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Embedded systems engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an embedded systems engineer. Embedded systems engineers usually study electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science. 68% of embedded systems engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 26% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 717 real embedded systems engineer resumes to see exactly what embedded systems engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for embedded systems engineers are the University of Florida and the University of Florida.
There are also many online embedded systems engineer courses to help get the education required to be an embedded systems engineer.
What education do you need to become an embedded systems engineer?
What degree do you need to be an embedded systems engineer?
- Bachelor's, 68%
- Master's, 26%
- Associate, 3%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become an embedded systems engineer?
- Computer Engineering, 19%
- Computer Science, 11%
- Other Majors, 18%
Most common colleges for embedded systems engineers
| Embedded systems engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Florida | 8.33% |
| Drexel University | 7.14% |
| San Jose State University | 5.95% |
| University of Pittsburgh | 5.95% |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | 5.95% |
Best majors for embedded systems engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 45.9% |
| 2 | Computer Engineering | 18.5% |
| 3 | Computer Science | 11.1% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 5.8% |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineering | 2.1% |
Best colleges for embedded systems engineers
The best colleges for embedded systems engineers are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard University.
An embedded 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 embedded 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 embedded systems 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 systems engineers
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1. 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...
2. 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...
3. 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...
4. Mastering STM32CubeMX 5 and CubeIDE - Embedded Systems
Code Drivers and Firmware : PWM, USB,TIMER, SPI, ADC, UART, DMA,Free RTOS,Embedded-C, Assembly etc...
5. 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...
6. 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...
7. Fundamental of Embedded Systems
Understand the Basic Concept of Hardware, Software and Application in Embedded Systems...
8. Embedded System Design using UML State Machines
Learn to implement event-driven embedded applications using simple and hierarchical UML state machine approach...
9. Real-Time Embedded Systems
The Real-Time Embedded Systems specialization is a series of four course taking you from a beginning practitioner, to a more advanced real-time system analyst and designer. Knowledge and experience gained on hard to master topics such as predictable response services, when to allocate requirements to hardware or software, as well as mission critical design will enhance your engineering talent. You will gain experience building a simple, but real, system project with real-time challenges, that...
10. Embedded Hardware and Operating Systems
This course is intended for the Bachelor and Master's students, who like practical programming and making IoTs applications! In this course, we will talk about two components of a cyber-physical system, namely hardware and operating systems. After completing this course, you will have knowledge of both hardware components and operating systems. You are able to plan and use embedded operating systems in resource-constraint devices for Internet-of-Things (cyber-physical system) applications. In...
11. Introduction to Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)
Learn how to realize dynamic embedded software design using RTOS in an industrial/practical way...
12. Foundation of Embedded Systems with ARM Cortex and STM32
A 14 day proven course to a higher paying career in embedded systems, with deep understanding of ARM Cortex and STM32...
13. 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...
14. 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...
15. Embedded Linux Step by Step Using Beaglebone Black
Learn ARM Linux systems, Embedded Linux building blocks ,Busybox, Beaglebone interfacing Projects and much more...
16. Embedded Systems Object-Oriented Programming in C
End-to-End Firmware and Driver Development: UART,GPIO,TIMER, etc. From Datasheet to Embedded C and C++...
17. Embedded Systems with 8051 Micro Controller using Embedded C
Deep Dive into embedded systems with in-depth understanding of 8051 micro controller with embedded C programming...
18. USB Behind the Scenes: Hands-on HID Firmware Development
The #1 video course that explains programming bare-metal firmware for USB human interface devices (HID) step by step...
19. FPGA Embedded Design, Part 1 - Verilog
Learn FPGA embedded application design starting with the basics and leaving with your own working designs...
20. 8051 Microcontroller - Embedded C and Assembly Language
Hands-on Approach 25+ code examples KEIL IDE Proteus Flash Magic 2 Projects Sensor and display interfacings...
Top 10 most affordable universities for embedded systems engineers
The most affordable schools for embedded systems engineers are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - bakersfield, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for embedded 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 embedded systems 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 systems engineers
The hardest universities for embedded systems engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for embedded 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 embedded 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. 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 systems engineers
The easiest schools for embedded systems 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 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 embedded systems 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 systems engineer salary by education level
| Embedded systems engineer education level | Embedded systems engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $97,412 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $90,372 |
| Doctorate Degree | $104,025 |
Embedded systems 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