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Manufacturing controls engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a manufacturing controls engineer. Manufacturing controls engineers usually study accounting, business, or electrical engineering. 73% of manufacturing controls engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 556 real manufacturing controls engineer resumes to see exactly what manufacturing controls engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for manufacturing controls engineers are the Western Michigan University and the Western Michigan University.

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

What education do you need to become a manufacturing controls engineer?

What degree do you need to be a manufacturing controls engineer?

The most common degree for manufacturing controls engineers is bachelor's degree, with 73% of manufacturing controls engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 15% and master's degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 73%
  • Master's, 15%
  • Associate, 8%
  • Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a manufacturing controls engineer?

You should major in accounting to become a manufacturing controls engineer. 34% of manufacturing controls engineers major in accounting. Other common majors for a manufacturing controls engineer include business and electrical engineering.

Most common colleges for manufacturing controls engineers

Manufacturing controls engineers often get their degrees at Western Michigan University, University of Wisconsin Colleges, and Purdue University. Here are the most common colleges for manufacturing controls engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Manufacturing controls engineer common collegePercentages
Western Michigan University10.71%
University of Wisconsin Colleges7.14%
Purdue University7.14%
Texas A&M University7.14%
Ohio State University5.95%

Best majors for manufacturing controls engineers

RankMajorPercentages
1Accounting33.8%
2Business16.6%
3Electrical Engineering11.9%
4Mechanical Engineering6.0%
5Finance4.9%

Best colleges for manufacturing controls engineers

The best colleges for manufacturing controls engineers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University.

A manufacturing controls 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 manufacturing controls 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 manufacturing controls engineers.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

7. Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$52,930

Enrollment

5,030

8. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

9. Clemson University

Clemson, SC • Private

In-state tuition

$15,374

Enrollment

19,564

10. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

20 best online courses for manufacturing controls engineers

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1. Sensor Manufacturing and Process Control

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2. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control

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3. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)

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Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...

4. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls

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4.5
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Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...

5. SAP Controlling

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SAP Controlling...

6. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design

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4.2
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Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...

7. SAP Finance and Controlling

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Master SAP Finance and Controlling...

8. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring

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4.4
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Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...

9. PLC & AC Drive with Automatic & Manual Industrial Control

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this course will take newbies to a higher level to deal with complex PLC projects, Motor Drives ( VFD ) & Manual Control...

10. PLC Programming - Training from Scratch on RSLogix500 & 5000

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PLC programming from scratch training class by a controls engineer equipped with PLC systems - Allen Bradley RSLogix 500...

11. Introduction to PLC's [Programmable Logic Controllers]-07-21

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This course is a great introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers Theory, Principles, and Programming Applications...

12. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide

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Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...

13. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC

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Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...

14. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS

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4.5
(783)

Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...

15. Git Github Gitkraken: Version Control without Command Line

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Learn Version Control using one of the most intuitive graphical user interface for Git. Just Point and Click...

16. Model, Simulate and Control a Drone in MATLAB & SIMULINK

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4.3
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Simulate a DJI Mavic Pro in Matlab & SIMULINK and design your own PID controllers for altitude and attitude control...

17. Statistical Process Control (SPC) Using Microsoft Excel

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4.6
(1,425)

A Deep Dive into Analyzing your Process Data to Drive Quality Improvements within your Organization...

18. Learn Estimating & Cost Control

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4
(345)

Develop a good practical understanding of best practice estimating and cost control on building & construction Projects...

19. Manufacturing Operations - Planning, Management and Control

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4.6
(942)

Cutting-Edge Production Management Methods That Will Help You Outperform the Competition...

20. Introduction to process control and instrumentation

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4.4
(2,479)

Learn how process control is ensured in process industries & how the main instruments measure the key process variables...

Top 10 most affordable universities for manufacturing controls engineers

The most affordable schools for manufacturing controls engineers are California State University - Long Beach, university of florida, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for manufacturing controls 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 manufacturing controls 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. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

5. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

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. United States Merchant Marine Academy

Kings Point, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$1,080

Cost of attendance

6,646

9. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

10. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for manufacturing controls engineers

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

Some great schools for manufacturing controls 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 manufacturing controls 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

8. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,434

10. Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,380

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for manufacturing controls engineers

The easiest schools for manufacturing controls engineers to get into are Texas A&M; University - Kingsville, oklahoma wesleyan university, and notre dame de namur university.

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

1. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

4. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

5. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

6. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

7. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

8. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

9. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

10. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

Average manufacturing controls engineer salary by education level

According to our data, manufacturing controls engineers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $110,719 annually. Manufacturing controls engineers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $99,551.
Manufacturing controls engineer education levelManufacturing controls engineer salary
Master's Degree$110,719
Bachelor's Degree$99,551
Some College/ Associate Degree$84,905

Manufacturing controls 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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