Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Remote sensing engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a remote sensing engineer. Remote sensing engineers usually study electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer engineering. 57% of remote sensing engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 48 real remote sensing engineer resumes to see exactly what remote sensing engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for remote sensing engineers are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online remote sensing engineer courses to help get the education required to be a remote sensing engineer.
What education do you need to become a remote sensing engineer?
What degree do you need to be a remote sensing engineer?
- Bachelor's, 57%
- Master's, 22%
- Associate, 11%
- Doctorate, 5%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a remote sensing engineer?
- Geography, 5%
- Other Majors, 44%
Most common colleges for remote sensing engineers
| Remote sensing engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 9.52% |
| University of Dayton | 4.76% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 4.76% |
| University of Florida | 4.76% |
| National University | 4.76% |
Best majors for remote sensing engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 28.2% |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering | 17.9% |
| 3 | Computer Engineering | 5.1% |
| 4 | Geography | 5.1% |
| 5 | Engineering | 5.1% |
Best colleges for remote sensing engineers
The best colleges for remote sensing engineers are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
A remote sensing 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 remote sensing 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 remote sensing 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. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
4. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
5. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
7. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,555
Enrollment
30,360
8. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
10. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
20 best online courses for remote sensing engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Remote Sensing Image Acquisition, Analysis and Applications
Welcome to Remote Sensing Image Acquisition, Analysis and Applications, in which we explore the nature of imaging the earth's surface from space or from airborne vehicles. This course covers the fundamental nature of remote sensing and the platforms and sensor types used. It also provides an in-depth treatment of the computational algorithms employed in image understanding, ranging from the earliest historically important techniques to more recent approaches based on deep learning. It assumes...
2. Sensor Manufacturing and Process Control
"Sensor Manufacturing and Process Control" can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5343, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. This is our fourth course in our specialization on Embedding Sensor and Motors. To get the most out of this course, you should first take our first course entitled "Sensors and Sensor Circuits", our second course entitled "Motor and Motor Control Circuits", and our third course entitled "Pressure, Force, Motion, and Humidity...
3. Complete Google Earth Engine for Remote Sensing & GIS
Harness the Power of Google Earth Engine for GIS Spatial Data Analysis & Remote Sensing...
4. The Google Earth Engine Mega Course: Remote Sensing & GIS
Become a Google Earth Engine expert just in one course. Remote Sensing, GIS, Java Script, Machine Learning...
5. Digital Signal Processing
This Specialization provides a full course in Digital Signal Processing, with a focus on audio processing and data transmission. You will start from the basic concepts of discrete-time signals and proceed to learn how to analyze data via the Fourier transform, how to manipulate data via digital filters and how to convert analog signals into digital format. Finally, you will also discover how to implement real-time DSP algorithms on a general-purpose microcontroller. The solid theoretical bases...
6. 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...
7. Geospatial Analyses & Remote Sensing: from Beginner to Pro
Learn Remote Sensing, QGIS & GIS , main concepts, machine learning, QGIS classification, change detection, Earth Engine...
8. Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis
Become proficient in satellite remote sensing, spatial analysis principles, methods, applications, sensors, and GIS!...
9. Satellite Remote Sensing Data Bootcamp With Opensource Tools
Pre-process and Analyze Satellite Remote Sensing Data With Free Software...
10. Machine Learning in GIS and Remote Sensing: 5 Courses in 1
Understand & apply machine learning and deep learning for geospatial tasks (GIS and Remote Sensing) in QGIS and Arc GIS...
11. Complete Remote Sensing Image Analysis with ENVI Software
Learn basic to advanced remote sensing image processing, spatial analysis, and GIS techniques using ENVI software...
12. Google Earth Engine for Machine Learning & Change Detection
Become Expert in Spatial analysis & Remote Sensing for machine learning in land use / land cover in Google Earth Engine...
13. 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...
14. Signal processing problems, solved in MATLAB and in Python
Applications-oriented instruction on signal processing and digital signal processing (DSP) using MATLAB and Python codes...
15. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) From Ground Up™ in Python
Practical DSP in Python : Over 70 examples, FFT,Filter Design, IIR,FIR, Window Filters,Convolution,Linear Systems etc...
16. DSP From Ground Up™ on ARM Processors [UPDATED]
Digital Signal Processing on ARM : DFT, Filter Design, Convolution, IIR, FIR, CMSIS-DSP, Linear Systems...
17. Automotive Radar
FMCW Radar, Signal Processing, Applications in ADAS and Autonomous Driving...
18. Process/Chemical Engineering - BOOTCAMP 2021
The only course with over 10 hours practical knowledge about main process equipment Design, Control and Safety...
19. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) From Ground Up™ in C
Practical DSP in C : FFT, Filter Design, Convolution, IIR, FIR, Hamming Window, Linear Systems, Chebyshev filters etc...
20. Qlik Sense for Data Science and BI
Learn Qlik Sense step-by-step with Real World Challenges - Learn by Doing!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for remote sensing engineers
The most affordable schools for remote sensing engineers are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - los angeles, and university of florida.
If the best universities for remote sensing 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 remote sensing engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
5. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
6. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
7. 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
8. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
9. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
10. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for remote sensing engineers
The hardest universities for remote sensing engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for remote sensing 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 remote sensing 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. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
4. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
5. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for remote sensing engineers
The easiest schools for remote sensing engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, old dominion university, and texas a&m; university - kingsville.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a remote sensing 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 remote sensing engineers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
3. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
4. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois
DuBois, PA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,079
5. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
6. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
7. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
8. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
Altoona, PA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,094
9. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,068
10. Portland State University
Portland, OR • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,111
Average remote sensing engineer salary by education level
| Remote sensing engineer education level | Remote sensing engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $90,044 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $86,003 |
| Doctorate Degree | $100,672 |
Remote sensing engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.
Search for remote sensing engineer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025