The 10 Best Online Systems and Network Administration Bachelor’s Programs of 2021

An online systems and network administration degree can prepare you for a rewarding career. These programs offer in-demand skills to make you stand out in the information technology field. The best online Bachelor’s Degrees in Systems and Network Administration can help you start the journey.

This guide covers the best degree programs for systems and network administration as well as potential career opportunities. You will also find other important information, like tuition rates and accreditation. Read on to learn more.

There are a lot of schools with network systems administration bachelor’s degree programs. However, no two programs are the same. Some focus on information technology (IT) management, while others cover networking and security.

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The table below outlines the top 10 network systems administrator degrees at the bachelor’s level. The tuition information in the table was obtained from each university’s website.

Most people prefer online degrees for their flexibility. An online systems and network administration degree will give you the flexibility to work and pursue extracurricular interests while you study. Online programs allow students to study at their own pace. Some programs offer accelerated learning options for students who want to graduate quickly.

Studying at your own pace can be effective for independent learners. You can control your study schedule and take a step back when you don’t understand a concept. Below are the main reasons to study systems and network administration online.

The requirements for online degree programs are almost the same as the on-campus programs. You will be required to present your high school GPA, SAT or ACT scores, and possibly a letter of recommendation or two.

When students don’t meet certain criteria, they may be required to take extra courses along with their main programs. There are also online degree completion programs that allow students to earn a degree with transferable college credits.

The list contains Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees. In case you’re still shopping around for a concentration, you should know that the strong undergraduate programs in information technology at most of these schools extend beyond systems and network administration.

This BS program trains its students to develop strategies for virtual and physical data management issues. Courses include advanced networking administration, Linux administration, operating system administration, database administration, and information security administration.

It also provides a hands-on curriculum and a flexible online platform. Students can choose to transfer into the program with an in-person or online associate degree. The school also accepts 60 credits from previous institutions. Students in a hurry can apply for the accelerated degree track.

This BAS program accepts transfers from associate degree programs. It also has specializations for students who want to customize their learning experience. They can choose a concentration in cyber security, information technology, or administrative management.

Also, the program develops leaders who want to satisfy the administrative needs of future organizations. It combines effective leadership, communication, project management skills, and effective business practices.

This program from CSU Global offers several management concentrations to choose from. Some include operation management, healthcare management, project management, criminal justice management, and non-profit management. The main courses in the program include database management, network and information systems, and enterprise solutions.

Students learn the best practices in enterprise data management and how to apply them to business. It also covers how to perform data analysis to increase profitability, productivity, and performance. Graduates will be able to prepare data for analysis, design databases, perform web analytics, conduct statistical analyses, and do data mining.

This BS program covers operating systems, networking theory, and apps. It offers a fast-track program for students who want to complete it faster. By the end, students will be ready to become network administrators. The program takes place online, although students can choose to study on campus or in a hybrid format.

The curriculum covers how to implement network confidentiality and patch web apps. It also covers how to apply penetration testing procedures and configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) and firewalls.

Students in this BAS program study object oriented programming, networks, telecommunications, and software and hardware configuration. They are also required to learn systems design, systems analysis, and strategies for electronic commerce. The program ends with a capstone seminar.

This program offers hands-on learning methods with a flexible curriculum. The faculty receives support from the industry through the IT advisory committee. The class sizes are ideal for collaboration.

This BBA program offers both practical and theoretical knowledge needed to thrive in the industry. Despite being held fully online, students can transfer into the program with credits from previous institutions.

This program includes courses like VOIP, network security, network engineering, advanced computer networks, and computer programming. Students also learn about operating systems, ethics, and leadership theory.

This BS in Information Technology offers three concentrations, including Network Management. Students learn the business principles and communication skills needed to become successful IT managers. Students learn to apply customer-centered design, analysis, and implementation.

If you transfer credits from another institution, the university offers a completion program that only takes 16 months to graduate from.

This BS program has a network administration concentration that allows students to personalize their training. They can focus on electives in areas that fit their desired career path. The network administration track focuses on infrastructure design, troubleshooting networks, and implementation.

Students will learn how to design and evaluate computing-based solutions to meet network requirements. They also learn to communicate effectively in different professional contexts. The program takes place completely online.

This computer information systems degree has a networking and security concentration. It introduces students to best practices, procedures, and policies in cyber security. Students learn to build basic and secure computing environments. They also gain problem-solving and troubleshooting skills needed in the field.

The degree track requirements include IT service management, computer platform technologies, and SQL coursework. The students learn to compile, mine, and analyze data within different client systems. It ends with a capstone seminar.

This management degree includes coursework in areas like business networks, security, leadership, and information systems management. The skills students learn allow them to combine IT and business strategies to optimize companies’ use of technology.

The knowledge in IT and business will help students stand out in the field.

You need to research thoroughly before choosing an online systems and network administration bachelor’s degree. There are a lot of factors you should consider as a prospective student. One is whether the school specializes in IT. The best way to find out would be to check for awards and read up on the faculty.

Below are three additional factors to consider.

Ensure that you select a college that is regionally accredited. If a school is accredited, that means it meets the required standards to offer degree programs. This status increases your chances of transferring credit, qualifying for aid, and applying to graduate schools in the future.

Another important factor to consider is the duration of the program. The length may vary by the school and its learning schedule. Online classes may offer accelerated or decelerated learning options. If you prefer an accelerated option, find out how soon you can finish.

How much will it cost to enroll in the program? Check the school website for tuition prices to determine if it is within your financial reach. Also, look into your financial aid options.

A degree in systems and network administration can open up different career paths. Graduates are qualified to work in the IT field as systems managers, network administrators, and IT architects. Other options for graduates include database administrator and computer programmer roles.

The skills of these experts can be applied across industries, not just in tech. Businesses of all kinds are in need of their services.

Graduates in all IT career paths can expect to earn a higher-than-average salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer and information technology professionals earned an average salary of $91,250 as of May 2020. This is over twice as much as the average salary of all other occupations.

BLS also predicts that the job growth for this field will be 11 percent from 2019 to 2029. This projection is based on current trends in the demand for big data, information security, and cloud computing.

A Bachelor of Science (BS) requires more credits than a Bachelor of Arts (BA). BS degrees are often more focused, requiring more major-specific courses and fewer general education courses.

BA degrees are better suited to arts and the humanities. Neither degree is inherently better than the other. However, a BS degree may be more appropriate for a career in systems and network administration.

Yes. Not only is the program conducive to online learning, but the degree can also expedite your entry into the information technology industry.

With an online degree, you’ll save time and money on commuting. Its flexibility allows you to keep current commitments or continue working. The best online colleges and universities offer the same quality of education as on-campus programs, and these systems and network administration degrees are no different.