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Assistant research engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an assistant research engineer. Assistant research engineers usually study mechanical engineering, psychology, or chemical engineering. 59% of assistant research engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 468 real assistant research engineer resumes to see exactly what assistant research engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for assistant research engineers are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.

There are also many online assistant research engineer courses to help get the education required to be an assistant research engineer.

What education do you need to become an assistant research engineer?

What degree do you need to be an assistant research engineer?

The most common degree for assistant research engineers is bachelor's degree, with 59% of assistant research engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 16% and master's degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 59%
  • Master's, 16%
  • Doctorate, 9%
  • Associate, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 10%

What should I major in to become an assistant research engineer?

You should major in mechanical engineering to become an assistant research engineer. 11% of assistant research engineers major in mechanical engineering. Other common majors for an assistant research engineer include psychology and chemical engineering.

Most common colleges for assistant research engineers

Assistant research engineers often get their degrees at Pennsylvania State University, University of Connecticut, and University of Kentucky. Here are the most common colleges for assistant research engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Assistant research engineer common collegePercentages
Pennsylvania State University11.48%
University of Connecticut8.20%
University of Kentucky6.56%
University of California, Berkeley6.56%
Syracuse University4.92%

Best majors for assistant research engineers

RankMajorPercentages
1Mechanical Engineering10.7%
2Psychology9.5%
3Chemical Engineering8.3%
4Biology7.1%
5Nursing7.1%

Best colleges for assistant research engineers

The best colleges for assistant research engineers are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.

An assistant research engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for assistant research engineers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become assistant research engineers.

1. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

3. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

4. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

5. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

6. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

7. Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,646

Enrollment

5,736

8. University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$9,222

Enrollment

23,396

9. The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL • Private

In-state tuition

$10,780

Enrollment

32,177

10. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

20 best online courses for assistant research engineers

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1. Market Research

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The Market Research Specialisation focuses on the essentials of research and the research process. This Specialisation will teach you how to use qualitative and quantitative research methods, how to develop and manage a questionnaire development strategy, how to develop measurements, how to collect data and how to analyze and present them.\n\nOnce you have completed this Specialisation, you will have a good understanding of market research including:\n\nEssentials of market research Components...

2. How to Visualize Research Data in Tableau

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Publishing research often requires the preparation of visual elements like charts, tables, and graphs to better explain the text in a research report. Creating these elements can be done easily and effectively in Tableau. Using Tableau, large and small data sets can be visualized with precision, creativity, interactivity, and options in Tableau. After taking this course learners will know how to create a table, a geovisualization, and a pie chart. Three of the most common research...

3. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint

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4.6
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Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...

4. Research Methodology

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4.5
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Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...

5. Data Science for Health Research

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In Data Science for Health Research, learn to organize and visualize health data using statistical analysis in programs like R. Explore how to translate data, interpret statistical models, and predict outcomes to help make data-informed decisions within the public health field...

6. Market Research

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"Finding the Story in the Data” is the most important emerging capability for market researchers according to GRIT (Greenbook Research Industry Trends) Report 2016. This specialization, designed for learners with no previous Marketing Research experience teaches a comprehensive marketing research approach that will help learners find and communicate the story in the data.\n\nStudents will learn how to initiate a research project for targeted business needs, conduct research through multiple...

7. Market Research: Dekker's Complete Marketing Research Course

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Competitor Analysis, Market Research Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization...

8. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

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4
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Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...

9. Foundations of Health Equity Research

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Introduces students to the core principles of health equity research. Covers topics such as defining health equity, engaging community and policy stakeholders, patient-centeredness, cultural competence, and dissemination of research findings. Content will recognize different geographic, cultural, and social contexts where health inequities occur...

10. Psychological Research

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This specialization is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, ethics in research, and quantitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.\n\nLearners will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of research design for quantitative studies in psychology, analysis of data from quantitative studies in psychology, and ethical standards for conducting psychological research. Learning...

11. Global Marketing Research and Analytics

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4.3
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Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...

12. Qualitative Data Analysis using MAXQDA: Scratch to Advanced

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4.1
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Master Qualitative Research Method, Content Analysis, Grounded Theory, Thematic Analysis and more with MAXQDA Analytics...

13. Understanding Research Methods

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This MOOC is about demystifying research and research methods. It will outline the fundamentals of doing research, aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the postgraduate level. It places the student experience at the centre of our endeavours by engaging learners in a range of robust and challenging discussions and exercises befitting SOAS, University of London's status as a research-intensive university and its rich research heritage. The course will appeal to those of you who require an...

14. Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics

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If you’ve ever skipped over the results section of a medical paper because terms like “confidence interval” or “p-value” go over your head, then you’re in the right place. You may be a clinical practitioner reading research articles to keep up-to-date with developments in your field or a medical student wondering how to approach your own research. Greater confidence in understanding statistical analysis and the results can benefit both working professionals and those undertaking research...

15. Research Methods For Business Students

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A-Z guide to writing a rockstar Research Paper with a bulletproof Research Methodology!...

16. An Introduction to Online Quantitative Market Research

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Learn how to effectively conceptualise, design, execute and apply quantitative online research like a PRO!...

17. Qualitative Research

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In this course, the second in the Market Research Specialization, you will go in-depth with qualitative market research methods, from design to implementation to analysis. Week 1: Define qualitative research and how it differs from quantitative research. Explore the various qualitative research methods and evaluate when and how to use them for your research project. Week 2: Design the qualitative instruments necessary for your interviews or focus groups, and plan your recruitment efforts. Write...

18. Market Research: A-Z Fundamentals with Case Studies

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Learn Market Sizing & Forecasting, Survey Design, Customer & Competitor Analysis to become a PRO Market Research Analyst...

19. Marketing Research: support your marketing decisions

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Discover the extra advantage of any Business. A practical step by step guide to Marketing Information and Research...

20. Data Engineering using AWS Data Analytics

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(1,720)

Build Data Engineering Pipelines on AWS using Data Analytics Services - Glue, EMR, Athena, Kinesis, Lambda, Redshift...

Top 10 most affordable universities for assistant research engineers

The most affordable schools for assistant research engineers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and california state university - los angeles.

If the best universities for assistant research engineers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for assistant research engineers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

9. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

10. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,140

Cost of attendance

14,430

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for assistant research engineers

The hardest universities for assistant research engineers to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for assistant research engineers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for assistant research engineers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

6. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

9. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,566

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for assistant research engineers

The easiest schools for assistant research engineers to get into are AdventHealth University, the university of texas permian basin, and saint martin's university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an assistant research engineer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for assistant research engineers.

1. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

2. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

3. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

4. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

5. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

8. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

9. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

10. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

Average assistant research engineer salary by education level

According to our data, assistant research engineers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $95,066 annually. Assistant research engineers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $88,077.
Assistant research engineer education levelAssistant research engineer salary
Master's Degree$88,077
Bachelor's Degree$78,305
Doctorate Degree$95,066

Assistant research engineer education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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