Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Rail signal mechanic education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a rail signal mechanic. Rail signal mechanics usually study electrical/electronics maintenance and repair technology, international business, or business. 44% of rail signal mechanics hold a associate degree, and 22% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 25 real rail signal mechanic resumes to see exactly what rail signal mechanic education sections show.
The most common colleges for rail signal mechanics are the Willamette University and the Willamette University.
There are also many online rail signal mechanic courses to help get the education required to be a rail signal mechanic.
What education do you need to become a rail signal mechanic?
What degree do you need to be a rail signal mechanic?
- Associate, 44%
- High School Diploma, 22%
- Bachelor's, 11%
- Other Degrees, 23%
What should I major in to become a rail signal mechanic?
- Business, 14%
- Other Majors, 29%
Most common colleges for rail signal mechanics
| Rail signal mechanic common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Willamette University | 25.00% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 25.00% |
| University of Maryland - Baltimore County | 25.00% |
| University of Phoenix | 25.00% |
Best majors for rail signal mechanics
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical/Electronics Maintenance And Repair Technology | 28.6% |
| 2 | International Business | 14.3% |
| 3 | Business | 14.3% |
| 4 | Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | 14.3% |
| 5 | General Studies | 14.3% |
Best colleges for rail signal mechanics
The best colleges for rail signal mechanics are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St Louis.
A rail signal mechanic with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for rail signal mechanics. 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 rail signal mechanics.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$6,686
Enrollment
11,139
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
6. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,382
Enrollment
5,597
7. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
10. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
20 best online courses for rail signal mechanics
Advertising disclosure
1. Professional Ruby on Rails Developer with Rails 5
Ruby on Rails - Imagine, design, build web apps and bring your dreams to life with Rails 5...
2. Professional Rails Code Along
Develop a real world Rails project using TDD/BDD, including a step by step guide to building professional applications...
3. Learn Ruby on Rails from Scratch
A complete guide to master Ruby and Rails framework...
4. Ruby on Rails Foundations
An in depth tutorial for learning the Ruby on Rails web framework, from basic principles to advanced coding techniques...
5. Ruby and Ruby on Rails Starter
Learn Ruby and Ruby on Rails 5 - the perfect starter course...
6. The Complete Ruby on Rails Developer Course
Learn to make innovative web apps with Ruby on Rails and unleash your creativity...
7. Basics of GraphQL with Ruby on Rails
Learn to use Graph QL in a Rails app to talk to your front-end clients. Updated in 2022!...
8. React JS + Angular + Rails 5 Bootcamp
Learn how to build a real world React JS and Angular apps that utilize Ruby on Rails for a backend API...
9. Dissecting Ruby on Rails 5 - Become a Professional Developer
Don't simply follow a tutorial, learn what it really takes to become a pro Rails developer with this immersive course...
10. Ruby on Rails: Learn 25+ gems and build a Startup MVP 2023
Code-Along & build an advanced e-learning platform. Biggest, Most complete Ruby on Rails 6 course. Always updated...
11. High Voltage Electric Vehicle Safety
Electric Vehicle Safety Battery Pack Fire Safety Electric Shock Safety Accidental Safety High Voltage Components...
12. JavaScript and Ruby on Rails with React, Angular, and Vue
Make dynamic web apps with Rails and Java Script, React, Angular, Vue, Yarn, Webpack and Semantic UI as front-end...
13. Ruby On Rails For Web Development
Watch over my shoulder as I build a Pinterest-style website. I'll walk you through it step by step quickly and easily!...
14. One-stop Ruby on Rails: Build Web Applications from Scratch
Master Ruby on Rails, HTML, CSS, APIs, and other web technologies by building Etsy, Yelp, and Craigslist from scratch...
15. Garnett Cross Training in the Maintenance of Oil Hydraulics
This course will prepare you to work with hydraulic systems, plan maintenance and perform troubleshooting...
16. Car Maintenance Anyone Can Do
Learn how to add years of reliable life and service to your car...
17. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC
Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...
18. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
19. Electrical Power Equipment
Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...
20. Electrical Low Voltage System Distribution Design
Design of Power & Lighting Distribution System using Auto CAD, DIALux, & Low Voltage Calculations Using Excel Sheets...
Top 10 most affordable universities for rail signal mechanics
The most affordable schools for rail signal mechanics are Baruch College of the City University of New York, florida international university, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for rail signal mechanics 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 rail signal mechanics.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
4. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
5. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
7. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
8. Brigham Young University - Hawaii
Laie, HI • Private
In-state tuition
$5,560
Cost of attendance
18,043
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for rail signal mechanics
The hardest universities for rail signal mechanics to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St Louis.
Some great schools for rail signal mechanics 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 rail signal mechanics 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. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
4. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,439
9. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
10. Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA • Private
Admissions rate
33%
SAT average
1,353
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for rail signal mechanics
The easiest schools for rail signal mechanics to get into are University of the Incarnate Word, la roche college, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a rail signal mechanic 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 rail signal mechanics.
1. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
2. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
6. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
7. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
8. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
9. American International College
Springfield, MA • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
1,010
10. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
Average rail signal mechanic salary by education level
| Rail signal mechanic education level | Rail signal mechanic salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $64,935 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $69,562 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $73,384 |
Rail signal mechanic education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common installation, maintenance and repair questions.
Search for rail signal mechanic jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025