Imaging engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an imaging engineer. Imaging engineers usually study electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, or electrical engineering technology. 49% of imaging engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 201 real imaging engineer resumes to see exactly what imaging engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for imaging engineers are the Rochester Institute of Technology and the Rochester Institute of Technology.

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

What education do you need to become an imaging engineer?

What degree do you need to be an imaging engineer?

The most common degree for imaging engineers is bachelor's degree, with 49% of imaging engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 23% and associate degree degree at 16%.

Bachelor's, 49%

Associate, 23%

Master's, 16%

Doctorate, 7%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become an imaging engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become an imaging engineer. 40% of imaging engineers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for an imaging engineer include biomedical engineering and electrical engineering technology.

Electrical Engineering, 40%

Biomedical Engineering, 13%

Electrical Engineering Technology, 5%

Business, 4%

Other Majors, 38%

Most common colleges for imaging engineers

Imaging engineers often get their degrees at Rochester Institute of Technology, DeVry University, and Texas A&M; University. Here are the most common colleges for imaging engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Imaging engineer common college	Percentages
Rochester Institute of Technology	18.00%
DeVry University	12.00%
Texas A&M University	8.00%
City College of New York of the City University of New York, The	6.00%
Purdue University	6.00%

Show more common imaging engineer colleges

Best majors for imaging engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	39.8%
2	Biomedical Engineering	13.0%
3	Electrical Engineering Technology	4.9%
4	Business	4.1%
5	Physics	4.1%

Show more common imaging engineer majors

Best colleges for imaging engineers

The best colleges for imaging engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

An imaging 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 imaging 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 imaging engineers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

2. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

3. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

5. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,785

Enrollment

7,711

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$19,080

Enrollment

19,127

8. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

9. Texas A&M University

College Station, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$11,870

Enrollment

53,194

10. Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$40,749

Enrollment

2,582

20 best online courses for imaging engineers

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1. Visualizing the Living Body: Diagnostic Imaging

This course teaches learners the underlying principles behind conventional radiography, computerized axial tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. The radiology of chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, spine and brain are taught in this course using a combination of lectures and extensive practical activities and assessments. By the end of the course you will be able to: Describe the principles of conventional radiography, CT MRI and ultrasound Describe systematic...

2. Image Processing for Engineering and Science

As cameras become widespread, there are endless opportunities to process images and videos. This specialization is intended for engineers and scientists who need to analyze, design, and build systems using images or videos. You will explore real-world applications like:\n\n· How quickly is arctic ice melting?\n\n· Does an MRI image show a healthy brain?\n\n· Are large cracks appearing in a foundation?\n\n· What is the traffic flow during peak hours of the day?\n\nYou will use MATLAB throughout...

3. Introduction to Medical Imaging

4.5

(827)

Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...

4. C++ Code Like you are in MATRIX: Mastering C++ in 12 Hours

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Unleash the Power of C++ and Take Your Programming Skills to the Next Level! C++ and Data structures , CPP Unreal Engine...

5. Computer Vision for Engineering and Science

Cameras are an integral component in many new technologies. Autonomous systems use cameras to navigate their environment, while doctors use small cameras to help guide minimally invasive surgical techniques. It is essential that engineers use computer vision techniques to extract information from these types of images and videos.\n\nIn this specialization, you’ll gain the computer vision skills underpinning many of today’s top jobs. Specifically, you’ll:\n\nPerform object detection Train image...

6. Image and Video Processing: From Mars to Hollywood with a Stop at the Hospital

In this course, you will learn the science behind how digital images and video are made, altered, stored, and used. We will look at the vast world of digital imaging, from how computers and digital cameras form images to how digital special effects are used in Hollywood movies to how the Mars Rover was able to send photographs across millions of miles of space. The course starts by looking at how the human visual system works and then teaches you about the engineering, mathematics, and computer...

7. Unreal Engine 5 C++ Multiplayer Shooter

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Create a fast-paced, competitive multiplayer shooter in Unreal Engine 5 using C++!...

8. Learn MATLAB with Image Processing from scratch!

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9. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

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10. Data Structures & Algorithms Essentials using C++ (2023)

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11. Unreal Engine 5 C++ Developer: Learn C++ & Make Video Games

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12. The C++ Learning Guide

4.3

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تعليم السي بلس بلس من اول برنامج الى نهاية البرمجة الكائنية...

13. Unreal Engine 4 C++ The Ultimate Game Developer Course

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14. Learn Multithreading with Modern C++

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Learn how to write portable threaded C++ code which unleashes the power of modern multi-processor hardware!...

15. Unreal Engine 4 Mastery: Create Multiplayer Games with C++

4.6

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Unleash the power of C++ and Blueprint to develop Multiplayer Games with AI in this Epic Games-approved course...

16. Learn Computer Vision and Image Processing in LabVIEW

4.1

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Learn Computer Vision and Image Processing From Scratch in Lab VIEW and build 9 Vision-based Apps...

17. Data Structures and Algorithms In C# ( DSA )

4.2

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Data Structures and Algorithms in C# Using DSA C# Data Structures Algorithms DSA Leetcode C# Data Structures Algorithms...

18. Data Structures and Algorithms: In Depth using C#

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List, Stacks, Queues, Binary Search Trees, Hashing, Heaps, Graphs, Sorting, Searching - Data Structures & Algorithms C#...

19. Master C# And SQL By Building Applications

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Become a better software developer by learning how to build real world applications using C# and SQL...

20. Windows Service Programming, Debugging, Installing in C#.Net

4.3

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Windows Service Tutorial: How to Create Windows Services in C# .Net/Visual Studio, Windows Service debugging techniques...

Top 10 most affordable universities for imaging engineers

The most affordable schools for imaging engineers are California State University - Long Beach, university of florida, and florida international university.

If the best universities for imaging 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 imaging engineers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

6. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

8. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

9. 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

10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for imaging engineers

The hardest universities for imaging engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for imaging 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 imaging 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

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. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

7. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,517

8. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,516

9. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

10. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,566

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

The easiest schools for imaging engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.

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

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

3. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

4. Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,093

5. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

6. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

7. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

8. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

957

9. Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,111

10. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,107

Average imaging engineer salary by education level

According to our data, imaging engineers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $124,073 annually. Imaging engineers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $110,132.

Imaging engineer education level	Imaging engineer salary
Master's Degree	$110,132
Bachelor's Degree	$95,839
Doctorate Degree	$124,073

Imaging engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Imaging Engineers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.

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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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