Associate research engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an associate research engineer. Associate research engineers usually study mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or electrical engineering. 65% of associate research engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 443 real associate research engineer resumes to see exactly what associate research engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for associate research engineers are the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at Austin.

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

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

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

The most common degree for associate research engineers is bachelor's degree, with 65% of associate research engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 20% and master's degree degree at 11%.

Bachelor's, 65%

Master's, 20%

Doctorate, 11%

Associate, 3%

Other Degrees, 1%

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

You should major in mechanical engineering to become an associate research engineer. 17% of associate research engineers major in mechanical engineering. Other common majors for an associate research engineer include chemical engineering and electrical engineering.

Mechanical Engineering, 17%

Chemical Engineering, 17%

Electrical Engineering, 12%

Chemistry, 7%

Other Majors, 47%

Most common colleges for associate research engineers

Associate research engineers often get their degrees at University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M; University, and University of California - Davis. Here are the most common colleges for associate research engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Associate research engineer common college	Percentages
University of Texas at Austin	8.91%
Texas A&M University	7.92%
University of California - Davis	6.93%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	5.94%
Ohio State University	5.94%

Show more common associate research engineer colleges

Best majors for associate research engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Mechanical Engineering	17.5%
2	Chemical Engineering	16.5%
3	Electrical Engineering	12.2%
4	Chemistry	6.9%
5	Biomedical Engineering	6.9%

Show more common associate research engineer majors

Best colleges for associate research engineers

The best colleges for associate research engineers are Northwestern University, California Institute of Technology, and Johns Hopkins University.

An associate 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 associate 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 associate research engineers.

1. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

4. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

7. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

8. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

9. Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$52,930

Enrollment

5,030

10. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

20 best online courses for associate research engineers

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1. Understanding Research Methods

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Preparation course for Databricks Data Engineer Associate certification exam (Versions 2 and 3) with hands-on training...

5. Uncertainty and Research

This course teaches the fundamentals of scientific research. We approach the research process as a means of systematically reducing uncertainty and demonstrate how conducting a scientific investigation can be posed as an exercise in Bayesian uncertainty quantification. We begin by exploring the scientific landscape to understand the different types of research, where they are conducted, how they are supported, and why each of these types of research is important. We then formalize scientific...

6. Operations Research (2): Optimization Algorithms

Operations Research (OR) is a field in which people use mathematical and engineering methods to study optimization problems in Business and Management, Economics, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, etc. The series of courses consists of three parts, we focus on deterministic optimization techniques, which is a major part of the field of OR. As the second part of the series, we study some efficient algorithms for solving linear programs, integer programs, and nonlinear...

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10. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

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

11. Research Methods and Statistics: An Introduction (2023 Ed.)

4.2

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A Primer in Research Methodology and Statistics in the Social Sciences (2023 Edition)...

12. Research Methods For Business Students

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

13. Marketing Research: support your marketing decisions

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14. Qualitative Data Analysis using MAXQDA: Scratch to Advanced

4.1

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

15. Global Marketing Research and Analytics

4.3

(375)

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

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

4.4

(452)

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

17. SPSS For Research

4.4

(1,839)

SPSS data analysis made easy. Become an expert in advanced statistical analysis with SPSS...

18. GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Certification: Google Cloud

4.4

(1,560)

Learn Google Cloud - GCP with 90+ Hands-on demo Lab & make yourself fully prepared for GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Exam...

19. Databricks Certified Associate Data Engineer Practice Exams

4.4

(255)

Practice exams for Databricks Data Engineer Associate certification exam with in-depth explanation for each question...

20. An Introduction to Online Quantitative Market Research

4.7

(827)

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

Top 10 most affordable universities for associate research engineers

The most affordable schools for associate research engineers are California State University - Long Beach, university of florida, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for associate 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 associate research engineers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

8. West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV • Private

In-state tuition

$7,464

Cost of attendance

17,166

9. 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

10. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for associate research engineers

The hardest universities for associate research engineers to get into are Northwestern University, California Institute of Technology, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for associate 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 associate 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,566

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

5. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

7. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,465

8. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

10. Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,443

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

The easiest schools for associate research engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, cleveland state university, and texas a&m; university - kingsville.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an associate 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 associate research engineers.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

3. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

4. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

5. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,107

6. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

957

7. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

8. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

9. Prairie View A & M University

Prairie View, TX • Private

Admissions rate

74%

SAT average

980

10. Washington State University

Pullman, WA • Private

Admissions rate

77%

SAT average

1,123

Average associate research engineer salary by education level

Associate research engineers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $92,695 annually. With a Master's degree, associate research engineers earn a median annual income of $85,343 compared to $75,143 for associate research engineers with an Bachelor's degree.

Associate research engineer education level	Associate research engineer salary
Master's Degree	$85,343
Bachelor's Degree	$75,143
Doctorate Degree	$92,695

Associate research engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Associate Research Engineers?

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Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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