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Electrical specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an electrical specialist. Electrical specialists usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or business. 36% of electrical specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 30% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 761 real electrical specialist resumes to see exactly what electrical specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for electrical specialists are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.
There are also many online electrical specialist courses to help get the education required to be an electrical specialist.
What education do you need to become an electrical specialist?
What degree do you need to be an electrical specialist?
- Bachelor's, 36%
- Associate, 30%
- High School Diploma, 21%
- Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become an electrical specialist?
- Business, 12%
- Other Majors, 35%
Most common colleges for electrical specialists
| Electrical specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| DeVry University | 8.16% |
| Western Washington University | 8.16% |
| Lamar University | 8.16% |
| Aquinas College | 6.12% |
| University of Phoenix | 6.12% |
Best majors for electrical specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 25.8% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 19.8% |
| 3 | Business | 12.0% |
| 4 | Electrical And Power Transmission Installers | 7.1% |
| 5 | General Studies | 4.6% |
Best colleges for electrical specialists
The best colleges for electrical specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
An electrical 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 electrical 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 electrical specialists.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,926
Enrollment
9,835
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Enrollment
2,120
6. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
8. University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Lincoln, NE • Private
In-state tuition
$9,242
Enrollment
20,592
9. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
10. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
20 best online courses for electrical specialists
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1. Electric Power Systems
This course familiarizes you with standards and policies of the electric utility industry, and provides you with basic vocabulary used in the business. It introduces the electric power system, from generation of the electricity all the way to the wall plug. You will learn about the segments of the system, and common components like power cables and transformers. This course is for individuals considering a career in the energy field (who have a high school diploma, at minimum, and basic...
2. Renewable Power and Electricity Systems
The energy revolution in underway. Renewable energy is growing at an astounding pace - notably in electricity. Wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems account for most new power plants built worldwide, and are essential to building a low-carbon and sustainable energy future. As a result, there are countless new opportunities in renewable electricity. This course provides a solid grounding in the basics of renewable electricity. We'll start with how electricity is measured, how...
3. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
4. Electrical Control & Protection Part 4
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical network...
5. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
6. Electrical Control & Protection Part 3
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical network...
7. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...
8. High Voltage Electric Vehicle Safety
Electric Vehicle Safety Battery Pack Fire Safety Electric Shock Safety Accidental Safety High Voltage Components...
9. The Complete Electrical Power Control and Protection
Your Complete Practical Guide in Electrical Control & Protection Systems for Stations , Substations & Distribution Zones...
10. Electrical Low Voltage System Distribution Design
Design of Power & Lighting Distribution System using Auto CAD, DIALux, & Low Voltage Calculations Using Excel Sheets...
11. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)
Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...
12. Fundamentals of Electrical Controls
Learn the parts and wiring techniques used in a motor control installation, become a Controls Electrician...
13. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control
Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...
14. Data Center Essentials: Power & Electrical
The power & electrical systems that support data centers and the internet...
15. Construction Site Electrical System Design
Learn how to design a safe, flexible and durable electrical system for any construction site...
16. Electrical Schematics (Industrial Controls)
Learn to read, understand & design power & control circuits. Foundational course to learn electrical wiring drawings...
17. Ultimate Electrical Machines for Electrical Engineering
Learn about different electrical machines such as DC, synchronous, and induction machines without any previous knowledge...
18. Ultimate Electricity Generation, HV, and Substations Bundle
This electrical engineering bundle consists of electrical substations, high voltage, and electricity generation courses...
19. Electrical Power Distribution With,AutoCAD,Excel,DIALUX,Etap
A Practical Complete Guide for Designing Electrical Low Voltage Distribution Systems with Excel ,Dia LUX , Auto CAD & ETAP...
20. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC
Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...
Top 10 most affordable universities for electrical specialists
The most affordable schools for electrical specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for electrical 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 electrical specialists.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
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. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for electrical specialists
The hardest universities for electrical specialists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for electrical 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 electrical 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
10. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for electrical specialists
The easiest schools for electrical specialists to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, capitol technology university, and oregon institute of technology.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an electrical 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 electrical specialists.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
3. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
6. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
7. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
8. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
9. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)
Lemont Furnace, PA • Private
Admissions rate
80%
SAT average
1,067
10. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois
DuBois, PA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,079
Average electrical specialist salary by education level
| Electrical specialist education level | Electrical specialist salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $73,609 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $74,420 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $74,854 |
Electrical specialist 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