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Laser systems engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a laser systems engineer. Laser systems engineers usually study electrical engineering, physics, or mechanical engineering. 65% of laser systems engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 30 real laser systems engineer resumes to see exactly what laser systems engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for laser systems engineers are the Springfield College and the Springfield College.

There are also many online laser systems engineer courses to help get the education required to be a laser systems engineer.

What education do you need to become a laser systems engineer?

What degree do you need to be a laser systems engineer?

The most common degree for laser systems engineers is bachelor's degree, with 65% of laser systems engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 19% and master's degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 65%
  • Master's, 19%
  • Doctorate, 8%
  • Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a laser systems engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a laser systems engineer. 30% of laser systems engineers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a laser systems engineer include physics and mechanical engineering.

Most common colleges for laser systems engineers

Laser systems engineers often get their degrees at Springfield College, Liberty University, and University of Texas at Austin. Here are the most common colleges for laser systems engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Laser systems engineer common collegePercentages
Springfield College10.53%
Liberty University5.26%
University of Texas at Austin5.26%
University of Washington5.26%
California State University - Sacramento5.26%

Best majors for laser systems engineers

Best colleges for laser systems engineers

The best colleges for laser systems engineers are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A laser 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 laser 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 laser systems engineers.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

7. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

8. Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$52,930

Enrollment

5,030

9. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

20 best online courses for laser systems engineers

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1. Selective Laser Sintering and Metal Laser Powder Bed Fusion

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Powder bed fusion is one of the additive manufacturing processes that has found the most application in functional part production. In this course we discuss this process in the context of polymers (selective laser sintering) and metals (laser powder bed fusion), with an emphasis on machine setup and post-processing. The necessary elements for each course are lecture videos, knowledge checks, and project completion. For additional information on certain topics, I've included supplemental...

2. Introduction to Systems Engineering

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Introduction to Systems Engineering introduces you to the holistic and interdisciplinary systems engineering approach to designing, realizing, and managing complex systems. In this three-course specialization, you will learn how to evolve a project from idea to fielded hardware customized to meet customer requirements while effectively managing costs, timescales, and limiting risks. You will identify and define a system and its components, model a system life cycle, and apply systems...

3. Power Engineering: Power System Analysis - Part 1

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Start your career in electrical engineering and power engineering by learning the fundamentals of power system analysis...

4. Database Engineer/DBA - (PostgreSQL, IBM-DB2, MariaDB,NoSQL)

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4.2
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Practical Database Engineering Administration...

5. Autodesk CAD/CAM/CAE for Mechanical Engineering

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The demand placed on today’s engineers goes above and beyond the job description. Products have become complex and engineers are more frequently asked to leave specialized roles and to take on a wide variety of tasks that are beyond their traditional responsibilities. These tasks are centered on form, fit, and function. Engineers need to factor in broader concerns such as cost, procurement, sustainability, manufacturability, and serviceability. Their role has moved away from an individual...

6. Meta Database Engineer

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Want to get started in the world of database engineering? This program is taught by industry-recognized experts at Meta. You’ll learn the key skills required to create, manage and manipulate databases, as well as industry-standard programming languages and software such as SQL, Python, and Django used for supporting outstanding websites and apps like Facebook, Instagram and more.\n\nIn this program, you’ll learn:\n\nCore techniques and methods to structure and manage databases. Advanced...

7. Introduction to Laser-Cutting

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Learn to create designs for laser-cutters in less than a day...

8. Fundamentals of Database Engineering

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Learn ACID, Indexing, Partitioning, Sharding, Concurrency control, Replication, DB Engines, Best Practices and More!...

9. The Need for Systems Engineering

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Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to designing, realizing, and managing complex systems. In this course, you will be introduced to principles of systems engineering and its importance to the development of complex systems. You will learn to identify and define systems, manage their complexity, and describe their life cycle. The course uses real-world engineering examples to address how the systems engineering approach can address challenges. This course can be taken for...

10. Google Cloud Database Engineer

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A Database Engineer designs, creates, manages, migrates, and troubleshoots databases used by applications to store and retrieve data. This learning path guides you through a curated collection of on-demand courses, labs, and skill badges that provide you with real-world, hands-on experience using Google Cloud technologies essential to the Database Engineer role. Once you complete the path, check out our catalog for 700+ labs and courses to keep going on your professional journey...

11. Product Development & Systems Engineering

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The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...

12. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics

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Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...

13. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )

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4.3
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A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...

14. Unreal Engine: Character Skill System

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Master the tools used to build Fortnite as we craft our very own character skill system using the Unreal Engine!...

15. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)

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Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...

16. MATLAB/Simulink for Power System Simulations

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Learn how to simulate power systems in MATLAB/Simulink by building several Simulink power system models...

17. Mechanics / Statics - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

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Engineering Solid Mechanics / Engineering Statics...

18. Unreal Engine 5: Soulslike Melee Combat System

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Make a complete third person souls-like action RPG melee combat system in Unreal Engine 5!...

19. Laser Hair Removal and IPL rejuvenation for aestheticians

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Laser hair removal ( IPL and diode) , and IPL skin rejuvenation(acne, texture, pigmentation, vascular)...

20. Database Management System (DBMS) & SQL: Complete Pack-2023

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Database Engineering (RDBMS) : ER model,FD's,Normalization,SQL,ACID,Transactions & Concurrency Control, Indexing & more...

Top 10 most affordable universities for laser systems engineers

The most affordable schools for laser systems engineers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for laser 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 laser systems engineers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

5. United States Merchant Marine Academy

Kings Point, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$1,080

Cost of attendance

6,646

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

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. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for laser systems engineers

The hardest universities for laser systems engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for laser 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 laser 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

9. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

10. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,465

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for laser systems engineers

The easiest schools for laser systems engineers to get into are Capitol Technology University, the university of texas at el paso, and texas a&m; university - kingsville.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a laser 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 laser systems engineers.

1. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

2. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

3. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. California University of Pennsylvania

California, PA • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,007

6. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

7. Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,093

8. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)

Lemont Furnace, PA • Private

Admissions rate

80%

SAT average

1,067

9. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

10. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

Average laser systems engineer salary by education level

Laser systems engineers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $118,126 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, laser systems engineers earn a median annual income of $103,374 compared to $84,664 for laser systems engineers with an Associate degree.
Laser systems engineer education levelLaser systems engineer salary
Master's Degree$118,126
Bachelor's Degree$103,374
Some College/ Associate Degree$84,664

Laser systems engineer education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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