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Photonics engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a photonics engineer. Photonics engineers usually study electrical engineering, physics, or electrical engineering technology. 44% of photonics engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 24 real photonics engineer resumes to see exactly what photonics engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for photonics engineers are the Boston University and the Boston University.
There are also many online photonics engineer courses to help get the education required to be a photonics engineer.
What education do you need to become a photonics engineer?
What degree do you need to be a photonics engineer?
- Bachelor's, 44%
- Master's, 22%
- Doctorate, 17%
- Associate, 17%
What should I major in to become a photonics engineer?
Most common colleges for photonics engineers
| Photonics engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Boston University | 13.33% |
| University of Kentucky | 6.67% |
| Miami University | 6.67% |
| Williams College | 6.67% |
| Clemson University | 6.67% |
Best majors for photonics engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 21.7% |
| 2 | Physics | 21.7% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 8.7% |
| 4 | Chemistry | 8.7% |
| 5 | Engineering Science | 4.3% |
Best colleges for photonics engineers
The best colleges for photonics engineers are Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A photonics 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 photonics 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 photonics engineers.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
8. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
9. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$19,080
Enrollment
19,127
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
20 best online courses for photonics 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. Product Development & Systems Engineering
The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...
8. Optical Fiber Transmission Networks Using DWDM Technology
All you require to start with DWDM Technology, fundamentals, components: Mux/Demux, ROADMS, Amplifiers, transponders etc...
9. Machine Learning Engineering for Production (MLOps)
Understanding machine learning and deep learning concepts is essential, but if you’re looking to build an effective AI career, you need production engineering capabilities as well.\n\nEffectively deploying machine learning models requires competencies more commonly found in technical fields such as software engineering and DevOps. Machine learning engineering for production combines the foundational concepts of machine learning with the functional expertise of modern software development and...
10. Engineering and Product Design Processes
Welcome to “Engineering and Product Design Processes!” In this short course, you will learn how engineering design processes and product design processes are carried out. After the course, you will be familiar with the steps in both design processes. You will also be familiar with the main goal of each design process, as well as their similarities and differences...
11. Optical Fiber Access Networks Using PON/FTTH
All you need to know for getting started with FTTx Technology...
12. Mechanical design and Product development process
Learn the basic ideas and concepts behind developing mechanical products related to mechanical engineering...
13. 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...
14. Manufacturing Guide for Mechanical Product Development
Learn how everyday physical products are manufactured with no prior experience in engineering...
15. Slack: Less email. More productive.
Learn how to use slack to enjoy a simpler and more productive work life...
16. Insightful Customer Interviews for Product Managers
Direct conversations with real customers to gain insight, test product concepts, and drive product success...
17. #2 Scrum Product Owner -A Practical Guide For Product Owners
Product Owner Masterclass : Essential Skills for Product Owner, Scrum FW from Product Owner Viewpoint + Short PO Quiz...
18. 50 Personal Development And Personal Productivity Skills
Personal transformation to be a top-1% performer! Personal development, business productivity, and personal productivity...
19. Comprehensive Product management for Product managers
Become a great product manager with comprehensive product management Real world case study with JIRA & Confluence...
20. Product Design Management for Agile Practitioners
Application of product design management principles, concepts, tools and techniques in agile product management...
Top 10 most affordable universities for photonics engineers
The most affordable schools for photonics engineers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and united states merchant marine academy.
If the best universities for photonics 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 photonics engineers.
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. United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$1,080
Cost of attendance
6,646
4. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
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. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for photonics engineers
The hardest universities for photonics engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for photonics 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 photonics 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. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
6. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
9. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
10. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for photonics engineers
The easiest schools for photonics engineers to get into are D'Youville College, barry university, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a photonics 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 photonics engineers.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
7. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
8. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
9. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
10. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
Average photonics engineer salary by education level
| Photonics engineer education level | Photonics engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $108,808 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $94,891 |
| Doctorate Degree | $122,264 |
Photonics engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025