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Reliability engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a reliability engineer. Reliability engineers usually study mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or business. 76% of reliability engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 3,370 real reliability engineer resumes to see exactly what reliability engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for reliability engineers are the Purdue University and the Purdue University.
There are also many online reliability engineer courses to help get the education required to be a reliability engineer.
There are certain reliability engineer certifications that you should consider. These reliability engineer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and Six Sigma Green Belt.
What education do you need to become a reliability engineer?
What degree do you need to be a reliability engineer?
- Bachelor's, 76%
- Master's, 13%
- Associate, 8%
- Doctorate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a reliability engineer?
- Business, 5%
- Engineering, 4%
- Other Majors, 29%
Most common colleges for reliability engineers
| Reliability engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Purdue University | 9.43% |
| Texas A&M University | 9.20% |
| Drexel University | 6.21% |
| Michigan Technological University | 5.75% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 5.52% |
Best majors for reliability engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechanical Engineering | 38.5% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 23.0% |
| 3 | Business | 4.8% |
| 4 | Engineering | 3.8% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 3.4% |
Best colleges for reliability engineers
The best colleges for reliability engineers are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Cornell University.
A reliability 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 reliability 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 reliability 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. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
6. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
8. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
10. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
20 best online courses for reliability engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Site Reliability Engineering: Measuring and Managing Reliability
Service level indicators (SLIs) and service level objectives (SLOs) are fundamental tools for measuring and managing reliability. In this course, students learn approaches for devising appropriate SLIs and SLOs and managing reliability through the use of an error budget...
2. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - A mechanical engineering approach to risk management of plant and machinery...
3. Introduction to Reliability, Maintainability & Availability
A solid foundation for Project Managers & Systems Engineers...
4. Design Failure Mode Effect Analysis - Concepts & Practice
Learn about the fundamentals of preparing DFMEA for Mechanical design engineers...
5. Reliability Engineering Statistics
The Foundation in Probability and Statistics You Need to Understand Reliability Engineering...
6. Risk Management: Master FMEA/FMECA & Criticality from A to Z
Become an expert in Risk Analysis and Management by applying the most widely used and accepted methodology: FMEA/FMECA...
7. An Introduction to Reliability Engineering
A Study of Why Things Fail and How to Measure and Improve their Useful Life...
8. Root Cause Analysis and the 8D Corrective Action Process
A Comprehensive Approach to Problem Solving: Analysis, Containment, and Permanent Corrective Action...
9. Technical Analysis: Trading Smart With Technical Analysis
Master Real-World Technical Analysis: Revolutionize Your Trading Game & Profit In Stocks, Forex & Crypto!...
10. FMEA Training FMEA Specialist Certification (Accredited)
What is FMEA? FMEA Definition FMEA Significance FMEA Stages PFMEA FMEA Steps FMEA Format RPN Earn PDUs...
11. Master Technical Analysis and Chart reading skills Bundle
Master Technical analysis, Volume analysis, Tracking Big Players and become a Chart analysis expert...
12. Data Analysis Excel for Beginners: Statistical Data Analysis
Data Analysis with Excel 2013 for Beginners. Business Data Analysis. Statistical Data Analysis with Case Studies...
13. Technical Analysis - Price Action Masterclass
Structured Way in using Price Action for Day Trading & Swing Trading that can be used in Forex, Stocks & Crypto Market...
14. RCA: Root cause analysis
#1 Root Cause Analysis course: The step by step guide to delivering highly effective and lasting root cause anlaysis...
15. Data Analysis Essentials Using Excel
Learn to apply the important concepts and techniques of data analysis using Excel...
16. Technical Analysis MasterClass:Trading By Technical Analysis
Stock Market Technical Analysis Secrets for Forex , Stock Trading , Options , Swing Trading & Day Trading + ASSIGNMENTS...
17. Technical Analysis: Profitable Stock Trading Setups (2023)
Technical Analysis: Mastering Volume Analysis & Profitable Stock Trading Patterns For Superior Financial Trading Results...
18. Risk Management using Failure Modes Effects Analysis (Ed-2)
Conduct Detailed Risk Assessments Build Failproof Processes using FMEA Manufacturing Banking Info Security...
19. Statistics / Data Analysis: Survey Data and Likert Scales
How to Process Survey Data and Analyze Likert Scales In SPSS...
20. Applied Statistical Modeling for Data Analysis in R
Your Complete Guide to Statistical Data Analysis and Visualization For Practical Applications in R...
Top 10 most affordable universities for reliability engineers
The most affordable schools for reliability engineers are United States Merchant Marine Academy, california state university - long beach, and university of puerto rico - mayaguez.
If the best universities for reliability 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 reliability 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. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
5. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
6. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
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 reliability engineers
The hardest universities for reliability engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Cornell University.
Some great schools for reliability 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 reliability 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. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
4. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
5. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
7. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for reliability engineers
The easiest schools for reliability engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, the university of texas at el paso, and saint cloud state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a reliability 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 reliability engineers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
3. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
4. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
5. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
6. Portland State University
Portland, OR • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,111
7. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
8. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
9. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
10. The Citadel
Charleston, SC • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,129
Average reliability engineer salary by education level
| Reliability engineer education level | Reliability engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $124,365 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $109,725 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $90,968 |
Reliability engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025