Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Principal process engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a principal process engineer. Principal process engineers usually study chemical engineering, chemistry, or electrical engineering. 73% of principal process engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 572 real principal process engineer resumes to see exactly what principal process engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for principal process engineers are the University of Houston and the University of Houston.
There are also many online principal process engineer courses to help get the education required to be a principal process engineer.
There are certain principal process engineer certifications that you should consider. These principal process engineer certifications include Certified Chemical Engineer (CCE) and Engineer In Training Certification (EIT).
What education do you need to become a principal process engineer?
What degree do you need to be a principal process engineer?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- Master's, 19%
- Doctorate, 4%
- Associate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a principal process engineer?
- Chemical Engineering, 48%
- Chemistry, 9%
- Business, 5%
- Other Majors, 30%
Most common colleges for principal process engineers
| Principal process engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Houston | 9.41% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 8.24% |
| University of Oklahoma | 8.24% |
| Indiana Institute of Technology | 5.88% |
| Colorado School of Mines | 5.88% |
Best majors for principal process engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemical Engineering | 48.3% |
| 2 | Chemistry | 9.0% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering | 8.4% |
| 4 | Business | 5.4% |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineering | 5.1% |
Best colleges for principal process engineers
The best colleges for principal process engineers are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A principal process 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 principal process 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 principal process 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. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
6. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
10. Clemson University
Clemson, SC • Private
In-state tuition
$15,374
Enrollment
19,564
20 best online courses for principal process engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. 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...
2. Image Processing for Engineering and Science
As cameras become widespread, there are endless opportunities to process images and videos. This specialization is intended for engineers and scientists who need to analyze, design, and build systems using images or videos. You will explore real-world applications like:\n\n· How quickly is arctic ice melting?\n\n· Does an MRI image show a healthy brain?\n\n· Are large cracks appearing in a foundation?\n\n· What is the traffic flow during peak hours of the day?\n\nYou will use MATLAB throughout...
3. Process/Chemical Engineering - BOOTCAMP 2021
The only course with over 10 hours practical knowledge about main process equipment Design, Control and Safety...
4. Leadership, Business Process Improvement, & Process Mapping!
Learn the leadership, communication, and process mapping skills to accelerate your career!...
5. Process Improvement
#1 Process Improvement course: The step by step guide on how to deliver effective and lasting process improvements...
6. Business Process Mapping
The complete guide to map any business process...
7. Process Mining with Celonis
Learn and practice how to combine data science and process mapping techniques to visualize processes with real data...
8. Process Flowcharts & Process Mapping - The Advanced Guide
Enhance your process flowchart knowledge advanced symbols, concepts, and best practices! - ECBA/CCBA/CBAP endorsed...
9. Process Flowcharts & Process Mapping - The Beginner's Guide
Use business analysis to model process flows with real-world examples & project-based hands-on activities -IIBA Endorsed...
10. How to Read P & ID, PFD & BFD used in Process Plant like Pro
Learn How to Read Piping and Instrument Diagram-P & ID, Process Flow Diagram and Block Flow Diagram used in Process Plant...
11. Aspen Plus - Basic Process Modeling
Learn how to model Basic Industrial and Chemical Processes!...
12. Certified Process Mapping / Flowcharts Expert Accredited
Accredited Process Mapping / Process Flowcharts Training And Certification Use Process Mapping For Process Improvement...
13. Aspen HYSYS - Basic Process Modeling
Learn how to model basic Industrial and Chemical Processes!...
14. Introduction to Business Process Modeling
Learn how to analyze, model, and improve your organization's business processes...
15. Introduction to Natural Language Processing
Learn basics of Natural Language Processing (NLP), Regular Expressions and Text Pre-processing using Python...
16. Process Mapping and Flowcharts Certification (Accredited)
Complete Process Mapping and Process Flowcharts Guide - Beginners Process Mapping Specialist Certification Earn PDUs...
17. Executive Briefing: Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Natural Language Processing for Executives and Top-Level Managers: understand NLP in under 30 Minutes...
18. The Complete Business Process Management (BPM) Master Class
12000+ enrollments Learn the Business Process Management methods used by the world's most successful organizations...
19. Manufacturing process selection and Design for manufacturing
Learn about the basics of selecting process for a mechanical design and the principles of design for Manufacturing...
20. Python Digital Image Processing From Ground Up™
Image Processing : Edge-Detection Algorithms , Convolution, Filter Design, Gray-Level Transformation, Histograms etc...
Top 10 most affordable universities for principal process engineers
The most affordable schools for principal process engineers are United States Merchant Marine Academy, california state university - long beach, and university of puerto rico - mayaguez.
If the best universities for principal process 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 principal process engineers.
1. United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$1,080
Cost of attendance
6,646
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for principal process engineers
The hardest universities for principal process engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for principal process 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 principal process 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. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for principal process engineers
The easiest schools for principal process engineers to get into are Texas A&M; University - Kingsville, saint cloud state university, and oregon institute of technology.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a principal process 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 principal process engineers.
1. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
2. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
3. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
4. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
5. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
6. Washington State University
Pullman, WA • Private
Admissions rate
77%
SAT average
1,123
7. Lamar University
Beaumont, TX • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,043
8. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
9. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
10. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
Average principal process engineer salary by education level
| Principal process engineer education level | Principal process engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $147,920 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $131,146 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $109,525 |
Principal process engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
Search for principal process engineer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025