System and Network Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
System and Network Management equips students with the advanced skills to design, implement, and maintain complex computing infrastructures that support organizational operations across distributed environments. This program focuses on ensuring optimal system performance, reliability, and security through strategic oversight of both hardware and software ecosystems.
- Performance Balancing: Techniques to optimize resource allocation across systems and networks, ensuring consistent responsiveness and efficient workload distribution.
- Redundancy Planning: Strategies for building fault-tolerant systems by incorporating backup components and failover mechanisms to minimize downtime.
- Local Area (LAN) and Wide Area (WAN) Network Management: Core principles for configuring, monitoring, and securing interconnected networks spanning physical locations and geographical regions.
- System Migration and Upgrading: Processes for transitioning legacy systems to modern platforms while preserving data integrity and minimizing operational disruption.
- Outage Control: Proactive and reactive protocols to identify, contain, and recover from system failures with minimal impact on business continuity.
- Problem Diagnosis and Troubleshooting: Methodologies for systematically identifying root causes of technical issues across hardware, software, and network layers.
- System Maintenance, Budgeting, and Management: Oversight of lifecycle operations, cost-effective planning, and strategic decision-making to sustain long-term infrastructure performance and scalability.
System and Network Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
System and Network Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with System and Network Management degrees, including Computer and Information Systems Managers, Information Security Analysts and Computer Network Support Specialists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 971,850 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers 11-3021 | $171,200 | $104,450 - $239,200 | 645,970 | $82.31 |
| Information Security Analysts 15-1212 | $124,910 | $69,660 - $186,420 | 179,430 | $60.05 |
| Computer Network Support Specialists 15-1231 | $73,340 | $46,010 - $124,470 | 146,450 | $35.26 |
System and Network Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $72,300 in Montana to $147,863 in Washington—a 105% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, California, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 971,850 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for System and Network Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 83 institutions offering System and Network Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in System and Network Management is found at Western Governors University (WGU) (518 graduates), Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) (108 graduates), Texas A & M University, College Station (92 graduates), Green River College (GRC) (78 graduates), and William Rainey Harper College (63 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,925 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Bachelor's
|
518 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
108 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
92 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Green River College (GRC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
78 | Auburn, Washington | Public | greenriver.edu |
| William Rainey Harper College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
63 | Palatine, Illinois | Public | harpercollege.edu |
| Union College |
Master's
|
59 | Barbourville, Kentucky | Private | unionky.edu |
| Spokane Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
57 | Spokane, Washington | Public | scc.spokane.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
|
44 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Dakota State University (DSU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
44 | Madison, South Dakota | Public | dsu.edu |
| MyComputerCareer |
Associate's
|
44 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | mycomputercareer.edu |
| North Central State College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
43 | Mansfield, Ohio | Public | ncstatecollege.edu |
| Purdue University Global |
Other Award
|
43 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
39 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | tcatmurfreesboro.edu |
| MyComputerCareer |
Associate's
|
37 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | mycomputercareer.edu |
| Bryant & Stratton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
34 | Orchard Park, New York | Private | bryantstratton.edu |
| MyComputerCareer |
Associate's
|
31 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Private | mycomputercareer.edu |
| Midland College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Midland, Texas | Public | midland.edu |
| Tyler Junior College (TJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
29 | Tyler, Texas | Public | tjc.edu |
| McLennan Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Waco, Texas | Public | mclennan.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
25 | Shelbyville, Tennessee | Public | tcatshelbyville.edu |
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Associate's
|
24 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
| College of DuPage (COD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Glen Ellyn, Illinois | Public | cod.edu |
| Lane Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | lanecc.edu |
| Texas State Technical College (TSTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Waco, Texas | Public | tstc.edu |
| Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) |
Other Award
|
23 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsatech.edu |
| Career Technical Institute (CTI) |
Associate's
|
20 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | careertechnical.edu |
| El Paso Community College (EPCC) |
Associate's
|
18 | El Paso, Texas | Public | epcc.edu |
| Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
17 | Monterey, California | Public | nps.edu |
| Texarkana College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Texarkana, Texas | Public | texarkanacollege.edu |
| North Shore Community College (NSCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Danvers, Massachusetts | Public | northshore.edu |
| Bryant & Stratton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
12 | Buffalo, New York | Private | bryantstratton.edu |
| Hallmark University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | hallmarkuniversity.edu |
| Erie Community College (SUNY Erie) |
Other Award
|
11 | Buffalo, New York | Public | ecc.edu |
