Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Optical instrument specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an optical instrument specialist. Optical instrument specialists usually study business, electrical engineering, or electrical engineering technology. 44% of optical instrument specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 24% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 184 real optical instrument specialist resumes to see exactly what optical instrument specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for optical instrument specialists are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.
There are also many online optical instrument specialist courses to help get the education required to be an optical instrument specialist.
What education do you need to become an optical instrument specialist?
What degree do you need to be an optical instrument specialist?
- Bachelor's, 44%
- Associate, 24%
- High School Diploma, 15%
- Diploma, 8%
- Other Degrees, 9%
What should I major in to become an optical instrument specialist?
- Business, 15%
- Communication, 6%
- Other Majors, 62%
Most common colleges for optical instrument specialists
| Optical instrument specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| DeVry University | 15.38% |
| Central State University | 7.69% |
| Florida State University | 7.69% |
| California University of Pennsylvania | 7.69% |
| Western Washington University | 3.85% |
Best majors for optical instrument specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 14.7% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 10.3% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 7.4% |
| 4 | Communication | 5.9% |
| 5 | Medical Assisting Services | 5.9% |
Best colleges for optical instrument specialists
The best colleges for optical instrument specialists are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and Yale University.
An optical instrument specialist 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 instrument specialists. 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 instrument specialists.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
4. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$53,430
Enrollment
5,963
5. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
6. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
9. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$15,094
Enrollment
32,974
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
20 best online courses for optical instrument specialists
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. 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...
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. 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...
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. Operations and Patient Safety for Healthcare IT Staff
Now that you've been introduced to the world of Health IT and the important role played by electronic health records (EHRs), we'll focus on other technologies that play a role in maintaining ongoing operations in healthcare. Telemedicine, patient portals, barcode scanners, printers, and medical devices are just some of the technologies that impact providers and patients. As an IT support specialist, you’ll be asked to troubleshoot issues with a wide variety of tools. You'll see a scenario with...
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. Project Schedule: Monitor & Control Specialist (Accredited)
Schedule Management: Monitor & Control Schedule, Analyze Schedule, Solve Project Schedule Problems Earn CPDs & PDUs...
13. Introduction to Instrumentation
This course was developed and based on my experiences (more than 12 years ) in Instrumentation ...
14. Tableau Certification: Desktop Specialist + Data Analyst
Complete guide to acing the 2021-2022 Tableau Desktop Specialist & Certified Data Analyst exams (2 full practice tests!)...
15. Complete Field Instrumentation Engineering Course
Flow, Level, Temperature and Pressure Instrument - Selection, Sizing, Calculation and Detail Engineering...
16. Tableau Data Analyst/Specialist Desktop Certification
From beginners to skills needed for Data Analyst or Desktop Specialist certifications. Tableau 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020...
17. Tableau Data Analyst & Specialist Certifications /w Datasets
Get ready for Tableau Certifications: Specialist Desktop & Data Analyst. Hands-On Datasets & Exam Guarantee!...
18. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification Guide
Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification Exam Subjects Covered in Detail! + Real World Case Study & 2 Practice Tests...
19. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Email Specialist Practice Tests
Email Specialist Practice Exams - 100 Questions - Answers & Explanations - Exam Simulated Environment...
20. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification Exam Prep 2023
Pass the Updated Tableau Desktop Specialist Exam on your first try with video lessons, Study Notes, Quizzes & 1:1 chat!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for optical instrument specialists
The most affordable schools for optical instrument specialists are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for optical instrument specialists 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 instrument specialists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
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. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for optical instrument specialists
The hardest universities for optical instrument specialists to get into are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and Yale University.
Some great schools for optical instrument specialists 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 instrument specialists 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. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
8. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,488
9. Brown University
Providence, RI • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
10. Rice University
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for optical instrument specialists
The easiest schools for optical instrument specialists to get into are D'Youville College, oregon institute of technology, and university of houston - downtown.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an optical instrument specialist 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 instrument specialists.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
3. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
4. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
5. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
6. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
7. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
8. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
9. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
10. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
Average optical instrument specialist salary by education level
| Optical instrument specialist education level | Optical instrument specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $64,832 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $56,102 |
| Doctorate Degree | $74,447 |
Optical instrument specialist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.
Search for optical instrument specialist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025