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.
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.
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% |
Best schools for Computer Networking
Schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score (earnings × AI resilience × ROI × job-market size). Top 10 of 41.
| # | 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 |
Highest Earnings Top 5
| Rochester Institute of Technology
NY |
$73,367 |
| Weber State University
UT |
$71,941 |
| Park University
MO |
$71,601 |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology
MA |
$68,056 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
MN |
$68,047 |
Best ROI Top 5
| Florida State College at Jacksonville
FL |
60.3x |
| Utah Valley University
UT |
36.5x |
| Weber State University
UT |
32.9x |
| Ohio University-Eastern Campus
OH |
30.1x |
| Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus
OH |
30.1x |
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 →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.