Best institutions to study System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager
A program that prepares individuals to oversee and regulate the computer system and performance requirements of an entire organization or network of satellite users.
72 U.S. institutions graduated 1,582 System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 11.1002, a specialization of Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (CIP 11.10), and leads most directly to the Computer and Information Systems Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-3021).
About System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager programs
A program that prepares individuals to oversee and regulate the computer system and performance requirements of an entire organization or network of satellite users. Includes instruction in performance balancing; redundancy; local area (LAN) and wide area (WAN) network management; system migration and upgrading; outage control; problem diagnosis and troubleshooting; and system maintenance, budgeting, and management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The System program, officially titled System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager, is designed for individuals aiming to oversee and regulate computer systems and network performance within organizations. This program falls under the broader field of Computer and Information Technology Administration and Management, preparing students for a dynamic career in technology management. Students in this program will gain the skills necessary to manage local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN), troubleshoot issues, and ensure system reliability. With a focus on both technical and managerial aspects, this program is ideal for those looking to advance in the fast-paced field of information technology.
Learn more about System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager →
Core coursework in this program includes critical thinking, problem diagnosis, system maintenance, and budgeting. Students will also develop skills in active listening, monitoring, and effective communication, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of managing complex computer systems.
Credentials awarded
What System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree471 graduates / yr · 46 institutions30%
- Bachelor's degree464 graduates / yr · 10 institutions29%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year324 graduates / yr · 26 institutions21%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years130 graduates / yr · 15 institutions8.2%
- Award of less than 12 weeks115 graduates / yr · 2 institutions7.3%
- Master's degree70 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate8 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.5%
Graduates over time
System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,663 |
| 2013 | 2,518 |
| 2014 | 5,889 |
| 2015 | 5,740 |
| 2016 | 1,472 |
| 2017 | 1,318 |
| 2018 | 1,478 |
| 2019 | 1,509 |
| 2020 | 1,924 |
| 2021 | 2,060 |
| 2022 | 2,212 |
| 2023 | 1,813 |
| 2024 | 1,924 |
| 2025 | 1,582 |
Top 50 institutions for System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 253 | 46% | $11,580 | $92,416 |
| 2 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 142 | 40% | — | — |
| 3 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor's | 99 | 84% | — | $58,127 |
| 4 | Green River College Auburn, WAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 92 | 39% | — | — |
| 5 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 75 | 46% | — | $36,509 |
| 6 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 72 | 48% | — | — |
| 7 | Union Commonwealth University Barbourville, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 59 | 32% | $28,386 | — |
| 8 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Shelbyville Shelbyville, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 48 | 81% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor's | 47 | 75% | — | — |
| 10 | North Central State College Mansfield, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 44 | 36% | — | — |
| 11 | MyComputerCareer at Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 41 | 69% | $26,295 | — |
| 12 | Midland College Midland, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 23% | — | — |
| 13 | Tyler Junior College Tyler, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 39 | 27% | — | — |
| 14 | Dakota State University Madison, SDPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 33 | 51% | — | $58,166 |
| 15 | Spokane Community College Spokane, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 33 | 33% | — | — |
| 16 | Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 81% | — | $27,061 |
| 17 | Lane Community College Eugene, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 28 | 20% | — | — |
| 18 | Bryant & Stratton College - Online Orchard Park, NYPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 28 | 23% | $14,394 | $31,581 |
| 19 | McLennan Community College Waco, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 27 | 39% | — | — |
| 20 | El Paso Community College El Paso, TXPublicAssociate's | 26 | 24% | — | — |
| 21 | MyComputerCareer at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 26 | 60% | $26,791 | — |
| 22 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NVPublicAssociate's | 23 | 19% | — | — |
| 23 | Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 16 | — | — | — |
| 24 | Bryant & Stratton College - Buffalo Buffalo, NYPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 15 | 21% | $14,182 | $31,581 |
| 25 | Hallmark University San Antonio, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 66% | $12,120 | $46,578 |
| 26 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Jackson Jackson, TNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 80% | — | — |
| 27 | Asher College Sacramento, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 56% | $16,924 | $36,560 |
| 28 | Orange County Community College Middletown, NYPublicAssociate's | 12 | 25% | — | — |
| 29 | Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 12 | 24% | $12,786 | $31,581 |
