Control specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a control specialist. Control specialists usually study business, accounting, or electrical engineering. 50% of control specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 7,370 real control specialist resumes to see exactly what control specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for control specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online control specialist courses to help get the education required to be a control specialist.

There are certain control specialist certifications that you should consider. These control specialist certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

What education do you need to become a control specialist?

What degree do you need to be a control specialist?

The most common degree for control specialists is bachelor's degree, with 50% of control specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 23% and associate degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 50%

Associate, 23%

High School Diploma, 12%

Master's, 8%

Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a control specialist?

You should major in business to become a control specialist. 30% of control specialists major in business. Other common majors for a control specialist include accounting and electrical engineering.

Business, 30%

Accounting, 10%

Electrical Engineering, 7%

Criminal Justice, 6%

Other Majors, 47%

Most common colleges for control specialists

Control specialists often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of Maryland - College Park, and DeVry University. Here are the most common colleges for control specialists in the US based on their resumes.

Control specialist common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	27.39%
University of Maryland - College Park	6.72%
DeVry University	5.68%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	5.43%
California State University - San Bernardino	4.65%

Show more common control specialist colleges

Best majors for control specialists

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	29.9%
2	Accounting	9.6%
3	Electrical Engineering	6.8%
4	Criminal Justice	5.6%
5	Finance	5.5%

Show more common control specialist majors

Best colleges for control specialists

The best colleges for control specialists are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and New York University.

A control specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for control specialists. 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 control specialists.

1. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

4. Ball State University

Muncie, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,896

Enrollment

15,529

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

7. Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$11,105

Enrollment

13,729

8. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

9. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

10. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

20 best online courses for control specialists

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1. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)

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Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...

2. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design

4.2

(338)

Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...

3. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control

4.2

(791)

Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...

4. Project Schedule: Monitor & Control Specialist (Accredited)

4.6

(515)

Schedule Management: Monitor & Control Schedule, Analyze Schedule, Solve Project Schedule Problems Earn CPDs & PDUs...

5. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring

4.4

(1,188)

Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...

6. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls

4.5

(645)

Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...

7. Introduction to PLC's [Programmable Logic Controllers]-07-21

(502)

This course is a great introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers Theory, Principles, and Programming Applications...

8. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide

4.4

(798)

Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...

9. PLC & AC Drive with Automatic & Manual Industrial Control

4.2

(501)

this course will take newbies to a higher level to deal with complex PLC projects, Motor Drives ( VFD ) & Manual Control...

10. Inventory Management: Safety Stock Calculation and Control

4.6

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Optimize your Supply Chain Safety Stock. Simple to Advanced Methods. Reduce Costs and Risk in your Business Operations...

11. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC

4.6

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Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...

12. SAP Finance and Controlling

(638)

Master SAP Finance and Controlling...

13. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS

4.5

(783)

Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...

14. IT Audit Fundamentals Introduction to Controls

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Learn foundational principles of IT audits and controls...

15. Model, Simulate and Control a Drone in MATLAB & SIMULINK

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Simulate a DJI Mavic Pro in Matlab & SIMULINK and design your own PID controllers for altitude and attitude control...

16. SAP Controlling

4.4

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SAP Controlling...

17. HVAC Fundamentals and BMS Controls

4.3

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Build your knowledge systematically, from the working principles of HVAC to optimizing a chiller plant operation...

18. Git Github Gitkraken: Version Control without Command Line

4.9

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Learn Version Control using one of the most intuitive graphical user interface for Git. Just Point and Click...

19. Supply Chain: Inventory Control & Safety Stock Calculation

4.5

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Reduce Operational Cost by Optimizing in Inventory Levels...

20. Electrical Control & Protection Systems

4.6

(1,763)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

Top 10 most affordable universities for control specialists

The most affordable schools for control specialists are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and usf sarasota-manatee.

If the best universities for control specialists 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 control specialists.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

8. Dickinson State University

Dickinson, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$6,768

Cost of attendance

15,506

9. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

10. Brigham Young University - Hawaii

Laie, HI • Private

In-state tuition

$5,560

Cost of attendance

18,043

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for control specialists

The hardest universities for control specialists to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and New York University.

Some great schools for control specialists 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 control specialists 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. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

7. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

9. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

10. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for control specialists

The easiest schools for control specialists to get into are D'Youville College, holy names university, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a control specialist 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 control specialists.

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

2. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

7. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

10. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

Average control specialist salary by education level

According to our data, control specialists with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $99,512 annually. Control specialists with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $90,833.

Control specialist education level	Control specialist salary
High School Diploma or Less	$79,715
Bachelor's Degree	$99,512
Some College/ Associate Degree	$90,833

Control specialist education FAQs

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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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