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Process improvement engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a process improvement engineer. Process improvement engineers usually study business, industrial engineering, or mechanical engineering. 69% of process improvement engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 2,237 real process improvement engineer resumes to see exactly what process improvement engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for process improvement engineers are the Purdue University and the Purdue University.
There are also many online process improvement engineer courses to help get the education required to be a process improvement engineer.
There are certain process improvement engineer certifications that you should consider. These process improvement engineer certifications include Six Sigma Green Belt and Six Sigma Black Belt.
What education do you need to become a process improvement engineer?
What degree do you need to be a process improvement engineer?
- Bachelor's, 69%
- Master's, 17%
- Associate, 9%
- High School Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a process improvement engineer?
- Business, 19%
- Chemical Engineering, 10%
- Other Majors, 42%
Most common colleges for process improvement engineers
| Process improvement engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Purdue University | 8.28% |
| University of Phoenix | 7.95% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 7.28% |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 7.28% |
| Texas A&M University | 7.28% |
Best majors for process improvement engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 19.4% |
| 2 | Industrial Engineering | 16.8% |
| 3 | Mechanical Engineering | 12.2% |
| 4 | Chemical Engineering | 9.7% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering | 4.8% |
Best colleges for process improvement engineers
The best colleges for process improvement engineers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
A process improvement 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 improvement 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 improvement engineers.
1. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
6. Clemson University
Clemson, SC • Private
In-state tuition
$15,374
Enrollment
19,564
7. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,530
Enrollment
4,571
8. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
9. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
10. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
20 best online courses for process improvement engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Data-Driven Process Improvement
By the end of this course, learners are empowered to implement data-driven process improvement objectives at their organization. The course covers: the business case for IoT (Internet of Things), the strategic importance of aligning operations and performance goals, best practices for collecting data, and facilitating a process mapping activity to visualize and analyze a process’s flow of materials and information. Learners are prepared to focus efforts around business needs, evaluate what the...
2. 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...
3. Process Improvement
#1 Process Improvement course: The step by step guide on how to deliver effective and lasting process improvements...
4. Leadership, Business Process Improvement, & Process Mapping!
Learn the leadership, communication, and process mapping skills to accelerate your career!...
5. Value-Based Care: Managing Processes to Improve Outcomes
COURSE 3 of 7. This course is designed to introduce you to critical office-based processes that a value-based practice must manage in the drive towards improved patient outcomes. In Module 2, we’ll focus on office-based and clinical patient-based supporting functions. At every level in healthcare, guidelines, processes, and functions exist to improve outcomes, and following a consistent process will return the best effect. Refine your understanding of value and learn strategies to provide real...
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. Introduction to Business Process Modeling
Learn how to analyze, model, and improve your organization's business processes...
9. Certified Process Mapping / Flowcharts Expert Accredited
Accredited Process Mapping / Process Flowcharts Training And Certification Use Process Mapping For Process Improvement...
10. Statistical Process Control (SPC) Using Microsoft Excel
A Deep Dive into Analyzing your Process Data to Drive Quality Improvements within your Organization...
11. Continuous Improvement Tools
Essential Lean Tools and Techniques for Business Process Improvement, Operational Excellence, and Customer Satisfaction...
12. Lean BPM - Lean Business Process Management Change Skills
Lean BPM - learn how to use lean business management techniques to reduce waste and improve your business efficiency...
13. The Complete Business Process Management (BPM) Master Class
12000+ enrollments Learn the Business Process Management methods used by the world's most successful organizations...
14. 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...
15. Process Flowcharts & Process Mapping - The Advanced Guide
Enhance your process flowchart knowledge advanced symbols, concepts, and best practices! - ECBA/CCBA/CBAP endorsed...
16. Process Capability Analysis
A Powerful Tool Set for Understanding your Manufacturing Process Relative to Your Customers' Quality Expectations...
17. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems
Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...
18. Complete neural signal processing and analysis: Zero to hero
Learn signal processing and statistics using brain electrical data with expert instruction and code challenges in MATLAB...
19. Process Optimization for Management Consultants & Analysts
A practical guide on how to optimize processes in practice and improve efficiently things...
20. BPMN Process Analysis using Microsoft Visio Professional
Business Analyst Guide to Business Process Modelling with BPMN and Microsoft Visio Professional...
Top 10 most affordable universities for process improvement engineers
The most affordable schools for process improvement engineers are United States Merchant Marine Academy, california state university - long beach, and suny farmingdale.
If the best universities for process improvement 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 improvement 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. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
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 improvement engineers
The hardest universities for process improvement engineers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for process improvement 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 improvement 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
9. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,380
10. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for process improvement engineers
The easiest schools for process improvement engineers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and university of the incarnate word.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a process improvement 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 improvement engineers.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
4. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
5. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
6. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
7. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
8. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)
Lemont Furnace, PA • Private
Admissions rate
80%
SAT average
1,067
9. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
10. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
Average process improvement engineer salary by education level
| Process improvement engineer education level | Process improvement engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $95,591 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $85,402 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $72,145 |
Process improvement engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025