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Instrumentation & control engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an instrumentation & control engineer. Instrumentation & control engineers usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or mechanical engineering. 78% of instrumentation & control engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 10% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,099 real instrumentation & control engineer resumes to see exactly what instrumentation & control engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for instrumentation & control engineers are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online instrumentation & control engineer courses to help get the education required to be an instrumentation & control engineer.
There are certain instrumentation & control engineer certifications that you should consider. These instrumentation & control engineer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and Instrumentation Certification.
What education do you need to become an instrumentation & control engineer?
What degree do you need to be an instrumentation & control engineer?
- Bachelor's, 78%
- Master's, 10%
- Associate, 9%
- Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become an instrumentation & control engineer?
- Other Majors, 29%
Most common colleges for instrumentation & control engineers
| Instrumentation & control engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 9.35% |
| University of Houston | 7.48% |
| Texas A&M University | 5.61% |
| Lamar University | 5.61% |
| Clemson University | 5.61% |
Best majors for instrumentation & control engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 50.2% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 6.8% |
| 3 | Mechanical Engineering | 6.7% |
| 4 | Chemical Engineering | 6.7% |
| 5 | Music | 6.0% |
Best colleges for instrumentation & control engineers
The best colleges for instrumentation & control engineers are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
An instrumentation & control 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 instrumentation & control 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 instrumentation & control engineers.
1. Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,646
Enrollment
5,736
2. Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$33,950
Enrollment
4,254
3. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
7. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
9. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
20 best online courses for instrumentation & control engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. 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!...
2. Complete Field Instrumentation Engineering Course
Flow, Level, Temperature and Pressure Instrument - Selection, Sizing, Calculation and Detail Engineering...
3. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design
Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...
4. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...
5. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)
Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...
6. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS
Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...
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. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC
Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...
10. Introduction to Instrumentation
This course was developed and based on my experiences (more than 12 years ) in Instrumentation ...
11. 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...
12. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
13. Introduction to process control and instrumentation
Learn how process control is ensured in process industries & how the main instruments measure the key process variables...
14. 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...
15. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
16. 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...
17. The Complete Electrical Power Control and Protection
Your Complete Practical Guide in Electrical Control & Protection Systems for Stations , Substations & Distribution Zones...
18. Fundamentals of Electrical Controls
Learn the parts and wiring techniques used in a motor control installation, become a Controls Electrician...
19. Know Read Understand Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams P & IDs
Learn how Process Control, Safety Instrumented Systems, Interlock & Alarms are represented in engineering P & ID drawings...
20. Electrical Control & Protection Part 4
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical network...
Top 10 most affordable universities for instrumentation & control engineers
The most affordable schools for instrumentation & control engineers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.
If the best universities for instrumentation & control 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 instrumentation & control engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
6. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley, WV • Private
In-state tuition
$7,464
Cost of attendance
17,166
9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
10. National University College - Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$6,675
Cost of attendance
12,941
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for instrumentation & control engineers
The hardest universities for instrumentation & control engineers to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for instrumentation & control 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 instrumentation & control 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. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
5. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
8. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
9. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
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 instrumentation & control engineers
The easiest schools for instrumentation & control 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 instrumentation & control 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 instrumentation & control 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. Pennsylvania State University - Berks
Reading, PA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,107
5. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
6. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,068
7. Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
957
8. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
9. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
10. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
Average instrumentation & control engineer salary by education level
| Instrumentation & control engineer education level | Instrumentation & control engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $100,873 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $90,369 |
| Doctorate Degree | $110,738 |
Instrumentation & control engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025