Computer Networking
Quick Facts: Computer Networking Training
Where it's offered
Computer Networking programs are offered at 92 schools across 32 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $39,678/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship pathway related to Computer Networking — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 92 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 49/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Computer Networking Graduates Do
You’ll likely start your career with hands-on work as a network support specialist, spending your days in server rooms racking equipment, running ethernet cable, and using command-line tools to diagnose connectivity problems. With a few years of experience, you can advance into high-demand specializations. You might become an information security analyst—a rapidly growing field—using software to hunt for threats and configure firewalls. Or you could become a network architect, designing the blueprints for a company’s entire cloud infrastructure in AWS or Azure.
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This progression brings significant earning potential, with experienced architects and security analysts earning well into six figures. Top performers can eventually lead entire IT departments as information systems managers. While AI tools are automating many routine network monitoring tasks, they can’t physically install a server rack or troubleshoot a complex, system-wide outage on-site. Your work will increasingly focus on strategic design, complex problem-solving, and the hands-on tasks that require human ingenuity, using AI as a powerful diagnostic tool rather than a replacement.
Students considering Computer Networking also weigh Computer Science, Information Sciences, and Software Development — see each trade's earnings and school count side by side.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship occupation related to Computer Networking. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
It Project Manager
RAPIDS 1048CB |
Competency | Competency | $134K – $171,200 – $216K | 15.2% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Computer Networking Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Computer Networking is offered at 92 schools across 32 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Computer Networking Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Computer Networking programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
Top 20 of 92 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
Highest Earning Computer Networking Programs
Schools where Computer Networking graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Madison Area Technical College | $65,324/yr | 77 |
| Bunker Hill Community College | $53,145/yr | 71 |
| Front Range Community College | $52,583/yr | 80 |
| Front Range Community College | $52,244/yr | 75 |
| Dallas College | $50,493/yr | 83 |
| Alexandria Technical & Community College | $49,706/yr | 68 |
| Austin Community College District | $49,424/yr | 82 |
| Charter College | $47,463/yr | 59 |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | $47,268/yr | 73 |
| Dunwoody College of Technology | $47,217/yr | 59 |
Best ROI for Computer Networking
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Computer Networking.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas College | 276.2x | $50,493/yr | 83 |
| Austin Community College District | 192.8x | $49,424/yr | 82 |
| Austin Community College District | 137.7x | $46,969/yr | 80 |
| Dallas College | 131.3x | $40,807/yr | 77 |
| Pima Community College | 115.3x | $35,786/yr | 73 |
| Front Range Community College | 109.9x | $52,583/yr | 80 |
| Houston Community College | 104.1x | $42,875/yr | 76 |
| Saint Louis Community College | 103.5x | $38,235/yr | 74 |
| Sinclair Community College | 96.7x | $45,772/yr | 77 |
| Front Range Community College | 71.2x | $52,244/yr | 75 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Computer Networking degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.