Process control technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a process control technician. Process control technicians usually study electrical engineering, business, or electrical engineering technology. 41% of process control technicians hold a associate degree, and 39% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 816 real process control technician resumes to see exactly what process control technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for process control technicians are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

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

There are certain process control technician certifications that you should consider. These process control technician certifications include Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) and Industrial Electronics (IND).

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

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

The most common degree for process control technicians is associate degree, with 41% of process control technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 39% and bachelor's degree degree at 9%.

Associate, 41%

Bachelor's, 39%

High School Diploma, 9%

Diploma, 5%

Other Degrees, 6%

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

You should major in electrical engineering to become a process control technician. 19% of process control technicians major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a process control technician include business and electrical engineering technology.

Electrical Engineering, 19%

Business, 17%

Electrical Engineering Technology, 12%

Chemistry, 8%

Other Majors, 44%

Most common colleges for process control technicians

Process control technicians often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Purdue University, and University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus. Here are the most common colleges for process control technicians in the US based on their resumes.

Process control technician common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	14.52%
Purdue University	8.06%
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus	6.45%
New Mexico State University	6.45%
DeVry University	6.45%

Show more common process control technician colleges

Best majors for process control technicians

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	19.4%
2	Business	16.7%
3	Electrical Engineering Technology	12.3%
4	Chemistry	7.7%
5	Industrial Technology	4.6%

Show more common process control technician majors

Best colleges for process control technicians

The best colleges for process control technicians are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

A process control technician 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 technicians. 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 technicians.

1. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

6. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

7. Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,646

Enrollment

5,736

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

9. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

10. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

20 best online courses for process control technicians

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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. 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...

4. ISO 9001:2015 Quality management system auditor

4.5

(7,832)

Upgrade your career by learning how to implement and audit a quality management system according to ISO 9001...

5. 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...

6. Certified Quality Process Analyst Training

4.3

(311)

Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) Exam Preparation Course - Confidently Pass the Exam on the First Attempt...

7. 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...

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

4.5

(3,086)

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

9. The Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)

4.5

(1,218)

The 18-step process for ensuring new parts are consistently manufactured and meet their customers' quality expectations...

10. ISO 9001:2015-Quality Management System Implementation & Audit

4.2

(707)

Learn how to Implement and Audit a Quality Management System as per ISO 9001: 2015...

11. Quality Management Systems:Management and Control of Quality

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Learn to Build, Implement, and Sustain a Performance Excellence Culture into Your Organisation...

12. Process Improvement

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

13. How to Write Effortless Quality Procedures & SOPs for ISO

4.6

(360)

Write Professional Procedures. The only course with 1-on-1 online meeting with the instructor & e-mail support...

14. 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...

15. 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!...

16. 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...

17. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide

4.4

(798)

Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...

18. 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...

19. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

4.4

(976)

Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

20. Process Capability Analysis

4.7

(1,808)

A Powerful Tool Set for Understanding your Manufacturing Process Relative to Your Customers' Quality Expectations...

Top 10 most affordable universities for process control technicians

The most affordable schools for process control technicians are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - long beach, and california state university - los angeles.

If the best universities for process control technicians 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 technicians.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

6. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

7. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

8. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

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. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for process control technicians

The hardest universities for process control technicians to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for process control technicians 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 technicians 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

5. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,516

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

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

The easiest schools for process control technicians to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, texas a&m; university - kingsville, and kean university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a process control technician 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 technicians.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

3. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

4. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois

DuBois, PA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,079

5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

6. California University of Pennsylvania

California, PA • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,007

7. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

8. Indiana State University

Terre Haute, IN • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,019

9. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

10. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

Average process control technician salary by education level

Process control technicians with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $56,173 annually. With a Associate degree, process control technicians earn a median annual income of $54,652 compared to $54,032 for process control technicians with an Bachelor's degree.

Process control technician education level	Process control technician salary
Master's Degree	$56,173
High School Diploma or Less	$52,211
Bachelor's Degree	$54,032
Some College/ Associate Degree	$54,652

Process control technician education FAQs

What is the best college for Process Control Technicians?

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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