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Embedded Software Engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an embedded software engineer. Embedded software engineers usually study electrical engineering, computer science, or computer engineering. 73% of embedded software engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 2,272 real embedded software engineer resumes to see exactly what embedded software engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for embedded software engineers are the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
There are also many online embedded software engineer courses to help get the education required to be an embedded software engineer.
There are certain embedded software engineer certifications that you should consider. These embedded software engineer certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Engineer In Training Certification (EIT).
What education do you need to become an embedded software engineer?
What degree do you need to be an embedded software engineer?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- Master's, 21%
- Associate, 3%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become an embedded software engineer?
- Computer Science, 21%
- Computer Engineering, 18%
- Other Majors, 17%
Most common colleges for embedded software engineers
| Embedded Software Engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 7.44% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 7.44% |
| University of Florida | 6.61% |
| Purdue University | 6.61% |
| University of California - Davis | 5.79% |
Best majors for embedded software engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 39.1% |
| 2 | Computer Science | 21.2% |
| 3 | Computer Engineering | 18.0% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 5.4% |
| 5 | Mathematics | 2.2% |
Best colleges for embedded software engineers
The best colleges for embedded software engineers are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard University.
An embedded software 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 software 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 software engineers.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
6. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
7. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
9. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
10. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
20 best online courses for embedded software engineers
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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. Advanced Embedded Linux Development
This courses in this specialization can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5305 - 5307, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.\n\nThis specialization provides students with the fundamentals of embedded operating systems including a working understanding of how to configure and deploy a Linux based Embedded System. Students will gain expertise in software tools and development methods which can be used to create applications and build custom Linux based Embedded...
3. Unit Testing & Other Embedded Software Catalysts
Dr. Surly's School for Mad Scientists: Introduction to Test Driven Development for Embedded & System Software in C...
4. Complete Software Engineering Course with Python
Learn Python 3 with Software Engineering Concepts Learn Python GUI, Object Oriented Programming, Data Visualization.....
5. Software Engineering
Software development is not just about coding, it also involves the application of scientific knowledge and well-defined engineering techniques to produce maintainable, scalable, cost-effective and on-schedule software products. This specialization covers software engineering methodologies, techniques, and tools for planning, capturing requirements, designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining large-scale software systems. It combines scientific and technological knowledge with many...
6. Applied Software Engineering Fundamentals
If you want to enter the exciting world of software development, this Software Engineering Foundations Specialization is for you. No prior degrees or knowledge of programming or application development are necessary. Software Developers are in great demand earning a median salary of US$110,140 per year according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The field is growing at a rate of 22% making it a great time to start a career in software engineering.. The self-paced courses in this program...
7. Mastering STM32CubeMX 5 and CubeIDE - Embedded Systems
Code Drivers and Firmware : PWM, USB,TIMER, SPI, ADC, UART, DMA,Free RTOS,Embedded-C, Assembly etc...
8. 8051 Microcontroller - Embedded C and Assembly Language
Hands-on Approach 25+ code examples KEIL IDE Proteus Flash Magic 2 Projects Sensor and display interfacings...
9. UX and Interface Design for Embedded Systems
This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5346, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. UX and Interface Design for Embedded Systems is the first 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 first course is focused on user experience (UX) and the related methods, practices, and principles that will help ensure your embedded...
10. 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...
11. Software Engineering 101: Plan and Execute Better Software.
Software Engineering 101: Use Software Engineering to Plan and Build Amazing Software + Learn SCRUM Framework!...
12. Embedded Linux Step by Step Using Beaglebone Black
Learn ARM Linux systems, Embedded Linux building blocks ,Busybox, Beaglebone interfacing Projects and much more...
13. Introduction to Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)
Learn how to realize dynamic embedded software design using RTOS in an industrial/practical way...
14. Requirements Engineering: Software Engineering
Everything you need to know about software requirements: elicitation, analysis, documentation, validation and management...
15. Software Testing: Get A Tech Job in Software Testing 2023
Testing, Manual Testing, Software Testing, Qa, Qa Testing, Quality Assurance, Manual Software Testing, Jira & Job tips...
16. Agile Software Testing
Agile Software Testing: Methodologies and Testing Approaches, Techniques and Tools...
17. Software Engineer Interview Unleashed
Learn how to make yourself ready for software engineer interviews from a former Google interviewer...
18. Embedded System Design using UML State Machines
Learn to implement event-driven embedded applications using simple and hierarchical UML state machine approach...
19. Embedded Systems Bootcamp: RTOS, IoT, AI, Vision and FPGA
All microcontrollers in one: Embedded Systems, Io T, RTOS, Deep Learning, Linux and Raspberry PI, ESP32, Arduino...
20. Software Architecture Case Studies
Become an even better Software Architect by learning from real-world architecture case studies...
Top 10 most affordable universities for embedded software engineers
The most affordable schools for embedded software engineers are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - bakersfield, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for embedded software 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 software engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
5. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
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. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
10. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for embedded software engineers
The hardest universities for embedded software engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for embedded software 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 software 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
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
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. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
9. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for embedded software engineers
The easiest schools for embedded software engineers to get into are Capitol Technology University, oregon institute of technology, and san francisco state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an embedded software 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 software 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. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
4. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
5. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
6. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
7. Portland State University
Portland, OR • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,111
8. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
9. Suffolk University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,131
10. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
Average embedded software engineer salary by education level
| Embedded Software Engineer education level | Embedded Software Engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $108,329 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $100,343 |
| Doctorate Degree | $115,841 |
Embedded Software Engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025