Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Robotics systems engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a robotics systems engineer. Robotics systems engineers usually study mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or mechatronics and robotics. 73% of robotics systems engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 49 real robotics systems engineer resumes to see exactly what robotics systems engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for robotics systems engineers are the Carnegie Mellon University and the Carnegie Mellon University.
There are also many online robotics systems engineer courses to help get the education required to be a robotics systems engineer.
What education do you need to become a robotics systems engineer?
What degree do you need to be a robotics systems engineer?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- Master's, 16%
- Associate, 11%
What should I major in to become a robotics systems engineer?
- Other Majors, 44%
Most common colleges for robotics systems engineers
| Robotics systems engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | 9.09% |
| Northeastern Illinois University | 9.09% |
| Western Washington University | 4.55% |
| University of Houston | 4.55% |
| Indiana University Bloomington | 4.55% |
Best majors for robotics systems engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechanical Engineering | 20.0% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 17.8% |
| 3 | Mechatronics And Robotics | 8.9% |
| 4 | Aerospace Engineering | 8.9% |
| 5 | Physics | 8.9% |
Best colleges for robotics systems engineers
The best colleges for robotics systems engineers are California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A robotics 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 robotics 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 robotics systems engineers.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
2. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
10. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
20 best online courses for robotics systems engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Modelling and simulation of mechanical systems
The course provides the principles of modelling and simulation of modern mechatronic systems, which are mechanical systems integrated with several types of sensors and actuators. The aim of the course is to show different methodologies to improve the potential of mechanical systems by transforming them into mechatronic systems based on virtual models. In particular, the lessons will be focused on case studies in three engineering fields: robotics, controlled electro-hydraulic actuators and...
2. Robotics: Computational Motion Planning
Robotic systems typically include three components: a mechanism which is capable of exerting forces and torques on the environment, a perception system for sensing the world and a decision and control system which modulates the robot's behavior to achieve the desired ends. In this course we will consider the problem of how a robot decides what to do to achieve its goals. This problem is often referred to as Motion Planning and it has been formulated in various ways to model different situations...
3. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control
Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...
4. Hands-On Robotics with Arduino, Build 13 robot projects
Using Arduino build a Voice control robot, Black line follower, Light follower/repeller robot, Smartphone control robot...
5. Modern Robotics, Course 1: Foundations of Robot Motion
Do you want to know how robots work? Are you interested in robotics as a career? Are you willing to invest the effort to learn fundamental mathematical modeling techniques that are used in all subfields of robotics? If so, then the "Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control" specialization may be for you. This specialization, consisting of six short courses, is serious preparation for serious students who hope to work in the field of robotics or to undertake advanced study. It is not a...
6. Modern Robotics, Course 2: Robot Kinematics
Do you want to know how robots work? Are you interested in robotics as a career? Are you willing to invest the effort to learn fundamental mathematical modeling techniques that are used in all subfields of robotics? If so, then the "Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control" specialization may be for you. This specialization, consisting of six short courses, is serious preparation for serious students who hope to work in the field of robotics or to undertake advanced study. It is not a...
7. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC
Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...
8. ROS2 Robotics Developer Course - Using ROS2 In Python
Gain expertise in the latest version of the Robot Operating System (ROS 2) in Python to program your own robots...
9. Robotic Mapping and Trajectory Generation
In this second course of the Introduction to Robotics specialization, "Robotic Mapping and Trajectory Generation", you will learn how to perform basic inverse kinematics of (non-)holonomic systems using a feedback control approach. You will also learn how to process multi-dimensional sensor signals such as laser range scanners for mapping. Additionally, you will apply the overarching focus of mechanisms and sensors as sources of uncertainty and gain techniques to how to model and control them...
10. Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control
This Specialization provides a rigorous treatment of spatial motion and the dynamics of rigid bodies, employing representations from modern screw theory and the product of exponentials formula. Students with a freshman-level engineering background will quickly learn to apply these tools to analysis, planning, and control of robot motion. Students' understanding of the mathematics of robotics will be solidified by writing robotics software. Students will test their software on a free...
11. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...
12. Product Development & Systems Engineering
The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...
13. Introduction to Systems Engineering
Introduction to Systems Engineering introduces you to the holistic and interdisciplinary systems engineering approach to designing, realizing, and managing complex systems. In this three-course specialization, you will learn how to evolve a project from idea to fielded hardware customized to meet customer requirements while effectively managing costs, timescales, and limiting risks. You will identify and define a system and its components, model a system life cycle, and apply systems...
14. BMS - Building management system
BMS, building management system & building automation systems study , design and calculations...
15. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )
A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...
16. Robotic Drives & Physics: Robotics, learn by building III
With over 45,000 enrolled in the first two courses, and over a 4.6 star rating!...
17. Electricity & electronics - Robotics, learn by building
Over 31,000 enrolled! Open career opportunities and have fun learning electronics focused on building robots/automation!...
18. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)
Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...
19. Learn Robot Studio
Industrial Robot Jogging & Programming using Virtual Teach Pendant...
20. Robot Framework Test Automation - Saucelabs Integration
Run Robot Framework tests in the cloud on different OS, browser, or mobile device combinations!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for robotics systems engineers
The most affordable schools for robotics systems engineers are California State University - Long Beach, university of florida, and california state university - los angeles.
If the best universities for robotics 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 robotics systems engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
7. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
8. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
9. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for robotics systems engineers
The hardest universities for robotics systems engineers to get into are California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for robotics 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 robotics 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. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
5. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,545
7. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
9. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
10. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for robotics systems engineers
The easiest schools for robotics systems engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and texas a&m; university - kingsville.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a robotics 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 robotics systems engineers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
3. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
4. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
5. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
6. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
7. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
8. The Citadel
Charleston, SC • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,129
9. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
10. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
Average robotics systems engineer salary by education level
| Robotics systems engineer education level | Robotics systems engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $115,967 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $104,708 |
| Doctorate Degree | $126,639 |
Robotics systems engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
Search for robotics systems engineer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025