| 30 | Renton Technical College Renton, WAPublicBachelor's | 12 | 46% | — | — |
| 31 | North Shore Community College Danvers, MAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 18% | — | — |
| 32 | San Antonio College San Antonio, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 26% | — | — |
| 33 | Tacoma Community College Tacoma, WAPublicBachelor's | 10 | 32% | — | — |
| 34 | Belmont College St Clairsville, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 9 | 43% | — | — |
| 35 | Bryant & Stratton College - Syracuse North Liverpool, NYPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 8 | 32% | $14,512 | $31,581 |
| 36 | Paris Junior College Paris, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 38% | — | — |
| 37 | St Philip's College San Antonio, TXPublicAssociate's | 8 | 28% | — | — |
| 38 | Morrison Institute of Technology Morrison, ILPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 7 | 90% | $24,249 | $39,065 |
| 39 | Western Nevada College Carson City, NVPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 41% | — | — |
| 40 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 20% | $19,369 | $86,085 |
| 41 | New River Community and Technical College Beaver, WVPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 36% | — | — |
| 42 | Butler Community College El Dorado, KSPublicAssociate's | 5 | 32% | — | — |
| 43 | Macomb Community College Warren, MIPublicAssociate's | 5 | 18% | — | — |
| 44 | Northeast Community College Norfolk, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 56% | — | — |
| 45 | Williston State College Williston, NDPublicAssociate's | 5 | 42% | — | — |
| 46 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicAssociate's | 5 | 52% | — | $44,212 |
| 47 | Pierce College District Lakewood, WAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 31% | — | — |
| 48 | Alcorn State University Alcorn State, MSPublicBachelor's | 4 | 57% | — | — |
| 49 | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Martinsburg, WVPublicAssociate's | 4 | 32% | — | — |
| 50 | University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 30% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management field (CIP 11.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 29 states
Where System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-3021, Computer and Information Systems Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the System program can pursue careers as Computer and Information Systems Managers, among other roles. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 15.2% and approximately 55,600 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is around $171,200, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 11.1002
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Computer and Information Systems Managersprimary SOC 11-3021 | $175,140 | +15.2% Much faster than average | ~55,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Information Security Analysts SOC 15-1212 | $129,180 | +28.5% Much faster than average | ~16,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer Network Support Specialists SOC 15-1231 | $76,220 | +1.8% Little or no change | ~9,600 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
- Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
- Assign and review the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers.
- Provide users with technical support for computer problems.
- Develop computer information resources, providing for data security and control, strategic computing, and disaster recovery.
Tools and technology used
Other Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (CIP 11.10).
- Computer and Information Systems Security/CIP 11.1003
Auditing/ Information Assurance 48,110 graduates / yr905 institutions - Computer/CIP 11.1099
Information Technology Services Administration and Management 6,540 graduates / yr92 institutions - Computer Support SpecialistCIP 11.10066,399 graduates / yr243 institutions
- Network and System Administration/CIP 11.1001
Administrator 5,461 graduates / yr204 institutions - Information Technology Project ManagementCIP 11.10053,763 graduates / yr80 institutions
- Web/CIP 11.1004
Multimedia Management and Webmaster 754 graduates / yr81 institutions
See all Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, or various awards ranging from 12 weeks to 2 years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and technical support.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a 15.2% growth rate and 55,600 annual openings.
What types of jobs can I get?+
You can work as a Computer and Information Systems Manager, Information Security Analyst, or Computer Network Support Specialist.
What is the CIP code for System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager?+
System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager is CIP 11.1002 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (CIP 11.10). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to oversee and regulate the computer system and performance requirements of an entire organization or network of satellite users. Includes instruction in performance balancing; redundancy; local area (LAN) and wide area (WAN) network management; system migration and upgrading; outage control; problem diagnosis and troubleshooting; and system maintenance, budgeting, and management.
How many institutions offer System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager programs?+
72 U.S. institutions reported System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 29 states, awarding 1,582 credentials in the year. That is 2.2% of all Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management graduates.
How much do System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Computer and Information Systems Managers occupation, which System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager most directly leads to, pays a median of $175,140 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management field report median earnings of $36,560 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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