Electrical systems engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an electrical systems engineer. Electrical systems engineers usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or computer engineering. 71% of electrical systems engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 906 real electrical systems engineer resumes to see exactly what electrical systems engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for electrical systems engineers are the University of Central Florida and the University of Central Florida.

There are also many online electrical systems engineer courses to help get the education required to be an electrical systems engineer.

There are certain electrical systems engineer certifications that you should consider. These electrical systems engineer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP).

What education do you need to become an electrical systems engineer?

What degree do you need to be an electrical systems engineer?

The most common degree for electrical systems engineers is bachelor's degree, with 71% of electrical systems engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 15% and master's degree degree at 11%.

Bachelor's, 71%

Master's, 15%

Associate, 11%

Diploma, 1%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become an electrical systems engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become an electrical systems engineer. 63% of electrical systems engineers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for an electrical systems engineer include electrical engineering technology and computer engineering.

Electrical Engineering, 63%

Electrical Engineering Technology, 7%

Computer Engineering, 5%

Engineering, 4%

Other Majors, 21%

Most common colleges for electrical systems engineers

Electrical systems engineers often get their degrees at University of Central Florida, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Purdue University. Here are the most common colleges for electrical systems engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Electrical systems engineer common college	Percentages
University of Central Florida	7.41%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	7.41%
Purdue University	6.67%
Northeastern University	6.67%
Wayne State University	5.93%

Show more common electrical systems engineer colleges

Best majors for electrical systems engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	63.0%
2	Electrical Engineering Technology	7.5%
3	Computer Engineering	5.2%
4	Engineering	4.5%
5	Mechanical Engineering	3.3%

Show more common electrical systems engineer majors

Best colleges for electrical systems engineers

The best colleges for electrical systems engineers are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

An electrical systems 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 electrical systems 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 electrical systems engineers.

1. Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,646

Enrollment

5,736

2. Wentworth Institute of Technology

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$33,950

Enrollment

4,254

3. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

9. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

20 best online courses for electrical systems engineers

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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. Electrical Control & Protection Systems

4.6

(1,763)

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

3. Construction Site Electrical System Design

4.6

(454)

Learn how to design a safe, flexible and durable electrical system for any construction site...

4. Electrical Low Voltage System Distribution Design

4.6

(421)

Design of Power & Lighting Distribution System using Auto CAD, DIALux, & Low Voltage Calculations Using Excel Sheets...

5. 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!...

6. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics

4.6

(960)

Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...

7. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2

4.7

(718)

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

8. The Complete Electrical Power Control and Protection

4.6

(519)

Your Complete Practical Guide in Electrical Control & Protection Systems for Stations , Substations & Distribution Zones...

9. Product Development & Systems Engineering

4.6

(3,086)

The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...

10. Software Architecture & System Design Practical Case Studies

4.7

(250)

Design Real-life Large Scale Systems, Practice Modern Software Architecture & Prepare for a System Design Interview...

11. Electric Circuits for Electrical Engineering and Electronics

4.5

(593)

Start your career in electrical & electronics engineering by learning everything about electric circuits and electronics...

12. Electric Vehicle Battery Management System - Course

4.2

(398)

Battery management system battery design & modelling Electric vehicle Lithium ion battery management Simulation...

13. Electrical Control & Protection Part 4

4.5

(293)

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

14. ETAP Power System Analysis For Electrical Engineers

4.3

(1,061)

Learn ETAP, Power System Analysis and Supporting Hand Calculations From Scratch...

15. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )

4.3

(377)

A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...

16. Power Engineering: Power System Analysis - Part 1

4.6

(394)

Start your career in electrical engineering and power engineering by learning the fundamentals of power system analysis...

17. Electrical Control & Protection Part 3

4.7

(435)

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

18. Pragmatic System Design

4.5

(3,283)

Master System Design Interviews: Learn Practical Approaches and Boost Your Career...

19. BMS - Building management system

4.1

(295)

BMS, building management system & building automation systems study , design and calculations...

20. 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!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for electrical systems engineers

The most affordable schools for electrical systems engineers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.

If the best universities for electrical systems 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 electrical systems engineers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

6. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV • Private

In-state tuition

$7,464

Cost of attendance

17,166

9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

10. National University College - Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$6,675

Cost of attendance

12,941

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for electrical systems engineers

The hardest universities for electrical systems engineers to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for electrical systems 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 electrical systems 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. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

4. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,517

8. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

9. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for electrical systems engineers

The easiest schools for electrical systems engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an electrical systems 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 electrical systems engineers.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

3. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

4. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,107

5. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

6. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,068

7. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

957

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. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average electrical systems engineer salary by education level

According to our data, electrical systems engineers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $103,554 annually. Electrical systems engineers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $94,613.

Electrical systems engineer education level	Electrical systems engineer salary
Master's Degree	$94,613
Bachelor's Degree	$85,061
Doctorate Degree	$103,554

Electrical systems engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Electrical Systems Engineers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.

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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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