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Hardware development engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a hardware development engineer. Hardware development engineers usually study electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer engineering. 77% of hardware development engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 305 real hardware development engineer resumes to see exactly what hardware development engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for hardware development engineers are the San Jose State University and the San Jose State University.
There are also many online hardware development engineer courses to help get the education required to be a hardware development engineer.
What education do you need to become a hardware development engineer?
What degree do you need to be a hardware development engineer?
- Bachelor's, 77%
- Master's, 13%
- Associate, 6%
- Doctorate, 3%
What should I major in to become a hardware development engineer?
- Other Majors, 19%
Most common colleges for hardware development engineers
| Hardware development engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| San Jose State University | 12.70% |
| University of California - Davis | 7.94% |
| University of Florida | 6.35% |
| Northeastern University | 6.35% |
| Cornell University | 6.35% |
Best majors for hardware development engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 56.0% |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering | 9.9% |
| 3 | Computer Engineering | 8.2% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 6.6% |
| 5 | Physics | 4.1% |
Best colleges for hardware development engineers
The best colleges for hardware development engineers are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Vanderbilt University.
A hardware development 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 hardware development 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 hardware development 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 hardware development engineers
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1. Computer Hardware and Software
This course provides foundational understanding of how computers process information through hardware and software. You will investigate the world of Information Technology (IT) and survey hardware components, mobile devices, operating systems, programs and apps, network fundamentals, the Internet, and touch on security and ethics...
2. Hardware Security
In this course, we will study security and trust from the hardware perspective. Upon completing the course, students will understand the vulnerabilities in current digital system design flow and the physical attacks to these systems. They will learn that security starts from hardware design and be familiar with the tools and skills to build secure and trusted hardware...
3. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking
For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...
4. The Complete Electronics Course 2022: Analog Hardware Design
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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. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems
Get ready to enter the thriving field of Information Technology (IT), with job ready skills! This beginner friendly course provides the core hardware and operating system knowledge needed by anyone new to IT and computer hardware who wants to start a new career in technology, including IT Support, Networking, Cybersecurity, and Software Development. You will first be introduced to computing fundamentals, the four functions of computing, and the benefits of computing. You will become...
7. Verilog HDL: VLSI Hardware Design Comprehensive Masterclass
From an expert with 15+ years experience. Core Design principles for VLSI, Soc, Processor and FPGA. VHDL alternative...
8. Arduino: Electronics circuit, PCB Design & IOT Programming
Industrial Datalogger, Electronics circuit design, Embedded System, Eagle PCB Design, Arduino Programming and IOT system...
9. 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...
10. 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...
11. Arduino Programming and Hardware Fundamentals with Hackster
Learn electrical engineering basics to build circuits and program Arduino to make wearables, robots, and Io T devices...
12. Complete Electronics Hardware Design Course 2022 -EsteemPCB
Complex Mixed Signal Board Design Course (Ethernet PHY, STM32F407, STM32F103, CH340C, DAC/MIC, 24Bit ADC, 36W Drivers)...
13. Pressure, Force, Motion, and Humidity Sensors
"Pressure, Force, Motion, and Humidity Sensors" can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5342, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. This is our third course in our specialization on Embedding Sensor and Motors. To get the most out of this course, you should first take our first course entitled Sensors and Sensor Circuits. Our first course gives you a tutorial on how to use the hardware and software development kit we have chosen for the lab exercises...
14. Hardware Asset Management in ServiceNow
The perfect course for managing Hardware Assets in Service Now! Unlock the full benefits of IT Asset Management (ITAM)!...
15. Complete Eagle CAD PCB Design: Theory and Practical approach
Complete PCB Design Course for Freshers & Professionals...
16. High-Level Synthesis for FPGA, Part 1-Combinational Circuits
Logic Design with Vitis-HLS...
17. 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...
18. Learn to Design Your Own Boards
Design a board in 15 hours. Step-by-Step tutorial based on Arduino project (Altium)...
19. Verilog for an FPGA Engineer with Xilinx Vivado Design Suite
Using Xilinx FPGA's...
20. Product Development & Systems Engineering
The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...
Top 10 most affordable universities for hardware development engineers
The most affordable schools for hardware development engineers are California State University - Long Beach, brigham young university, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for hardware development 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 hardware development 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 hardware development engineers
The hardest universities for hardware development engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for hardware development 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 hardware development 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. 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
5%
SAT average
1,520
6. Princeton University
Princeton, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
5%
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
9%
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 hardware development engineers
The easiest schools for hardware development 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 a hardware development 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 hardware development 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 hardware development engineer salary by education level
| Hardware development engineer education level | Hardware development engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $127,351 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $116,741 |
Hardware development engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025