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Optical engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an optical engineer. Optical engineers usually study physics, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering. 60% of optical engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 609 real optical engineer resumes to see exactly what optical engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for optical engineers are the University of Rochester and the University of Rochester.
There are also many online optical engineer courses to help get the education required to be an optical engineer.
What education do you need to become an optical engineer?
What degree do you need to be an optical engineer?
- Bachelor's, 60%
- Master's, 22%
- Doctorate, 11%
- Associate, 4%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become an optical engineer?
- Physics, 45%
- Other Majors, 22%
Most common colleges for optical engineers
| Optical engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Rochester | 20.63% |
| University of Arizona | 19.84% |
| San Diego State University | 5.56% |
| University of Central Florida | 4.76% |
| University of Alabama at Huntsville | 4.76% |
Best majors for optical engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physics | 45.0% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 27.2% |
| 3 | Mechanical Engineering | 3.0% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 3.0% |
| 5 | Business | 2.2% |
Best colleges for optical engineers
The best colleges for optical engineers are Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Johns Hopkins University.
An optical 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 optical 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 optical engineers.
1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
5. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
7. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
8. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
9. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,555
Enrollment
30,360
10. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
20 best online courses for optical engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Optical Engineering
The courses in this specialization can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5600-5602, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Enroll here.\n\nOptical instruments are how we see the world, from corrective eyewear to medical endoscopes to cell phone cameras to orbiting telescopes. This course will teach you how to design such optical systems with simple graphical techniques, then transform those pencil and paper designs to include real optical components...
2. Active Optical Devices
The courses in this specialization can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5605-5607, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Enroll here.\n\nThis Active Optical Devices specialization is designed to help you gain complete understanding of active optical devices by clearly defining and interconnecting the fundamental physical mechanisms, device design principles, and device performance. You will study and gain active experience with light emitting...
3. Introduction To Fiber Optic Cabling
Welcome! This course is designed to give you a good understand of fiber optics and fiber data transmission...
4. IT network cabling: The complete fiber optics course
Demystifying fiber optics, the fastest growing ICT network infrastructure sector one lesson at a time!...
5. Design of High-Performance Optical Systems
This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5602, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Optical instruments are how we see the world, from corrective eyewear to medical endoscopes to cell phone cameras to orbiting telescopes. This course extends what you have learned about first-order, paraxial system design and optical resolution and efficiency with the introduction to real lenses and their imperfections. We begin with a description of how...
6. Waves and Optics
This specialization is for learners who have completed a first-year university-level physics course and wants to continue their study. Through three courses, you will gain a foundation in waves and optics ranging from simple oscillators and waves in strings, to advanced diffraction effects of electromagnetic waves. With an entire semester of lectures and over 100 problems, this comprehensive specialization is similar in detail and rigor to what is taught in on-campus courses. It will thoroughly...
7. Optical Fiber Transmission Networks Using DWDM Technology
All you require to start with DWDM Technology, fundamentals, components: Mux/Demux, ROADMS, Amplifiers, transponders etc...
8. Optical Fiber Access Networks Using PON/FTTH
All you need to know for getting started with FTTx Technology...
9. Python Optical Character Recognition using Pytorch
Note: The rhyme platform currently does not support webcams, so this is not a live project. This guided project is about optical character recognition using Pythorch, a Python library. This comes under the computer vision domain. While you are watching me code, you will get a cloud desktop with all the required software pre-installed. This will allow you to code along with me. After all, we learn best with active, hands-on learning. Note: This project works best for learners who are based in...
10. Zemax/OpticStudio Fundamentals (non-sequential mode)
Complete Beginners Guide on How to Use Zemax/Optic Studio (non-sequential mode)...
11. Introduction To Telecom Networks: Fixed/Wireless Networks
PSTN, Voice Over IP Systems (Softswitch, IMS), Internet, Mobile/cellular systems, Optical Fiber Systems (OFAN, DWDM)...
12. Computer Vision: Python OCR & Object Detection Quick Starter
Quick Starter for Optical Character Recognition, Image Recognition Object Detection and Object Recognition using Python...
13. Product Development & Systems Engineering
The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...
14. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking
For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...
15. NI LabVIEW: Become a LabVIEW Test Engineer
Learn Lab VIEW from industrial experienced consultant, starting from basic programming to advanced Lab VIEW projects...
16. Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer Practice Tests
Pass the Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer Exam...
17. Practical - ISTQB - Test Automation Engineer Course 2023
Learn the concepts, methods and tools to pass the ISTQB - Advanced Level - Test Automation Engineer Certification Exam...
18. Machine Learning and Data Science Hands-on with Python and R
Machine Learning, Statistics, Python, AI, Tensorflow, AWS, Deep Learning, R Programming, NLP, Bayesian, BI and much more...
19. Learn Computer Vision and Image Processing in LabVIEW
Learn Computer Vision and Image Processing From Scratch in Lab VIEW and build 9 Vision-based Apps...
20. Applied Statistical Modeling for Data Analysis in R
Your Complete Guide to Statistical Data Analysis and Visualization For Practical Applications in R...
Top 10 most affordable universities for optical engineers
The most affordable schools for optical engineers are University of Florida, united states merchant marine academy, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for optical 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 optical engineers.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$1,080
Cost of attendance
6,646
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
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. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for optical engineers
The hardest universities for optical engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for optical 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 optical 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. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
7. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
10. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for optical engineers
The easiest schools for optical engineers to get into are Texas A&M; University - Kingsville, oregon institute of technology, and adventhealth university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an optical 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 optical engineers.
1. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
2. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
3. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
4. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
5. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
6. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
7. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois
DuBois, PA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,079
8. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
9. Lamar University
Beaumont, TX • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,043
10. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
Average optical engineer salary by education level
| Optical engineer education level | Optical engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $110,349 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $98,002 |
| Doctorate Degree | $122,088 |
Optical engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025