Propulsion systems engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a propulsion systems engineer. Propulsion systems engineers usually study aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or business. 75% of propulsion systems engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 81 real propulsion systems engineer resumes to see exactly what propulsion systems engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for propulsion systems engineers are the Purdue University and the Purdue University.

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

What education do you need to become a propulsion systems engineer?

What degree do you need to be a propulsion systems engineer?

The most common degree for propulsion systems engineers is bachelor's degree, with 75% of propulsion systems engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 15% and master's degree degree at 10%.

Bachelor's, 75%

Master's, 15%

Associate, 10%

What should I major in to become a propulsion systems engineer?

You should major in aerospace engineering to become a propulsion systems engineer. 32% of propulsion systems engineers major in aerospace engineering. Other common majors for a propulsion systems engineer include mechanical engineering and business.

Aerospace Engineering, 32%

Mechanical Engineering, 21%

Business, 8%

Engineering, 8%

Other Majors, 31%

Most common colleges for propulsion systems engineers

Propulsion systems engineers often get their degrees at Purdue University, University of Washington, and Florida Institute of Technology. Here are the most common colleges for propulsion systems engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Propulsion systems engineer common college	Percentages
Purdue University	9.38%
University of Washington	9.38%
Florida Institute of Technology	6.25%
University of Florida	6.25%
Arizona State University	6.25%

Show more common propulsion systems engineer colleges

Best majors for propulsion systems engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Aerospace Engineering	32.0%
2	Mechanical Engineering	21.3%
3	Business	8.0%
4	Engineering	8.0%
5	Aviation	5.3%

Show more common propulsion systems engineer majors

Best colleges for propulsion systems engineers

The best colleges for propulsion systems engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.

A propulsion systems 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 propulsion systems 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 propulsion systems engineers.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

3. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

4. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

8. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

9. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$53,880

Enrollment

6,590

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

20 best online courses for propulsion systems engineers

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Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...

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Have the knowledge of a rocket scientist and learn how to deal with complex equations critical to rocket propulsion!...

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20. Automotive Engineering: Automobile Fundamentals and Advanced

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Top 10 most affordable universities for propulsion systems engineers

The most affordable schools for propulsion systems engineers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for propulsion systems 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 propulsion systems 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. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

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 propulsion systems engineers

The hardest universities for propulsion systems engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for propulsion systems 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 propulsion systems 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

5. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,566

6. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

9. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,465

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 propulsion systems engineers

The easiest schools for propulsion systems engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, oklahoma wesleyan university, and notre dame de namur university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a propulsion systems 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 propulsion systems engineers.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

4. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

5. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

6. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

7. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

8. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

9. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

10. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

Average propulsion systems engineer salary by education level

Propulsion systems engineers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $112,399 annually. With a Master's degree, propulsion systems engineers earn a median annual income of $107,676 compared to $99,835 for propulsion systems engineers with an Bachelor's degree.

Propulsion systems engineer education level	Propulsion systems engineer salary
Master's Degree	$107,676
Bachelor's Degree	$99,835
Doctorate Degree	$112,399

Propulsion systems engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Propulsion Systems 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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