| San Antonio College (SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Renton Technical College (RTC) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Renton, Washington | Public | rtc.edu |
| Bryant & Stratton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Rochester, New York | Private | bryantstratton.edu |
| Bryant & Stratton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | bryantstratton.edu |
| Pierce College District |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Lakewood, Washington | Public | pierce.ctc.edu |
| University of Akron |
Associate's
|
9 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| SUNY Westchester Community College |
Associate's
|
8 | Valhalla, New York | Public | sunywcc.edu |
| Morrison Institute of Technology |
Associate's
|
7 | Morrison, Illinois | Private | morrisontech.edu |
| Bryant & Stratton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Liverpool, New York | Private | bryantstratton.edu |
| Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College (ENMU) |
Other Award
|
7 | Ruidoso, New Mexico | Public | ruidoso.enmu.edu |
| Capella University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| University of Arkansas Community College (UACCM) |
Other Award
|
6 | Morrilton, Arkansas | Public | uaccm.edu |
| Carl Sandburg College |
Associate's
|
6 | Galesburg, Illinois | Public | sandburg.edu |
| Macomb Community College |
Associate's
|
6 | Warren, Michigan | Public | macomb.edu |
| Monroe County Community College (MCCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Monroe, Michigan | Public | monroeccc.edu |
| Alcorn State University (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Alcorn State, Mississippi | Public | alcorn.edu |
| Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) |
Associate's
|
6 | Middletown, New York | Public | sunyorange.edu |
| Bates Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Tacoma, Washington | Public | batestech.edu |
| Tacoma Community College (TCC ) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Tacoma, Washington | Public | tacomacc.edu |
| St Philip's College |
Associate's
|
5 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Kiamichi Technology Center (KTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | McAlester, Oklahoma | Public | ktc.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College |
Associate's
|
5 | Martinsburg, West Virginia | Public | blueridgectc.edu |
| Asher College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Sacramento, California | Private | asher.edu |
| Northeast Community College |
Other Award
|
4 | Norfolk, Nebraska | Public | northeast.edu |
| New Mexico State University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | dacc.nmsu.edu |
| Williston State College (WSC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Williston, North Dakota | Public | willistonstate.edu |
| Belmont College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | St Clairsville, Ohio | Public | belmontcollege.edu |
| Snow College |
Associate's
|
4 | Ephraim, Utah | Public | snow.edu |
| Meridian Technology Center (Meridian Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | meridiantech.edu |
| Butler Community College |
Associate's
|
3 | El Dorado, Kansas | Public | butlercc.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| Western Nevada College (WNC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Carson City, Nevada | Public | wnc.edu |
| Bryant & Stratton College |
Associate's
|
3 | Albany, New York | Private | bryantstratton.edu |
| Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Warwick, Rhode Island | Public | ccri.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Other Award
|
2 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| Prairie State College (PSC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Chicago Heights, Illinois | Public | prairiestate.edu |
| Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Dixon, Illinois | Public | svcc.edu |
| Northern Kentucky University (NKU) |
Master's
|
2 | Highland Heights, Kentucky | Public | nku.edu |
| Chestnut Hill College (CHC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | chc.edu |
| Paris Junior College (PJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2 | Paris, Texas | Public | parisjc.edu |
| Highline College |
Associate's
|
2 | Des Moines, Washington | Public | highline.edu |
| New River Community and Technical College (NRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Beaver, West Virginia | Public | newriver.edu |
| Bryant & Stratton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2 | Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | Private | bryantstratton.edu |
| Brand College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Glendale, California | Private | brandcollege.edu |
| ABCO Technology |
Residency
|
2 | Inglewood, California | Private | abcotechnology.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Oakland Community College (OCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Auburn Hills, Michigan | Public | oaklandcc.edu |
| Dutchess Community College (DCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Poughkeepsie, New York | Public | sunydutchess.edu |
| Edison State Community College |
Other Award
|
1 | Piqua, Ohio | Public | edisonohio.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about System and Network Management programs
How much can I earn with a System and Network Management degree?
Salaries for System and Network Management graduates vary by role and location. Computer and Information Systems Managers earn a median of $171,200 annually, while Information Security Analysts earn around $124,910. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $147,863 compared to $72,300 in Montana. Approximately 971,850 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest System and Network Management programs?
Currently 84 accredited institutions offer System and Network Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (518 graduates), Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) (108 graduates), and Texas A & M University, College Station (92 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in System and Network Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,502 in 2010 to a peak of 1,930 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,925 in 2023-24. This represents a 28% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a System and Network Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Computer and Information Systems Managers, Information Security Analysts, and Computer Network Support Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 971,850 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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