Computer Systems Networking Degree
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 Systems 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.
Common Career Paths
Where Computer Systems Networking graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 258,000 combined openings per year.
| Career Path | Salary Range | Openings/yr | Growth | AI Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and information systems managers | 55,600 | +15.2% | 53% | |
| Computer and information research scientists | 3,200 | +19.7% | 63% | |
| Database architects | 4,000 | +8.7% | 94% | |
| Software developers | 115,200 | +15.8% | 87% | |
| Computer network architects | 11,200 | +11.9% | 61% | |
| Information security analysts | 16,000 | +28.5% | 65% | |
| Computer systems analysts | 34,200 | +8.7% | 48% | |
| Computer programmers | 5,500 | -6.0% | 95% | |
| Computer science teachers, postsecondary | 3,500 | +5.3% | 51% | |
| Computer network support specialists | 9,600 | +1.8% | 63% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).
Best Schools for Computer Systems Networking
Top 20 of 41 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.
| # | School | DW Score | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weber State University Ogden, UT |
85 79–86 |
$71,941/yr | 32.9x |
| 2 | Utah Valley University Orem, UT |
84 78–85 |
$64,615/yr | 36.5x |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, WI |
83 77–84 |
$66,623/yr | 21.5x |
| 4 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN |
81 75–82 |
$68,047/yr | 14.6x |
| 5 | Ohio University-Eastern Campus Saint Clairsville, OH |
81 75–82 |
$61,788/yr | 30.1x |
| 6 | Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus Chillicothe, OH |
81 75–82 |
$61,788/yr | 30.1x |
| 7 | Ohio University-Southern Campus Ironton, OH |
81 75–82 |
$61,788/yr | 30.1x |
| 8 | Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Lancaster, OH |
81 75–82 |
$61,788/yr | 30.1x |
| 9 | Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Zanesville, OH |
81 75–82 |
$61,788/yr | 30.1x |
| 10 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL |
79 73–80 |
$53,888/yr | 60.3x |
| 11 | University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ |
78 72–79 |
$65,474/yr | 17.0x |
| 12 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH |
78 72–79 |
$60,944/yr | 14.9x |
| 13 | Illinois State University Normal, IL |
77 71–78 |
$66,801/yr | 12.2x |
| 14 | Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH |
76 70–77 |
$61,788/yr | 13.0x |
| 15 | Park University Parkville, MO |
75 69–76 |
$71,601/yr | 10.5x |
| 16 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY |
74 68–75 |
$73,367/yr | 4.2x |
| 17 | University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, MN |
74 68–75 |
$51,291/yr | 13.3x |
| 18 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA |
72 66–73 |
$68,056/yr | 5.0x |
| 19 | DeVry College of New York New York, NY |
71 65–73 |
$60,540/yr | 9.5x |
| 20 | DeVry University-Arizona Phoenix, AZ |
71 65–73 |
$60,540/yr | 9.5x |
Highest Earning Computer Systems Networking Programs
Schools where Computer Systems Networking graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester Institute of Technology | $73,367/yr | 74 |
| Weber State University | $71,941/yr | 85 |
| Park University | $71,601/yr | 75 |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology | $68,056/yr | 72 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $68,047/yr | 81 |
| Illinois State University | $66,801/yr | 77 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout | $66,623/yr | 83 |
| University of Phoenix-Arizona | $65,474/yr | 78 |
| University of Phoenix-Nevada | $65,474/yr | 61 |
| Utah Valley University | $64,615/yr | 84 |
Best ROI for Computer Systems Networking
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Computer Systems Networking.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | 60.3x | $53,888/yr | 79 |
| Utah Valley University | 36.5x | $64,615/yr | 84 |
| Weber State University | 32.9x | $71,941/yr | 85 |
| Ohio University-Eastern Campus | 30.1x | $61,788/yr | 81 |
| Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus | 30.1x | $61,788/yr | 81 |
| Ohio University-Southern Campus | 30.1x | $61,788/yr | 81 |
| Ohio University-Lancaster Campus | 30.1x | $61,788/yr | 81 |
| Ohio University-Zanesville Campus | 30.1x | $61,788/yr | 81 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout | 21.5x | $66,623/yr | 83 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 18.9x | $48,077/yr | 71 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Consider the Trade Route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Systems Networking offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.