Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Engineering professor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an engineering professor. Engineering professors usually study electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or civil engineering. 47% of engineering professors hold a bachelor's degree, and 34% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 160 real engineering professor resumes to see exactly what engineering professor education sections show.
The most common colleges for engineering professors are the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Colorado at Boulder.
There are also many online engineering professor courses to help get the education required to be an engineering professor.
What education do you need to become an engineering professor?
What degree do you need to be an engineering professor?
- Bachelor's, 47%
- Master's, 34%
- Doctorate, 11%
- Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become an engineering professor?
- Business, 6%
- Other Majors, 52%
Most common colleges for engineering professors
| Engineering professor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Colorado at Boulder | 6.45% |
| Purdue University | 6.45% |
| Stanford University | 6.45% |
| University of Oklahoma | 6.45% |
| Ohio State University | 6.45% |
Best majors for engineering professors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 18.1% |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering | 16.2% |
| 3 | Civil Engineering | 7.6% |
| 4 | Business | 5.7% |
| 5 | Industrial Engineering | 5.7% |
Best colleges for engineering professors
The best colleges for engineering professors are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Carnegie Mellon University.
An engineering professor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for engineering professors. 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 engineering professors.
1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
2. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
3. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
8. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
20 best online courses for engineering professors
Advertising disclosure
1. Quantum Mechanics for Engineers
This Specialization is intended for engineers seeking to acquire fundamental understanding of quantum mechanics which are the basis of modern electrical, mechanical and quantum engineering. Through 3 courses, you will learn (1) basic concepts such as superposition and entanglement of quantum states, measurement in quantum mechanics and uncertainty principle, (2) mathematical tools needed to describe and manipulate quantum states, (3) advanced theory of angular momentum and (4) approximation...
2. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)
Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...
3. Mechanics / Statics - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Solid Mechanics / Engineering Statics...
4. Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Explained
Learn how things work! Boilers, engines, valves, transformers, pumps, learn it all in this constantly growing course!...
5. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Fundamentals and Advanced
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Mechanics of Airplanes - Aerodynamics, Flight Maneuvers, JET Engines...
6. Electric Circuits for Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Start your career in electrical & electronics engineering by learning everything about electric circuits and electronics...
7. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...
8. Aerospace Engineering: Airplanes, Airlines and Airports
Understand how Airplanes generate Lift, how Airlines and Airports operate and what is Aerospace Engineering today...
9. Electricity for Electronics, Electrical Engineering A-Z 2023
Fundamentals of Electricity & Electric Circuits for Electronics - Circuit Design - Electrical Engineering...
10. Engineering Mechanics: Statics
The Study of Objects in Equilibrium...
11. Internal Combustion Engine Basics (Mechanical Engineering)
Learn how internal combustion engines work! Learn all of a combustion engine's main components and how they work!...
12. Electrical Power Engineering Principles
Learn all the basic theories and principles of electrical engineering...
13. Electrical Engineering: Power Electronics Masterclass
Further your knowledge in power engineering by learning to design rectifiers, dc-to-dc converters, and inverters...
14. Basics of Material selection for mechanical design engineers
Learn about the fundamentals of materials and their selection for mechanical engineering design for design engineers...
15. The Complete Engineering Mechanics Course
Master the fundamentals of mechanics, statics and applied physics and then solve real-world mechanics problems...
16. Product Development & Systems Engineering
The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...
17. Aerospace Engineering: Rocket Science and Engineering
Have the knowledge of a rocket scientist and learn how to deal with complex equations critical to rocket propulsion!...
18. Power Engineering: Power System Analysis - Part 1
Start your career in electrical engineering and power engineering by learning the fundamentals of power system analysis...
19. Python for Mechanical Engineers
Learn Python to solve problems in mechanical fields...
20. Interplanetary Spacecraft and Satellite Engineering
Aerospace Engineering: A Complete Guide to Design and Technology of Interplanetary Rocket Space Missions and Satellites...
Top 10 most affordable universities for engineering professors
The most affordable schools for engineering professors are United States Merchant Marine Academy, university of florida, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for engineering professors 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 engineering professors.
1. United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$1,080
Cost of attendance
6,646
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
6. 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
7. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
10. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for engineering professors
The hardest universities for engineering professors to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for engineering professors 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 engineering professors 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. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
6. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,545
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
9. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
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 engineering professors
The easiest schools for engineering professors to get into are Texas A&M; University - Kingsville, the university of texas permian basin, and the university of texas at el paso.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an engineering professor 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 engineering professors.
1. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
2. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
3. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
4. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
6. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
7. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)
Lemont Furnace, PA • Private
Admissions rate
80%
SAT average
1,067
8. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois
DuBois, PA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,079
9. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
10. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
Average engineering professor salary by education level
| Engineering professor education level | Engineering professor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $50,684 |
| Doctorate Degree | $67,107 |
Engineering professor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.
Search for engineering professor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025