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Microsystems engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a microsystems engineer. Microsystems engineers usually study computer science, ceramic sciences and engineering, or business. 60% of microsystems engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 30% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 15 real microsystems engineer resumes to see exactly what microsystems engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for microsystems engineers are the Alfred University and the Alfred University.

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

What education do you need to become a microsystems engineer?

What degree do you need to be a microsystems engineer?

The most common degree for microsystems engineers is bachelor's degree, with 60% of microsystems engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 30% and associate degree degree at 10%.
  • Bachelor's, 60%
  • Associate, 30%
  • Master's, 10%

What should I major in to become a microsystems engineer?

You should major in computer science to become a microsystems engineer. 27% of microsystems engineers major in computer science. Other common majors for a microsystems engineer include ceramic sciences and engineering and business.

Most common colleges for microsystems engineers

Microsystems engineers often get their degrees at Alfred University, University of Colorado at Boulder, and University of Akron. Here are the most common colleges for microsystems engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Microsystems engineer common collegePercentages
Alfred University33.33%
University of Colorado at Boulder11.11%
University of Akron11.11%
Limestone College11.11%
Platt College-Ontario11.11%

Best majors for microsystems engineers

RankMajorPercentages
1Computer Science27.3%
2Ceramic Sciences And Engineering27.3%
3Business9.1%
4Mechanical Engineering9.1%
5Fine Arts9.1%

Best colleges for microsystems engineers

The best colleges for microsystems engineers are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Vanderbilt University.

A microsystems 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 microsystems 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 microsystems engineers.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

2. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

7. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,226

Enrollment

31,568

8. Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$52,930

Enrollment

5,030

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

In-state tuition

$49,816

Enrollment

6,840

10. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

20 best online courses for microsystems engineers

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1. Computer Hardware and Software

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5. IBM Data Engineering

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6. Information Technology (IT) and Cloud Fundamentals

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10. 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...

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Top 10 most affordable universities for microsystems engineers

The most affordable schools for microsystems engineers are California State University - Bakersfield, california state university - long beach, and california state university - fullerton.

If the best universities for microsystems 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 microsystems engineers.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

8. 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

9. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

10. California State University - Northridge

Northridge, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,893

Cost of attendance

18,870

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for microsystems engineers

The hardest universities for microsystems engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for microsystems 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 microsystems 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. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

3. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

7. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

9. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

10. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for microsystems engineers

The easiest schools for microsystems engineers to get into are Barry University, nyack college, and oklahoma wesleyan university.

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

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

4. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

5. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

6. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

7. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

8. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

9. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

10. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

Average microsystems engineer salary by education level

Microsystems engineers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $111,422 annually. With a Master's degree, microsystems engineers earn a median annual income of $100,578 compared to $88,899 for microsystems engineers with an Bachelor's degree.
Microsystems engineer education levelMicrosystems engineer salary
Master's Degree$100,578
Bachelor's Degree$88,899
Doctorate Degree$111,422

Microsystems 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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