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Instrument and controls technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an instrument and controls technician. Instrument and controls technicians usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or music. 57% of instrument and controls technicians hold a associate degree, and 25% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 1,674 real instrument and controls technician resumes to see exactly what instrument and controls technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for instrument and controls technicians are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online instrument and controls technician courses to help get the education required to be an instrument and controls technician.
There are certain instrument and controls technician certifications that you should consider. These instrument and controls technician certifications include Instrumentation Certification and Industrial Instrumentation - Level I.
What education do you need to become an instrument and controls technician?
What degree do you need to be an instrument and controls technician?
- Associate, 57%
- Bachelor's, 25%
- High School Diploma, 5%
- Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become an instrument and controls technician?
- Music, 9%
- Other Majors, 30%
Most common colleges for instrument and controls technicians
| Instrument and controls technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 10.47% |
| Louisiana College | 8.14% |
| Idaho State University | 8.14% |
| DeVry University | 6.98% |
| Bellingham Technical College | 5.81% |
Best majors for instrument and controls technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 30.2% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 23.2% |
| 3 | Music | 8.5% |
| 4 | Electromechanical Instrumentation And Maintenance Technologies/Technicians | 7.9% |
| 5 | Business | 7.3% |
Best colleges for instrument and controls technicians
The best colleges for instrument and controls technicians are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Northeastern University.
An instrument and controls technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for instrument and controls technicians. 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 instrument and controls technicians.
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. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
8. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,785
Enrollment
7,711
9. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
10. Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$11,870
Enrollment
53,194
20 best online courses for instrument and controls technicians
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1. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)
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2. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design
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3. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control
Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...
4. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...
5. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
6. Introduction to process control and instrumentation
Learn how process control is ensured in process industries & how the main instruments measure the key process variables...
7. Introduction to PLC's [Programmable Logic Controllers]-07-21
This course is a great introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers Theory, Principles, and Programming Applications...
8. PLC & AC Drive with Automatic & Manual Industrial Control
this course will take newbies to a higher level to deal with complex PLC projects, Motor Drives ( VFD ) & Manual Control...
9. Fundamentals of Electrical Controls
Learn the parts and wiring techniques used in a motor control installation, become a Controls Electrician...
10. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS
Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...
11. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC
Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...
12. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
13. Model, Simulate and Control a Drone in MATLAB & SIMULINK
Simulate a DJI Mavic Pro in Matlab & SIMULINK and design your own PID controllers for altitude and attitude control...
14. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring
Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...
15. The Complete Electrical Power Control and Protection
Your Complete Practical Guide in Electrical Control & Protection Systems for Stations , Substations & Distribution Zones...
16. Motor Starter Circuits (Motor Control)
Motor starter schematics or wiring drawings. Learn to design power & control circuits for motor starters...
17. Electrical Control & Protection Part 4
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical network...
18. Model a Car and Design a PID Controller in MATLAB/SIMULINK
Model and simulate an electric car (Tesla Model S) in MATLAB & SIMULINK and design your own PID speed controller...
19. Introduction to Instrumentation
This course was developed and based on my experiences (more than 12 years ) in Instrumentation ...
20. PLC Programming - Training from Scratch on RSLogix500 & 5000
PLC programming from scratch training class by a controls engineer equipped with PLC systems - Allen Bradley RSLogix 500...
Top 10 most affordable universities for instrument and controls technicians
The most affordable schools for instrument and controls technicians are California State University - Long Beach, university of florida, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for instrument and controls technicians 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 instrument and controls technicians.
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. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for instrument and controls technicians
The hardest universities for instrument and controls technicians to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Northeastern University.
Some great schools for instrument and controls technicians 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 instrument and controls technicians 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. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
4. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
8. Princeton University
Princeton, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,503
9. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
10. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for instrument and controls technicians
The easiest schools for instrument and controls technicians to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, kean university, and capitol technology university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an instrument and controls technician 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 instrument and controls technicians.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
3. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
4. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
5. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
6. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,068
7. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
8. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
9. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
10. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
Average instrument and controls technician salary by education level
| Instrument and controls technician education level | Instrument and controls technician salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $63,081 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $63,851 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $64,199 |
Instrument and controls technician education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025