How Much Does CompTIA Network+ Cost in 2026?
- →The exam voucher is $358, but budget $500-$700 total once you factor in study materials and a possible retake
- →Every failed retake costs another $358 - there's no second-attempt discount, so prep properly the first time
- →Ask your employer about reimbursement before spending a dollar - many companies have budget for exactly this and nobody uses it
- →At a $6,000 salary uplift, you break even on your total investment in roughly 43 days of work - the ROI math is hard to argue with
The CompTIA Network+ exam fee is $358. That's the number CompTIA puts front and center, and honestly, it's not a lie - it's just not the whole story. The truth is, most people who sit for N10-009 spend somewhere between $500 and $700 before they walk out of that testing center. Study materials, practice exams, maybe a retake - it adds up faster than you'd expect. I've watched people budget for the voucher and then panic when they realize they're not ready without a decent prep course. So before you buy anything, let's talk through exactly what this certification is going to cost you, where you can trim it, and whether the money actually makes sense for your situation.
◆ The CompTIA Network+ Exam Fee Breakdown
The exam voucher itself is $358 through CompTIA's store. That gets you one attempt at the N10-009 exam - one. If you fail, you're looking at another $358 to retake it. CompTIA's retake policy does allow unlimited attempts, but there's no discount on subsequent vouchers, so every failed attempt costs you full price. The exam is 90 questions, 90 minutes, and you need a 720 out of 900 to pass. Pass rates aren't published officially, but the general consensus in IT communities is that first-time pass rates hover around 70-75%. So budget mentally - and financially - for the possibility of two attempts.
◆ Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Here's where budgets fall apart. A decent study guide - like the official CompTIA study book or Professor Messer's printed notes - runs $30 to $60. A quality video course on Udemy or a platform like Mike Meyers' Total Seminars will cost $15 to $200 depending on when you catch a sale. Practice exam bundles from Pearson or ExamCompass? Another $30 to $60. If you're using a structured bootcamp or an online school, add $300 to $800 on top of the voucher. Then there's time - if you're studying 8 to 10 hours a week for 6 to 8 weeks, that's real time you're not spending elsewhere. Add it up and $700 total is realistic, not pessimistic.
◆ How to Cut the Cost of CompTIA Network+
First thing - ask your employer. A lot of companies will cover certification costs under a tuition reimbursement or professional development budget, and most people never ask. CompTIA offers academic discounts through CertMaster and their partner schools, sometimes knocking 10 to 20 percent off the voucher. Voucher resellers like CertBlaster or Exam Vouchers occasionally run promotions, so don't buy at full price without checking. For free study material, Professor Messer's website has solid free video content for N10-009 - it's not a joke resource, it's genuinely good. Pair that with free practice questions on ExamCompass and you can keep your prep costs under $50 if you're disciplined about it.
◆ Total Cost vs. Salary Uplift: Is It Worth It?
Let's run the numbers straight. If you spend $700 total - voucher, materials, maybe one retake - and Network+ gets you a $6,000 annual salary bump, you break even in about 43 days of additional earnings. That's it. Even if you're pessimistic and only see a $3,000 bump, you've recovered your investment in under three months. The cert is valid for three years before renewal, so over that window you're looking at $18,000 in additional earnings against a $700 upfront cost. Is Network+ worth the price? Yes - bluntly and without hedging, yes. The ROI math is almost embarrassingly good, as long as you're actually applying for jobs that recognize it.
◆ Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does CompTIA PenTest+ Cost in 2026?
The CompTIA PenTest+ exam fee is $404 - but your total cost will likely hit $700-$900. Here's the honest breakdown nobody else gives you.
How Much Does CISM Cost in 2026?
The CISM exam fee is $760, but your real out-of-pocket cost is closer to $1,500–$2,500. Here's exactly where every dollar goes in 2026.
CompTIA Security+ vs CEH: Which Should You Get?
CompTIA Security+ costs $404 and suits beginners. CEH costs $1,199 and is built for offensive security pros. Here's which one actually fits your situation.