Embedded engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an embedded engineer. Embedded engineers usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or computer engineering. 75% of embedded engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 516 real embedded engineer resumes to see exactly what embedded engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for embedded engineers are the University of Wisconsin Colleges and the University of Wisconsin Colleges.

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

What education do you need to become an embedded engineer?

What degree do you need to be an embedded engineer?

The most common degree for embedded engineers is bachelor's degree, with 75% of embedded engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 17% and master's degree degree at 5%.

Bachelor's, 75%

Master's, 17%

Associate, 5%

Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become an embedded engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become an embedded engineer. 53% of embedded engineers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for an embedded engineer include electrical engineering technology and computer engineering.

Electrical Engineering, 53%

Electrical Engineering Technology, 11%

Computer Engineering, 10%

Computer Science, 10%

Other Majors, 16%

Most common colleges for embedded engineers

Embedded engineers often get their degrees at University of Wisconsin Colleges, The University of Texas at Arlington, and Oregon Institute of Technology. Here are the most common colleges for embedded engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Embedded engineer common college	Percentages
University of Wisconsin Colleges	8.51%
The University of Texas at Arlington	8.51%
Oregon Institute of Technology	6.38%
DeVry University	6.38%
University of Maryland - College Park	6.38%

Show more common embedded engineer colleges

Best majors for embedded engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	52.7%
2	Electrical Engineering Technology	10.7%
3	Computer Engineering	10.0%
4	Computer Science	10.0%
5	Computer Networking	4.3%

Show more common embedded engineer majors

Best colleges for embedded engineers

The best colleges for embedded engineers are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Vanderbilt University.

An embedded 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 embedded 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 embedded engineers.

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. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

5. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

6. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

7. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,785

Enrollment

7,711

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

9. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

10. Texas A&M University

College Station, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$11,870

Enrollment

53,194

20 best online courses for embedded engineers

Advertising disclosure

1. Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments

Welcome to the Introduction to Embedded Systems Software and Development Environments. This course is focused on giving you real world coding experience and hands on project work with ARM based Microcontrollers. You will learn how to implement software configuration management and develop embedded software applications. Course assignments include creating a build system using the GNU Toolchain GCC, using Git version control, and developing software in Linux on a Virtual Machine. The course...

2. FPGA Design for Embedded Systems

The objective of this course is to acquire proficiency with Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA)s for the purpose of creating prototypes or products for a variety of applications. Although FPGA design can be a complex topic, we will introduce it so that, with a little bit of effort, the basic concepts will be easily learned, while also providing a challenge for the more experienced designer. We will explore complexities, capabilities and trends of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) and...

3. 8051 Microcontroller - Embedded C and Assembly Language

4.1

(572)

Hands-on Approach 25+ code examples KEIL IDE Proteus Flash Magic 2 Projects Sensor and display interfacings...

4. Mastering STM32CubeMX 5 and CubeIDE - Embedded Systems

4.3

(293)

Code Drivers and Firmware : PWM, USB,TIMER, SPI, ADC, UART, DMA,Free RTOS,Embedded-C, Assembly etc...

5. M2M & IoT Interface Design & Protocols for Embedded Systems

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5348, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. M2M and IoT Interface Design and Protocols is the third of three classes in the Embedded Interface Design (EID) specialization, an online version of the on-campus EID class taught in graduate embedded systems design. This course is focused on connecting devices to each other and to the cloud to create prototypes and actual systems that flow data from devices...

6. Introduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5360, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Programmable Logic has become more and more common as a core technology used to build electronic systems. By integrating soft-core or hardcore processors, these devices have become complete systems on a chip, steadily displacing general purpose processors and ASICs. In particular, high performance systems are now almost always implemented with FPGAs. This...

7. Embedded Systems Bootcamp: RTOS, IoT, AI, Vision and FPGA

4.7

(276)

All microcontrollers in one: Embedded Systems, Io T, RTOS, Deep Learning, Linux and Raspberry PI, ESP32, Arduino...

8. Unit Testing & Other Embedded Software Catalysts

(545)

Dr. Surly's School for Mad Scientists: Introduction to Test Driven Development for Embedded & System Software in C...

9. Embedded Systems with 8051 Micro Controller using Embedded C

4.3

(290)

Deep Dive into embedded systems with in-depth understanding of 8051 micro controller with embedded C programming...

10. Introduction to Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)

(620)

Learn how to realize dynamic embedded software design using RTOS in an industrial/practical way...

11. Embedded Systems Object-Oriented Programming in C

4.3

(326)

End-to-End Firmware and Driver Development: UART,GPIO,TIMER, etc. From Datasheet to Embedded C and C++...

12. Embedded System Design using UML State Machines

4.7

(371)

Learn to implement event-driven embedded applications using simple and hierarchical UML state machine approach...

13. USB Behind the Scenes: Hands-on HID Firmware Development

4.9

(475)

The #1 video course that explains programming bare-metal firmware for USB human interface devices (HID) step by step...

14. FPGA Embedded Design, Part 1 - Verilog

4.6

(922)

Learn FPGA embedded application design starting with the basics and leaving with your own working designs...

15. Fundamental of Embedded Systems

4.1

(264)

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

16. Basics of Embedded C Programming for Beginners

4.2

(347)

Learn basics of Embedded C programming...

17. CAN & LIN communication protocols and AUTOSAR

4.2

(389)

Automotive Communication Protocols:CAN and LIN (Controller Area Network and Local Interconnect Network)...

18. Foundation of Embedded Systems with ARM Cortex and STM32

4.5

(935)

A 14 day proven course to a higher paying career in embedded systems, with deep understanding of ARM Cortex and STM32...

19. Embedded Linux Step by Step Using Beaglebone Black

4.6

(2,901)

Learn ARM Linux systems, Embedded Linux building blocks ,Busybox, Beaglebone interfacing Projects and much more...

20. Embedded Systems Programming on ARM Cortex-M3/M4 Processor

4.6

(5,092)

With hands on coding using C Programming and assembly on ARM Cortex M Processor based Microcontroller...

Top 10 most affordable universities for embedded engineers

The most affordable schools for embedded engineers are California State University - Long Beach, brigham young university, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for embedded 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 embedded engineers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

5. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV • Private

In-state tuition

$7,464

Cost of attendance

17,166

10. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for embedded engineers

The hardest universities for embedded engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for embedded 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 embedded 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

3. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

6. Princeton University

Princeton, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,503

7. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

8. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

9. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,516

10. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for embedded engineers

The easiest schools for embedded engineers to get into are Capitol Technology University, oregon institute of technology, and south dakota state university.

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

1. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

2. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

3. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

4. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

5. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

6. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

7. Suffolk University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,131

8. Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,093

9. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

10. Portland State University

Portland, OR • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,111

Average embedded engineer salary by education level

Embedded engineers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $108,385 annually. With a Master's degree, embedded engineers earn a median annual income of $101,272 compared to $93,717 for embedded engineers with an Bachelor's degree.

Embedded engineer education level	Embedded engineer salary
Master's Degree	$101,272
Bachelor's Degree	$93,717
Doctorate Degree	$108,385

Embedded engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Embedded Engineers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.

Search for embedded engineer 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

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