Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Chief engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a chief engineer. Chief engineers usually study mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or business. 49% of chief engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 14,500 real chief engineer resumes to see exactly what chief engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for chief engineers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online chief engineer courses to help get the education required to be a chief engineer.
There are certain chief engineer certifications that you should consider. These chief engineer certifications include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and OSHA Safety Certificate .
What education do you need to become a chief engineer?
What degree do you need to be a chief engineer?
- Bachelor's, 49%
- Associate, 16%
- Master's, 13%
- High School Diploma, 9%
- Other Degrees, 13%
What should I major in to become a chief engineer?
- Business, 11%
- Engineering, 9%
- Other Majors, 48%
Most common colleges for chief engineers
| Chief engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 10.68% |
| Purdue University | 8.31% |
| Massachusetts Maritime Academy | 7.29% |
| Maine Maritime Academy | 7.12% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 5.59% |
Best majors for chief engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechanical Engineering | 16.3% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 16.1% |
| 3 | Business | 11.1% |
| 4 | Engineering | 8.9% |
| 5 | Heating And Air Conditioning | 6.1% |
Best colleges for chief engineers
The best colleges for chief engineers are California Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A chief 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 chief 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 chief engineers.
1. Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,646
Enrollment
5,736
2. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
3. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
6. Iowa State University of Science and Technology
Ames, IA • Private
In-state tuition
$8,988
Enrollment
29,248
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
8. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
9. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
10. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,555
Enrollment
30,360
20 best online courses for chief engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Introduction to Systems Engineering
Introduction to Systems Engineering introduces you to the holistic and interdisciplinary systems engineering approach to designing, realizing, and managing complex systems. In this three-course specialization, you will learn how to evolve a project from idea to fielded hardware customized to meet customer requirements while effectively managing costs, timescales, and limiting risks. You will identify and define a system and its components, model a system life cycle, and apply systems...
2. The Need for Systems Engineering
Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to designing, realizing, and managing complex systems. In this course, you will be introduced to principles of systems engineering and its importance to the development of complex systems. You will learn to identify and define systems, manage their complexity, and describe their life cycle. The course uses real-world engineering examples to address how the systems engineering approach can address challenges. This course can be taken for...
3. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )
A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...
4. Product Development & Systems Engineering
The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...
5. Electrical Power Engineering Principles
Learn all the basic theories and principles of electrical engineering...
6. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)
Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...
7. Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Explained
Learn how things work! Boilers, engines, valves, transformers, pumps, learn it all in this constantly growing course!...
8. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...
9. Unreal Engine: Character Skill System
Master the tools used to build Fortnite as we craft our very own character skill system using the Unreal Engine!...
10. Power Engineering: Power System Analysis - Part 1
Start your career in electrical engineering and power engineering by learning the fundamentals of power system analysis...
11. Internal Combustion Engine Basics (Mechanical Engineering)
Learn how internal combustion engines work! Learn all of a combustion engine's main components and how they work!...
12. Unreal Engine 5: Soulslike Melee Combat System
Make a complete third person souls-like action RPG melee combat system in Unreal Engine 5!...
13. Construction Site Electrical System Design
Learn how to design a safe, flexible and durable electrical system for any construction site...
14. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
15. Electricity for Electronics, Electrical Engineering A-Z 2023
Fundamentals of Electricity & Electric Circuits for Electronics - Circuit Design - Electrical Engineering...
16. Mechanics / Statics - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Solid Mechanics / Engineering Statics...
17. Electric Circuits for Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Start your career in electrical & electronics engineering by learning everything about electric circuits and electronics...
18. Requirements Engineering: Software Engineering
Everything you need to know about software requirements: elicitation, analysis, documentation, validation and management...
19. Ultimate Electricity Generation, HV, and Substations Bundle
This electrical engineering bundle consists of electrical substations, high voltage, and electricity generation courses...
20. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - A mechanical engineering approach to risk management of plant and machinery...
Top 10 most affordable universities for chief engineers
The most affordable schools for chief engineers are Brigham Young University, inter american university of puerto rico arecibo, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.
If the best universities for chief 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 chief engineers.
1. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
2. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,872
Cost of attendance
13,476
3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
4. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
5. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German
San German, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
14,322
7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
8. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Cost of attendance
28,501
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for chief engineers
The hardest universities for chief engineers to get into are California Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for chief 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 chief 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. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
7. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
8. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
9. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for chief engineers
The easiest schools for chief engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, saint martin's university, and cleveland state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a chief 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 chief engineers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
3. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
4. Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
957
5. University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,050
6. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
7. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
8. Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,026
9. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
10. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
Average chief engineer salary by education level
| Chief engineer education level | Chief engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $128,963 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $106,313 |
| Doctorate Degree | $146,190 |
Chief engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
Search for chief engineer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025