Process control engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a process control engineer. Process control engineers usually study chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering. 79% of process control engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 10% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,415 real process control engineer resumes to see exactly what process control engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for process control engineers are the Purdue University and the Purdue University.

There are also many online process control engineer courses to help get the education required to be a process control engineer.

There are certain process control engineer certifications that you should consider. These process control engineer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and Six Sigma Green Belt.

What education do you need to become a process control engineer?

What degree do you need to be a process control engineer?

The most common degree for process control engineers is bachelor's degree, with 79% of process control engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 10% and associate degree degree at 8%.

Bachelor's, 79%

Associate, 10%

Master's, 8%

Diploma, 1%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a process control engineer?

You should major in chemical engineering to become a process control engineer. 24% of process control engineers major in chemical engineering. Other common majors for a process control engineer include electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

Chemical Engineering, 24%

Electrical Engineering, 22%

Mechanical Engineering, 12%

Electrical Engineering Technology, 7%

Other Majors, 35%

Most common colleges for process control engineers

Process control engineers often get their degrees at Purdue University, Drexel University, and Pennsylvania State University. Here are the most common colleges for process control engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Process control engineer common college	Percentages
Purdue University	12.62%
Drexel University	9.35%
Pennsylvania State University	8.88%
University of Houston	6.07%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	5.61%

Show more common process control engineer colleges

Best majors for process control engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Chemical Engineering	24.4%
2	Electrical Engineering	22.0%
3	Mechanical Engineering	11.8%
4	Electrical Engineering Technology	6.5%
5	Business	5.1%

Show more common process control engineer majors

Best colleges for process control engineers

The best colleges for process control engineers are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A process control 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 process control 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 process control engineers.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

3. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

10. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

20 best online courses for process control engineers

Advertising disclosure

1. Sensor Manufacturing and Process Control

"Sensor Manufacturing and Process Control" can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5343, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. This is our fourth course in our specialization on Embedding Sensor and Motors. To get the most out of this course, you should first take our first course entitled "Sensors and Sensor Circuits", our second course entitled "Motor and Motor Control Circuits", and our third course entitled "Pressure, Force, Motion, and Humidity...

2. Statistical Process Control (SPC) Using Microsoft Excel

4.6

(1,425)

A Deep Dive into Analyzing your Process Data to Drive Quality Improvements within your Organization...

3. Introduction to PLC's [Programmable Logic Controllers]-07-21

(502)

This course is a great introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers Theory, Principles, and Programming Applications...

4. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS

4.5

(783)

Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...

5. Leadership, Business Process Improvement, & Process Mapping!

4.5

(3,086)

Learn the leadership, communication, and process mapping skills to accelerate your career!...

6. Process Visualization (Level 3)

4.6

(1,939)

Learn HMI / SCADA hands-on by developing your own live interfaces for a running system...

7. Introduction to process control and instrumentation

4.4

(2,479)

Learn how process control is ensured in process industries & how the main instruments measure the key process variables...

8. Process Improvement

4.6

(1,844)

#1 Process Improvement course: The step by step guide on how to deliver effective and lasting process improvements...

9. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control

4.2

(791)

Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...

10. Process/Chemical Engineering - BOOTCAMP 2021

4.2

(448)

The only course with over 10 hours practical knowledge about main process equipment Design, Control and Safety...

11. Process Mining with Celonis

4.4

(1,084)

Learn and practice how to combine data science and process mapping techniques to visualize processes with real data...

12. Step-by-Step Learn Wonderware InTouch SCADA (PLC-SCADA-2)

(371)

Complete practical Training on Wonderware In Touch SCADA With Industry Based Examples In Touch SCADA A-Z...

13. Business Process Mapping

4.3

(288)

The complete guide to map any business process...

14. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)

4.6

(292)

Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...

15. PLC & AC Drive with Automatic & Manual Industrial Control

4.2

(501)

this course will take newbies to a higher level to deal with complex PLC projects, Motor Drives ( VFD ) & Manual Control...

16. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design

4.2

(338)

Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...

17. PLC Programming - Training from Scratch on RSLogix500 & 5000

4.5

(2,418)

PLC programming from scratch training class by a controls engineer equipped with PLC systems - Allen Bradley RSLogix 500...

18. Certified Process Mapping / Flowcharts Expert Accredited

4.7

(352)

Accredited Process Mapping / Process Flowcharts Training And Certification Use Process Mapping For Process Improvement...

19. Process Flowcharts & Process Mapping - The Advanced Guide

4.7

(3,077)

Enhance your process flowchart knowledge advanced symbols, concepts, and best practices! - ECBA/CCBA/CBAP endorsed...

20. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems

4.6

(4,741)

Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...

Top 10 most affordable universities for process control engineers

The most affordable schools for process control engineers are University of Florida, united states merchant marine academy, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for process control 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 process control 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. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

7. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

8. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

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. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for process control engineers

The hardest universities for process control engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for process control 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 process control 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

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

SAT average

1,492

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

5. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

6. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

10. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,465

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for process control engineers

The easiest schools for process control engineers to get into are Texas A&M; University - Kingsville, oregon institute of technology, and oklahoma wesleyan university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a process control 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 process control 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. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

4. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)

Lemont Furnace, PA • Private

Admissions rate

80%

SAT average

1,067

5. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

6. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

7. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

8. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

9. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

10. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

Average process control engineer salary by education level

Process control engineers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $100,566 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, process control engineers earn a median annual income of $90,372 compared to $77,011 for process control engineers with an Associate degree.

Process control engineer education level	Process control engineer salary
Master's Degree	$100,566
Bachelor's Degree	$90,372
Some College/ Associate Degree	$77,011

Process control engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Process Control Engineers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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