Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Microwave engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a microwave engineer. Microwave engineers usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or engineering. 63% of microwave engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 279 real microwave engineer resumes to see exactly what microwave engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for microwave engineers are the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
There are also many online microwave engineer courses to help get the education required to be a microwave engineer.
What education do you need to become a microwave engineer?
What degree do you need to be a microwave engineer?
- Bachelor's, 63%
- Master's, 21%
- Associate, 11%
- Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a microwave engineer?
- Engineering, 5%
- Other Majors, 23%
Most common colleges for microwave engineers
| Microwave engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 7.69% |
| University of California - Davis | 7.69% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 7.69% |
| Texas A&M University | 7.69% |
| DeVry University | 7.69% |
Best majors for microwave engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 61.9% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 6.3% |
| 3 | Engineering | 5.0% |
| 4 | Computer Engineering | 3.8% |
| 5 | Business | 3.1% |
Best colleges for microwave engineers
The best colleges for microwave engineers are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
A microwave 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 microwave 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 microwave engineers.
1. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
3. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
4. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
5. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,785
Enrollment
7,711
6. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
7. Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$40,749
Enrollment
2,582
8. Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$11,870
Enrollment
53,194
9. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,926
Enrollment
9,835
10. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$19,080
Enrollment
19,127
20 best online courses for microwave engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Network Automation Engineering Fundamentals
The Network Automation Engineering Fundamentals Specialization takes mid- to expert-level network engineers through the primary topics of network automation and programmability and prepares them for the NetDevOps environment. This Specialization serves as a well-rounded survey of topics and core skills that a network automation engineer should know to effectively deploy and operate a NetDevOps environment.\n\nCompleting this Specialization will help you prepare to operate as a network...
2. Akamai Network Engineering
Are you interested in learning how large global network operations work? Does managing 30% of the internet traffic globally intrigue you? Then the Network Engineering certification is for you. The NOCC is a proactive monitoring and troubleshooting team that monitors and manages globally distributed servers and resolves network bottlenecks in real time. This beginner level certificate is designed to provide you with in-demand skills that range from internet technology fundamentals, networking,...
3. RF Microwave & Transmission Line Theory - RAHRF200
RF Microwave and transmission line theory with practical examples by calculation and Keysight ADS software-rahsoft...
4. RF Basic Concepts & Components Radio Frequency- Entry Level
RAHRF101 is a quick start to the basic RF topic and the prerequisite for Rahsoft RF Certificate...
5. RF and millimeter-Wave Circuit Design
This unique Master-level course offered by the Center for Wireless Technology Eindhoven (CWT/e) of the Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands, provides students with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience on RF and mmWave circuit design. The course covers the topics on how to derive the RF wireless systems specifications, and how to design the main building blocks of a transceiver, i.e., low noise amplifier, power amplifier, RF mixers, oscillators, and PLL frequency...
6. Telecom basics (signals-satellite-microwaves-antennas)
مبادئ الاتصالات السلكية واللاسلكية للمبتدئين وغير المهندسين...
7. Introduction to RF Design Theory and Principles - RAHRF201
Preparing for Apple, Broadcom, Qualcomm , Skyworks and other RF interviews...
8. Modulation in Communication System for RF Engineers RAHRF152
Analog and Digital Modulation simplified for Radio Frequency experts This course concentrates more on ideology than math...
9. RF Design Architecture of Receiver Transmitter & Transceiver
RF System Design for Wireless systems RAHRF409 Radio Frequency Transceiver System Design Course Rahsoft RF Certificate...
10. RF / Antenna Fundamentals
Applications in 802.11 Wi Fi...
11. CST Antenna Design with zero to hero
CST Antenna Design...
12. Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)
Certificate Exam Preparatory Course...
13. Product Development & Systems Engineering
The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...
14. Unreal Engine: Character Skill System
Master the tools used to build Fortnite as we craft our very own character skill system using the Unreal Engine!...
15. 5G RF Planning
A better Understanding of 5G RF Planning process...
16. Wireless Networking Fundamentals
Understanding Radio Frequency Signalling for Better Network Design and Implementation...
17. Fundamentals of Network Engineering
Understanding the first principles of networking to build low latency and high throughput backends...
18. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )
A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...
19. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)
Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...
20. Linux for Network Engineers: Practical Linux with GNS3
Linux for Networking Engineers (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE etc). Practical Linux with GNS3 = network programmability & automation...
Top 10 most affordable universities for microwave engineers
The most affordable schools for microwave engineers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.
If the best universities for microwave 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 microwave 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. National University College - Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$6,675
Cost of attendance
12,941
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 microwave engineers
The hardest universities for microwave engineers to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for microwave 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 microwave 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 microwave engineers
The easiest schools for microwave 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 a microwave 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 microwave 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. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
9. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
10. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
Average microwave engineer salary by education level
| Microwave engineer education level | Microwave engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $108,767 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $92,603 |
| Doctorate Degree | $124,855 |
Microwave engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
Search for microwave engineer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025