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Camera engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a camera engineer. Camera engineers usually study photography, communication, or digital media. 73% of camera engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 41 real camera engineer resumes to see exactly what camera engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for camera engineers are the Southern Connecticut State University and the Southern Connecticut State University.

There are also many online camera engineer courses to help get the education required to be a camera engineer.

What education do you need to become a camera engineer?

What degree do you need to be a camera engineer?

The most common degree for camera engineers is bachelor's degree, with 73% of camera engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 14% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 73%
  • Associate, 14%
  • Master's, 9%
  • High School Diploma, 5%

What should I major in to become a camera engineer?

You should major in photography to become a camera engineer. 22% of camera engineers major in photography. Other common majors for a camera engineer include communication and digital media.

Most common colleges for camera engineers

Camera engineers often get their degrees at Southern Connecticut State University, Temple University, and University of Central Florida. Here are the most common colleges for camera engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Camera engineer common collegePercentages
Southern Connecticut State University5.56%
Temple University5.56%
University of Central Florida5.56%
Bates College5.56%
Lyndon State College5.56%

Best majors for camera engineers

Best colleges for camera engineers

The best colleges for camera engineers are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Harvard University.

A camera 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 camera 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 camera engineers.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

3. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

9. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

20 best online courses for camera engineers

Advertising disclosure

1. Create a First-Person Camera (VM-Compatible!) in Unity

coursera

In this one-hour, project-based course, you will learn how to create a camera controller for a First Person Shooter game that will work on any computer and virtual machine. This project covers setting up the FPS camera and player, writing C# scripts that will control the player's movement using the keyboard keys, and controlling the camera angle using the mouse. Note: Ordinarily, an FPS camera would use Input.GetAxis() in Unity. This works on all platforms but often breaks when using the Unity...

2. Video Production Masterclass: Complete Video Camera Course

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Learn to Use Any Photography Camera or Video Camera to Make Great Videos With Any Budget for Personal or Business Use...

3. Digital SLR Cameras & Photography For Dummies Video Training

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4.3
(695)

Easy-to-follow video training on getting better photos with a digital SLR camera!...

4. Media Training: Have More Confidence on Camera

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4.3
(523)

Feel more confident on camera! Media training for You Tubers, coaches, course creators, journalists, video creators...

5. Photography Beginners: DSLR Photography Camera Settings

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Photography settings - learn how to get the most from your DSLR camera and improve your photography!...

6. Photography: 10 Top Tips - Be More Creative with Your Camera

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Learn about different types of light and to use your DSLR, mirrorless or compact camera on manual mode...

7. Complete Media Training Master Class - Confidence on Camera

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4.7
(987)

TJ Walker's Incredibly Thorough and Comprehensive Media Training Course for Every Situation, Audience and Skill Level...

8. Beginner Digital Photography, How Do I Use My Camera?

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4.8
(374)

Learn how to use your camera intuitively without memorizing or taking notes...

9. Sony Photography: Getting Started with Your Sony Camera

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Improve your photography by learning how to confidently use your Sony mirrorless camera!...

10. Nikon Camera Photography: Getting Started with Your Nikon

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Improve your photography by learning how to confidently use your Nikon DSLR camera - perfect for beginner photographers!...

11. Photography - The Nikon D3400 DSLR Camera user course

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Master your Nikon D3400 DSLR and shoot great pictures and videos...

12. Canon Camera Course: Getting Started with Canon Photography

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Improve your photography by learning how to confidently use your Canon DSLR camera - perfect for beginner photographers!...

13. Photography - Canon EOS 1300D / REBEL T6 Camera User Course

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Master your Canon Eos 1300D / Rebel T6 and take great photographs and videos - Ideal for Beginners and Hobbyists...

14. Digital Photography for Beginners with DSLR cameras

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Learn how to take stunning photographs by mastering both the technical and creative sides of digital photography...

15. DSLR Video Production & Videography: Better Video Today

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5
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Learn how to shoot beautiful video with your DSLR camera. This is the perfect video course for beginners and hobbyists...

16. Photography - Canon 2000D/1500D/REBEL T7 Camera User Course

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4.7
(777)

Master your Canon EOS 2000D/1500D/ Rebel T7 and take great photographs and videos - Ideal for Beginners and Hobbyists...

17. A Masterclass in Photography: Creative Camera Confidence

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4.9
(969)

Five camera settings, use of light & composition are all you need for awesome images. I promise it's easy.....

18. Film using ANY Camera! Basics of Shooting Video Correctly

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4.7
(2,190)

Complete guide to filming on a Phone, DSLR, Mirrorless, or Cinema Camera...

19. Confidence On Camera: Make Amazing Videos, Easily.

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4.6
(6,885)

Learn how to put YOURSELF in front of the lens to connect with your audience and build a tribe of fans...

20. On-Camera Charisma for YouTube Stars - YouTube Marketing

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4.9
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The Ultimate in You Tube Marketing is You Being a Dynamic, Charismatic Host. Here are the Secrets Used by You Tube Stars...

Top 10 most affordable universities for camera engineers

The most affordable schools for camera engineers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for camera 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 camera 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. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

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 camera engineers

The hardest universities for camera engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for camera 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 camera 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

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,545

6. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for camera engineers

The easiest schools for camera engineers to get into are Barry University, mount saint mary's university, and university of the incarnate word.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a camera 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 camera engineers.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

6. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

67%

SAT average

987

7. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

8. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

9. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

10. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

Average camera engineer salary by education level

According to our data, camera engineers with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $84,869 annually. Camera engineers with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $78,679.
Camera engineer education levelCamera engineer salary
Bachelor's Degree$84,869
Some College/ Associate Degree$78,679

Camera 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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