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Automation & controls engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an automation & controls engineer. Automation & controls engineers usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or mechatronics and robotics. 71% of automation & controls engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 362 real automation & controls engineer resumes to see exactly what automation & controls engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for automation & controls engineers are the Purdue University and the Purdue University.
There are also many online automation & controls engineer courses to help get the education required to be an automation & controls engineer.
What education do you need to become an automation & controls engineer?
What degree do you need to be an automation & controls engineer?
- Bachelor's, 71%
- Associate, 12%
- Master's, 11%
- Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become an automation & controls engineer?
- Other Majors, 32%
Most common colleges for automation & controls engineers
| Automation & controls engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Purdue University | 8.93% |
| Kansas State University | 7.14% |
| DeVry University | 7.14% |
| Michigan Technological University | 5.36% |
| Texas A&M University | 5.36% |
Best majors for automation & controls engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 48.4% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 9.3% |
| 3 | Mechatronics And Robotics | 5.8% |
| 4 | Mechanical Engineering | 4.7% |
| 5 | Business | 4.3% |
Best colleges for automation & controls engineers
The best colleges for automation & controls engineers are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
An automation & controls 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 automation & controls 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 automation & controls engineers.
1. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
3. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
4. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
5. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,785
Enrollment
7,711
6. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
7. Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$40,749
Enrollment
2,582
8. Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$11,870
Enrollment
53,194
9. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,926
Enrollment
9,835
10. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$19,080
Enrollment
19,127
20 best online courses for automation & controls engineers
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3. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control
Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...
4. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design
Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...
5. PLC & AC Drive with Automatic & Manual Industrial Control
this course will take newbies to a higher level to deal with complex PLC projects, Motor Drives ( VFD ) & Manual Control...
6. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC
Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...
7. Introduction to PLC's [Programmable Logic Controllers]-07-21
This course is a great introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers Theory, Principles, and Programming Applications...
8. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)
Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...
9. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...
10. Model a Car and Design a PID Controller in MATLAB/SIMULINK
Model and simulate an electric car (Tesla Model S) in MATLAB & SIMULINK and design your own PID speed controller...
11. Model, Simulate and Control a Drone in MATLAB & SIMULINK
Simulate a DJI Mavic Pro in Matlab & SIMULINK and design your own PID controllers for altitude and attitude control...
12. From Wire to PLC , A Bootcamp In Industrial Automation
Build Electrical Automation Projects From Sctratch. Starting From Wires , Control Circuits And Ending With PLC And HMI...
13. PID Control with Arduino
Learn to implement the widely used industrial controller on the Arduino platform! (For students, makers, and engineers)...
14. Factory Automation using PLC Logics
Interactive 3D platform to build and simulate Industrial Automation system...
15. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring
Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...
16. AutoCAD Electrical 2020 for Electrical & Automation Eng
Control panel schematic & layout...
17. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls
Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...
18. Git Github Gitkraken: Version Control without Command Line
Learn Version Control using one of the most intuitive graphical user interface for Git. Just Point and Click...
19. PLC, Arduino and HMI Projects over Modbus TCP: From Scratch
Design from A-Z control projects using Arduino, Soft PLC, HMI, VFD, Mod Bus TCP and Electrical panel with full simulation...
20. PLC Programming - Training from Scratch on RSLogix500 & 5000
PLC programming from scratch training class by a controls engineer equipped with PLC systems - Allen Bradley RSLogix 500...
Top 10 most affordable universities for automation & controls engineers
The most affordable schools for automation & controls engineers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.
If the best universities for automation & controls 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 automation & controls engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
6. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley, WV • Private
In-state tuition
$7,464
Cost of attendance
17,166
9. National University College - Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$6,675
Cost of attendance
12,941
10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for automation & controls engineers
The hardest universities for automation & controls engineers to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for automation & controls 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 automation & controls 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. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
5. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
8. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
9. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
10. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for automation & controls engineers
The easiest schools for automation & controls engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an automation & controls 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 automation & controls engineers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
3. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
Altoona, PA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,094
4. Pennsylvania State University - Berks
Reading, PA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,107
5. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
6. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,068
7. Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
957
8. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
9. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
10. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
Average automation & controls engineer salary by education level
| Automation & controls engineer education level | Automation & controls engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $97,394 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $87,583 |
| Doctorate Degree | $106,678 |
Automation & controls engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025