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Designer and manufacturer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a designer and manufacturer. Designer and manufacturers usually study mechanical engineering, business, or electrical engineering. 64% of designer and manufacturers hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 550 real designer and manufacturer resumes to see exactly what designer and manufacturer education sections show.
The most common colleges for designer and manufacturers are the University of Florida and the University of Florida.
There are also many online designer and manufacturer courses to help get the education required to be a designer and manufacturer.
What education do you need to become a designer and manufacturer?
What degree do you need to be a designer and manufacturer?
- Bachelor's, 64%
- Associate, 22%
- Master's, 9%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a designer and manufacturer?
- Business, 12%
- Other Majors, 50%
Most common colleges for designer and manufacturers
| Designer and manufacturer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Florida | 9.84% |
| Fashion Institute of Technology | 8.20% |
| University of Phoenix | 6.56% |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology | 6.56% |
| University of Vermont | 4.92% |
Best majors for designer and manufacturers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechanical Engineering | 21.8% |
| 2 | Business | 12.2% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering | 9.2% |
| 4 | Drafting And Design | 7.3% |
| 5 | Graphic Design | 6.5% |
Best colleges for designer and manufacturers
The best colleges for designer and manufacturers are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Cornell University.
A designer and manufacturer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for designer and manufacturers. 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 designer and manufacturers.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
3. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
4. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
7. Clemson University
Clemson, SC • Private
In-state tuition
$15,374
Enrollment
19,564
8. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$15,094
Enrollment
32,974
9. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
10. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,620
Enrollment
27,730
20 best online courses for designer and manufacturers
Advertising disclosure
1. Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design and Manufacturing with Fusion 360
Design for manufacturing is the process of designing parts, components, or products with the understanding surrounding design requirements for a specific manufacturing method. This course explores the design for manufacture workflow and shows how to validate models and create the G code, the programming language needed to instruct the CNC machine on how to move. We practice the basics of part and assembly design, and tools such as animation, rendering, and simulations using Autodesk Fusion 360...
2. Intro to Digital Manufacturing with Autodesk Fusion 360
The manufacturing industry is making a digital transformation, allowing companies to customize production through advances in machine learning, sustainable design, generative design, and collaboration, with integrated design and manufacturing processes. This course introduces innovations in CAD and digital manufacturing, speaking to the rapid changes taking place that are forever transforming the future of making. This course will also explore foundational concepts behind Autodesk® Fusion 360™...
3. ISO 13485:2016 - Design and Development of Medical Devices
Design and Development of Medical Devices in the perspective of ISO 13485:2016 and Medical Devices Industry...
4. Manufacturing process selection and Design for manufacturing
Learn about the basics of selecting process for a mechanical design and the principles of design for Manufacturing...
5. ISO 13485 Demystified - Medical Devices' QMS 360° Insights
Deep dive into the world of ISO 13485 international standard for medical devices' QMS, basic concepts & requirements...
6. Manufacturing Guide for Mechanical Product Development
Learn how everyday physical products are manufactured with no prior experience in engineering...
7. ISO 13485 - IQOQPQ - Process Validation for Medical Devices
Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) & Performance Qualification (PQ) Medical Devices...
8. Operations Management: Supply Chains, Products and Services
Master Supply Chain Management and Product and Service Development in Manufacturing and Service Organizations...
9. Medical Devices Quality Management System - ISO 13485:2016
Awareness and Application for the requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...
10. Medical Device Process Validation. ISO 13485. IQ OQ PQ.
Validate a process to gain approval to sell medical devices in the EU, U.S. & Internationally. Compliance to ISO 13485...
11. EU Medical Device Regulatory Affairs explained Simply
How to get approval to sell Medical Devices within the European Union. Understand regulatory affairs & ISO 13485 2016...
12. Product and Service Management
Know the Work that is Involved in Getting a Product Onto the Shelf and a Service Ready for Effective Delivery...
13. Introduction to SOLIDWORKS
Learn the fundamentals of SOLIDWORKS engineering and design software including parts, drawings, and assemblies...
14. Product Design Management for Agile Practitioners
Application of product design management principles, concepts, tools and techniques in agile product management...
15. Fundamentals of Manufacturing for an ERP like SAP
Manufacturing Fundamentals...
16. Internal audit on Medical Device QMS - ISO 13485:2016
Successfully conduct an internal audit based on requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...
17. Mechanical design and Product development process
Learn the basic ideas and concepts behind developing mechanical products related to mechanical engineering...
18. Medical Device Regulation (MDR): Intro for Device Designers
An introduction to the EU's Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for those involved in developing medical devices...
19. Learning SOLIDWORKS: For Students, Engineers, and Designers
For Basic and Intermediate Users...
20. Manufacturing Operations - Planning, Management and Control
Cutting-Edge Production Management Methods That Will Help You Outperform the Competition...
Top 10 most affordable universities for designer and manufacturers
The most affordable schools for designer and manufacturers are United States Merchant Marine Academy, california state university - long beach, and florida international university.
If the best universities for designer and manufacturers 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 designer and manufacturers.
1. United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$1,080
Cost of attendance
6,646
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
5. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
6. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
8. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
10. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for designer and manufacturers
The hardest universities for designer and manufacturers to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Cornell University.
Some great schools for designer and manufacturers 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 designer and manufacturers 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. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
4. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
9. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
10. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for designer and manufacturers
The easiest schools for designer and manufacturers to get into are The University of Texas at El Paso, saint cloud state university, and saint martin's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a designer and manufacturer 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 designer and manufacturers.
1. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
2. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
3. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
4. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
5. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
6. Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, MA • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,127
7. Portland State University
Portland, OR • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,111
8. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
9. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
10. The Citadel
Charleston, SC • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,129
Average designer and manufacturer salary by education level
| Designer and manufacturer education level | Designer and manufacturer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $72,572 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $62,990 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $50,959 |
Designer and manufacturer 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