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Information systems engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an information systems engineer. Information systems engineers usually study computer science, computer information systems, or business. 65% of information systems engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,224 real information systems engineer resumes to see exactly what information systems engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for information systems engineers are the Strayer University and the Strayer University.
There are also many online information systems engineer courses to help get the education required to be an information systems engineer.
There are certain information systems engineer certifications that you should consider. These information systems engineer certifications include IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP).
What education do you need to become an information systems engineer?
What degree do you need to be an information systems engineer?
- Bachelor's, 65%
- Associate, 18%
- Master's, 13%
- Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become an information systems engineer?
- Computer Science, 19%
- Business, 12%
- Other Majors, 45%
Most common colleges for information systems engineers
| Information systems engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Strayer University | 13.89% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 8.33% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 8.33% |
| University of Phoenix | 7.64% |
| University of South Carolina - Columbia | 5.56% |
Best majors for information systems engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 18.5% |
| 2 | Computer Information Systems | 12.4% |
| 3 | Business | 12.3% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering | 11.8% |
| 5 | Information Technology | 7.3% |
Best colleges for information systems engineers
The best colleges for information systems engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
An information 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 information 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 information systems engineers.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
7. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
10. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,530
Enrollment
4,571
20 best online courses for information systems engineers
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1. Information Systems Auditing, Controls and Assurance
The course is awarded The Best Free Online Courses of All Time, and Best Online Courses of the Year (2021 Edition) by Class Central (http://www.classcentral.com). --- Information systems (IS) are important assets to business organizations and are ubiquitous in our daily lives. With the latest IS technologies emerging, such as Big Data, FinTech, Virtual Banks, there are more concerns from the public on how organizations maintain systems’ integrity, such as data privacy, information security, the...
2. Information​ ​Systems
This specialization provides a robust introduction to the key principles and practices of Information Systems Management.\n\nThe first course describes how Information Systems address business problems. This takes the form of an IT alignment model that describes how Information Systems provide capabilities that enable or support organizational strategy. This component also includes an economic analysis of the Information System.\n\nThe second course in the specialization entails the practice of...
3. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)
Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...
4. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP
Making Next Gen Information Security Leaders...
5. NIST DoD RMF
The Risk Management Framework (RMF) provides a disciplined, structured and flexible process for managing security and privacy risk. It includes information security categorization; control selection, implementation and assessment; system and common control authorizations; and continuous monitoring. It includes activities to prepare organizations to execute the framework at appropriate risk management levels. This learning path explains the RMF steps and its processes (aka tasks) which link...
6. Information Technology Essentials
Introduction to Information Technology and Information Systems...
7. Practical Aspects of Information System Audit (For Beginner)
Practical Aspects of Information System Audit (For Beginners)...
8. Certificate Program In Management Information Systems
Learn about the exciting world of Management Information Systems and its impact on the way organisations now function...
9. Information Security Fundamentals - Cyber Security Bootcamp
A Beginners Awareness Guide on Information Security & Cyber Security to Keep Online and Offline Devices Safe!...
10. Certified Information Systems Security Professional CISSP
Newest Version Released 2022...
11. Information Security Basics for IT Support Technicians
Learn the basics of information security and what you need to know to be compliant with data protection regulations...
12. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration
Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...
13. ISO/IEC 27002:2022. Information security controls
Learn about the comprehensive set of information security controls proposed by ISO/IEC 27002:2022...
14. ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Information Security Management System
Learn how your company can protect its information with an ISMS that meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001...
15. Information Security Fundamentals
The very basics of Info Sec...
16. Information Security Awareness: An Introduction for UK SMEs
Combating Security Threats and Cultivating Information Security Awareness...
17. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)...
18. Information Security Management Fundamentals for Non-Techies
Learn the Fundamentals of Information Security Management for Non-Techies...
19. Introduction to Corporate Information Security
This course explains why information security and its management are important for any modern organization...
20. ISACA CISM Certified Information Security Manager
One of the highest paid certifications! Become a Certified Information Security Manager!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for information systems engineers
The most affordable schools for information systems engineers are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for information 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 information systems engineers.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
8. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
10. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for information systems engineers
The hardest universities for information systems engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for information 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 information 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,415
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
10. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for information systems engineers
The easiest schools for information systems engineers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, barry university, and nyack college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an information 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 information systems engineers.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
4. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
7. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
8. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
9. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
10. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
Average information systems engineer salary by education level
| Information systems engineer education level | Information systems engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $116,425 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $102,052 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $112,787 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $103,229 |
Information systems engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025