Electronic systems technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an electronic systems technician. Electronic systems technicians usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or business. 47% of electronic systems technicians hold a associate degree, and 31% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 911 real electronic systems technician resumes to see exactly what electronic systems technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for electronic systems technicians are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

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

There are certain electronic systems technician certifications that you should consider. These electronic systems technician certifications include Certified Electronic Systems Technician (EST) and Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma).

What education do you need to become an electronic systems technician?

What degree do you need to be an electronic systems technician?

The most common degree for electronic systems technicians is associate degree, with 47% of electronic systems technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 31% and bachelor's degree degree at 9%.

Associate, 47%

Bachelor's, 31%

High School Diploma, 9%

Diploma, 4%

Other Degrees, 9%

What should I major in to become an electronic systems technician?

You should major in electrical engineering to become an electronic systems technician. 33% of electronic systems technicians major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for an electronic systems technician include electrical engineering technology and business.

Electrical Engineering, 33%

Electrical Engineering Technology, 19%

Business, 10%

Computer Science, 6%

Other Majors, 32%

Most common colleges for electronic systems technicians

Electronic systems technicians often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Texas A&M; University - Central Texas. Here are the most common colleges for electronic systems technicians in the US based on their resumes.

Electronic systems technician common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	13.85%
Southern Illinois University Carbondale	10.77%
Texas A&M University - Central Texas	7.69%
DeVry University	7.69%
The Art Institute of Phoenix	4.62%

Show more common electronic systems technician colleges

Best majors for electronic systems technicians

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	33.0%
2	Electrical Engineering Technology	18.8%
3	Business	10.0%
4	Computer Science	5.8%
5	Automotive Technology	4.8%

Show more common electronic systems technician majors

Best colleges for electronic systems technicians

The best colleges for electronic systems technicians are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

An electronic systems technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for electronic systems technicians. 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 electronic systems technicians.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

3. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

4. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

5. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,785

Enrollment

7,711

6. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

7. Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$40,749

Enrollment

2,582

8. Texas A&M University

College Station, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$11,870

Enrollment

53,194

9. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

10. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$19,080

Enrollment

19,127

20 best online courses for electronic systems technicians

Advertising disclosure

1. 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...

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. 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!...

4. Operating Systems Final Part (4): File Systems & Threads

4.6

(518)

Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

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

4.6

(292)

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

6. Systems Innovation

4.5

(1,720)

Learn systems innovation - the new systems-based approach to enabling transformative change within complex organizations...

7. Technology Systems Auditing (Part 1 of 2)

4.6

(1,262)

Technology Systems Auditing Training Course...

8. 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!...

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

4.6

(1,142)

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

10. BMS - Building management system

4.1

(295)

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

11. Systems Thinking: Essential Concepts

4.6

(336)

Foundational Concepts In Systems Thinking & Theory...

12. Operating Systems Part 3: Synchronization and Deadlock

4.4

(684)

Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

13. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)

4.5

(656)

Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...

14. Introduction to Embedded Systems

4.4

(873)

Learn electronics using the Arduino platform and program the board to control various peripherals...

15. Learn to Repair & Troubleshoot Electronics

4.2

(395)

Learn how to identify, troubleshoot and repair electronic components...

16. Learn BMS & Level Up Your Career- Building management system

4.4

(1,088)

Learn Building Energy Management System ( BMS ) from Zero with many interesting practical videos in English Language...

17. Fundamental of Embedded Systems

4.1

(264)

Understand the Basic Concept of Hardware, Software and Application in Embedded Systems...

18. Electrical Control & Protection Part 4

4.5

(293)

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

19. Rocking System Design

4.6

(1,627)

Learn system design, from building blocks to complex architectures for interviews and real world projects...

20. Systems Thinking Made Simple

4.3

(470)

An Introduction to Systems Thinking & Theory...

Top 10 most affordable universities for electronic systems technicians

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

If the best universities for electronic systems technicians 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 electronic systems technicians.

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. National University College - Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$6,675

Cost of attendance

12,941

10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for electronic systems technicians

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

Some great schools for electronic systems technicians 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 electronic systems technicians 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 electronic systems technicians

The easiest schools for electronic systems technicians 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 electronic systems technician 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 electronic systems technicians.

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. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

9. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average electronic systems technician salary by education level

Electronic systems technicians with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $44,620 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, electronic systems technicians earn a median annual income of $44,445 compared to $44,058 for electronic systems technicians with an High School Diploma degree.

Electronic systems technician education level	Electronic systems technician salary
High School Diploma or Less	$44,058
Bachelor's Degree	$44,445
Some College/ Associate Degree	$44,620

Electronic systems technician education FAQs

What is the best college for Electronic Systems Technicians?

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

Search for electronic systems technician jobs

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

Browse architecture and engineering jobs