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Manufacturing systems engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a manufacturing systems engineer. Manufacturing systems engineers usually study mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or electrical engineering. 72% of manufacturing systems engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 438 real manufacturing systems engineer resumes to see exactly what manufacturing systems engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for manufacturing systems engineers are the Purdue University and the Purdue University.
There are also many online manufacturing systems engineer courses to help get the education required to be a manufacturing systems engineer.
There are certain manufacturing systems engineer certifications that you should consider. These manufacturing systems engineer certifications include Six Sigma Green Belt and Project Management Professional (PMP).
What education do you need to become a manufacturing systems engineer?
What degree do you need to be a manufacturing systems engineer?
- Bachelor's, 72%
- Master's, 13%
- Associate, 11%
- Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a manufacturing systems engineer?
- Other Majors, 44%
Most common colleges for manufacturing systems engineers
| Manufacturing systems engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Purdue University | 11.39% |
| Arizona State University | 7.59% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 7.59% |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 6.33% |
| Bradley University | 5.06% |
Best majors for manufacturing systems engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechanical Engineering | 23.6% |
| 2 | Industrial Engineering | 13.3% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering | 11.7% |
| 4 | Industrial Technology | 7.4% |
| 5 | Business | 6.8% |
Best colleges for manufacturing systems engineers
The best colleges for manufacturing systems engineers are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Stanford University.
A manufacturing 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 manufacturing 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 manufacturing systems engineers.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
4. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$15,094
Enrollment
32,974
5. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
9. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
20 best online courses for manufacturing systems engineers
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2. Introduction to Systems Engineering
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. 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. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)
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6. 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...
7. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...
8. Inventory Management in Manufacturing
Complete course on Inventory Management...
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 PLC's [Programmable Logic Controllers]-07-21
This course is a great introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers Theory, Principles, and Programming Applications...
11. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )
A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...
12. Manufacturing process selection and Design for manufacturing
Learn about the basics of selecting process for a mechanical design and the principles of design for Manufacturing...
13. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems
Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...
14. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS
Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...
15. Manufacturing Operations - Planning, Management and Control
Cutting-Edge Production Management Methods That Will Help You Outperform the Competition...
16. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design
Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...
17. Process/Chemical Engineering - BOOTCAMP 2021
The only course with over 10 hours practical knowledge about main process equipment Design, Control and Safety...
18. Complete Field Instrumentation Engineering Course
Flow, Level, Temperature and Pressure Instrument - Selection, Sizing, Calculation and Detail Engineering...
19. Inventory Management: Safety Stock Calculation and Control
Optimize your Supply Chain Safety Stock. Simple to Advanced Methods. Reduce Costs and Risk in your Business Operations...
20. Supply Chain: Inventory Control & Safety Stock Calculation
Reduce Operational Cost by Optimizing in Inventory Levels...
Top 10 most affordable universities for manufacturing systems engineers
The most affordable schools for manufacturing systems engineers are United States Merchant Marine Academy, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for manufacturing 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 manufacturing systems engineers.
1. United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$1,080
Cost of attendance
6,646
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
10. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for manufacturing systems engineers
The hardest universities for manufacturing systems engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for manufacturing 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 manufacturing 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
9. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
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 manufacturing systems engineers
The easiest schools for manufacturing systems engineers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, texas a&m; university - kingsville, and notre dame de namur university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a manufacturing 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 manufacturing systems engineers.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
3. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
4. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
5. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
6. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
7. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
8. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
9. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average manufacturing systems engineer salary by education level
| Manufacturing systems engineer education level | Manufacturing systems engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $97,469 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $87,566 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $74,591 |
Manufacturing systems engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025