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Consulting Engineer Education Requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a consulting engineer. Consulting engineers usually study mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or civil engineering. 69% of consulting engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 8,442 real consulting engineer resumes to see exactly what consulting engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for consulting engineers are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online consulting engineer courses to help get the education required to be a consulting engineer.
There are certain consulting engineer certifications that you should consider. These consulting engineer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and Six Sigma Green Belt.
What education do you need to become a consulting engineer?
What degree do you need to be a consulting engineer?
- Bachelor's, 69%
- Master's, 17%
- Associate, 8%
- Doctorate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a consulting engineer?
- Civil Engineering, 11%
- Engineering, 6%
- Other Majors, 39%
Most common colleges for consulting engineers
| Consulting Engineer Common College | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 8.00% |
| Purdue University | 7.75% |
| Northeastern University | 7.63% |
| Texas A&M University | 6.50% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 5.63% |
Best majors for consulting engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechanical Engineering | 23.8% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 19.7% |
| 3 | Civil Engineering | 10.6% |
| 4 | Engineering | 5.9% |
| 5 | Business | 5.7% |
Best colleges for consulting engineers
The best colleges for consulting engineers are Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Carnegie Mellon University.
A consulting 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 consulting 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 consulting engineers.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
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. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-State Tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-State Tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-State Tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
10. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-State Tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
20 best online courses for consulting engineers
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How to manage successfully a consulting project - a practical guide for Project Managers...
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Consulting Business 90-Step Startup + 5-Phase Consulting Business Proposal Plan to Start Consulting Business Fast...
5. Data Engineering Essentials using SQL, Python, and PySpark
Learn key Data Engineering Skills such as SQL, Python, Apache Spark (Spark SQL and Pyspark) with Exercises and Projects...
6. Diploma in Basics of Civil Engineering for Construction
Practical Course to Gain Quick Knowledge in Civil Engineering & Get Entry Level Jobs in Construction as Freshers...
7. Consulting Business Masterclass: Start A Consulting Business
The Complete A-Z Consulting Course for Everyone Who Wants to Become Location-Independent...
8. Business Analysis Fundamentals for Management Consultants
A practical guide for Business Analysts and Management Consultants with exercises in Excel...
9. Management Consulting Essential Training
Everything you need to know about the techniques of world's top management consulting firms to land 6-figure job offer...
10. Performance Improvement Projects for Management Consultants
A practical guide on how to conduct consulting projects on the level of Mc Kinsey, Bain, BCG, Pw C...
11. FMCG for Management Consultants and Business Analysts
A practical guide on how to analyze in Excel and improve consumer goods business during consulting projects...
12. Sales Analysis for Management Consultants
A practical guide on how to improve sales and marketing of your customers during consulting projects like Mc Kinsey, BCG,...
13. Retail for Business Analysts and Management Consultants
A practical guide with cases studies how to analyze and improve a retail business during management consulting projects...
14. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)
Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...
15. Logistics for Management Consultants - a practical guide
Learn to analyze, optimize logistics as a management consultant during consulting project on the basis of cases provided...
16. Management Consulting Techniques, Tools and Frameworks
Most useful consulting skills, techniques from top consulting firms like Mc Kinsey, BCG, Bain...
17. Complete Field Instrumentation Engineering Course
Flow, Level, Temperature and Pressure Instrument - Selection, Sizing, Calculation and Detail Engineering...
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19. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )
A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...
20. Power Engineering: Power System Analysis - Part 1
Start your career in electrical engineering and power engineering by learning the fundamentals of power system analysis...
Top 10 most affordable universities for consulting engineers
The most affordable schools for consulting engineers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and florida state university.
If the best universities for consulting 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 consulting 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. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,656
Cost of Attendance
21,623
4. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-State Tuition
$4,831
Cost of Attendance
19,559
5. 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
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,620
Cost of Attendance
18,136
7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,353
Cost of Attendance
21,302
8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-State Tuition
$4,094
Cost of Attendance
14,302
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,410
Cost of Attendance
20,456
10. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,893
Cost of Attendance
18,870
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for consulting engineers
The hardest universities for consulting engineers to get into are Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for consulting 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 consulting 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. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions Rate
11%
SAT Average
1,513
2. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
6%
SAT Average
1,512
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
17%
SAT Average
1,507
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,508
5. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
11%
SAT Average
1,471
6. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
7%
SAT Average
1,566
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
7%
SAT Average
1,545
8. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions Rate
22%
SAT Average
1,465
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
4%
SAT Average
1,497
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
19%
SAT Average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for consulting engineers
The easiest schools for consulting engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, south dakota state university, and alabama a & m university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a consulting 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 consulting engineers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions Rate
96%
SAT Average
1,139
2. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions Rate
92%
SAT Average
1,149
3. Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL • Private
Admissions Rate
90%
SAT Average
957
4. Portland State University
Portland, OR • Private
Admissions Rate
90%
SAT Average
1,111
5. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions Rate
88%
SAT Average
1,111
6. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
Altoona, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
91%
SAT Average
1,094
7. California State University - Chico
Chico, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
65%
SAT Average
1,092
8. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions Rate
97%
SAT Average
1,080
9. Washington State University
Pullman, WA • Private
Admissions Rate
77%
SAT Average
1,123
10. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions Rate
87%
SAT Average
1,093
Average consulting engineer salary by education level
| Consulting Engineer education level | Consulting Engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $108,812 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $96,790 |
| Doctorate Degree | $117,404 |
Consulting Engineer Education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025