$181K
3,200 +19.7% High · 63%
Database architects
$135,980
$108K–$169K
4,000 +8.7% Very High · 94%
Software developers
$133,080
$103K–$169K
115,200 +15.8% Very High · 87%
Computer network architects
$130,390
$102K–$164K
11,200 +11.9% High · 61%
Information security analysts
$124,910
$92K–$160K
16,000 +28.5% High · 65%
Computer systems analysts
$103,790
$81K–$132K
34,200 +8.7% Moderate · 48%
Computer programmers
$98,670
$72K–$129K
5,500 -6.0% Very High · 95%
Computer science teachers, postsecondary
$96,690
$65K–$132K
3,500 +5.3% High · 51%
Computer network support specialists
$73,340
$57K–$96K
9,600 +1.8% High · 63%
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).
Top Institutions

Best schools for Computer Networking

Schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score (earnings × AI resilience × ROI × job-market size). Top 10 of 41.

Rank #1 · DegreeOutlook Score 85
Weber State University
Ogden, UT · Public
$71,941 1-yr earnings
32.9x ROI multiple
Very High AI risk
# School DW Score 1-yr Earnings ROI
5 Ohio University-Eastern Campus
Saint Clairsville, OH · Public
81 $61,788 30.1x
6 Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus
Chillicothe, OH · Public
81 $61,788 30.1x
7 Ohio University-Southern Campus
Ironton, OH · Public
81 $61,788 30.1x
8 Ohio University-Lancaster Campus
Lancaster, OH · Public
81 $61,788 30.1x
9 Ohio University-Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, OH · Public
81 $61,788 30.1x
10 Florida State College at Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL · Public
79 $53,888 60.3x
11 University of Phoenix-Arizona
Phoenix, AZ · Private for-profit
78 $65,474 17.0x
12 University of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH · Public
78 $60,944 14.9x
13 Illinois State University
Normal, IL · Public
77 $66,801 12.2x
14 Ohio University-Main Campus
Athens, OH · Public
76 $61,788 13.0x
15 Park University
Parkville, MO · Private nonprofit
75 $71,601 10.5x
16 Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit
74 $73,367 4.2x
17 University of Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth, MN · Public
74 $51,291 13.3x
18 Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
72 $68,056 5.0x
19 DeVry College of New York
New York, NY · Private for-profit
71 $60,540 9.5x
20 DeVry University-Arizona
Phoenix, AZ · Private for-profit
71 $60,540 9.5x
How do Computer Networking programs stack up? See 41 schools ranked by earnings and value →

Related majors

Similar fields of study often offered alongside Computer Networking.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Networking offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Computer Networking trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Networking

What's the typical salary after a Computer Networking degree?

The median first-year salary across 41 Computer Networking programs is $58,164. School selection matters — the gap between the lowest ($26,519) and highest ($73,367) earning programs is significant.

Will AI affect Computer Networking careers?

AI exposure for Computer Networking is rated "Very High." With 59% of tasks potentially affected by large language models, most career functions face meaningful automation pressure in the coming decade.

What's the top-ranked school for Computer Networking?

Our data ranks Weber State University first among 41 Computer Networking programs. Its score of 85/100 reflects strong outcomes across earnings ($71,941/yr), return on investment, and career durability.

What's the outlook for a Computer Networking degree?

The average 10-year earnings multiple is 15.1x tuition. This is a strong return on investment. The spread between the best and worst programs is wide, so individual school selection has a major impact.