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Semiconductor engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a semiconductor engineer. Semiconductor engineers usually study electrical engineering, physics, or electrical engineering technology. 77% of semiconductor engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 66 real semiconductor engineer resumes to see exactly what semiconductor engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for semiconductor engineers are the University of California - Davis and the University of California - Davis.
There are also many online semiconductor engineer courses to help get the education required to be a semiconductor engineer.
What education do you need to become a semiconductor engineer?
What degree do you need to be a semiconductor engineer?
- Bachelor's, 77%
- Master's, 11%
- Doctorate, 5%
- Associate, 5%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a semiconductor engineer?
- Physics, 9%
- Other Majors, 47%
Most common colleges for semiconductor engineers
| Semiconductor engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of California - Davis | 8.70% |
| Texas State University | 8.70% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 8.70% |
| Alfred University | 4.35% |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 4.35% |
Best majors for semiconductor engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 25.9% |
| 2 | Physics | 9.3% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 9.3% |
| 4 | Computer Engineering | 9.3% |
| 5 | Materials Science And Engineering | 7.4% |
Best colleges for semiconductor engineers
The best colleges for semiconductor engineers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University.
A semiconductor 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 semiconductor 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 semiconductor engineers.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
8. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
9. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
10. New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ • Private
In-state tuition
$17,338
Enrollment
7,820
20 best online courses for semiconductor engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Introduction to Semiconductor Devices 2
This course aims to provide a general understanding of semiconductor devices. This coures covers the Metal-Semiconductor Contact, Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (MOS) capapcitor, Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors(MOSFETs), CMOS, Metal-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors(MESFETs), Memory and Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) to improve the overall knowledge of semiconductor industry. The lecture notes can be downloaded with registration, that helps students watch the videos. It is...
2. Semiconductor Packaging Manufacturing
This course will provide information on the various stages of semiconductor package manufacturing, including sort, assembly, and final test. In addition, we will also describe how to select, build, and test the packages with the die and other components to ensure the quality of the package and total assembly performance. We will also discuss the role of Process Control Systems in semiconductor manufacturing as they relate to quality testing. Specifically, we will explore how Process Control...
3. Automotive Engineering: Automobile Fundamentals and Advanced
Automotive & Vehicle Engineering: Master the Mechanics of Cars including Engine, Dynamics, Transmission, Chassis & More...
4. Data Science:Data Mining & Natural Language Processing in R
Harness the Power of Machine Learning in R for Data/Text Mining, & Natural Language Processing with Practical Examples...
5. Semiconductor Devices
The courses in this specialization can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5630-5632, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Enroll here.\n\nThis Semiconductor Devices specialization is designed to be a deep dive into the fundamentals of the electronic devices that form the backbone of our current integrated circuits technology. You will gain valuable experience in semiconductor physics, pn junctions, metal-semiconductor contacts, bipolar junction...
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. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)
Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...
8. Applied Statistical Modeling for Data Analysis in R
Your Complete Guide to Statistical Data Analysis and Visualization For Practical Applications in R...
9. Introduction to Automotive engineering - Performance
Learn the Basics of Vehicle Performance and take your Automotive knowledge to next level...
10. Design Failure Mode Effect Analysis - Concepts & Practice
Learn about the fundamentals of preparing DFMEA for Mechanical design engineers...
11. Reverse Engineering and Malware Analysis Fundamentals
Beginners' course on reverse engineering and malware analysis...
12. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - A mechanical engineering approach to risk management of plant and machinery...
13. Process/Chemical Engineering - BOOTCAMP 2021
The only course with over 10 hours practical knowledge about main process equipment Design, Control and Safety...
14. Introduction to Automotive Product Design & development
Learn about the process, milestones and activities from idea to complete design of cars for Automotive engineers...
15. Root Cause Analysis and the 8D Corrective Action Process
A Comprehensive Approach to Problem Solving: Analysis, Containment, and Permanent Corrective Action...
16. Internal Combustion Engine Basics (Mechanical Engineering)
Learn how internal combustion engines work! Learn all of a combustion engine's main components and how they work!...
17. Process Capability Analysis
A Powerful Tool Set for Understanding your Manufacturing Process Relative to Your Customers' Quality Expectations...
18. Complete Google Earth Engine for Remote Sensing & GIS
Harness the Power of Google Earth Engine for GIS Spatial Data Analysis & Remote Sensing...
19. Power Engineering: Power System Analysis - Part 1
Start your career in electrical engineering and power engineering by learning the fundamentals of power system analysis...
20. Statistics for Data Analysis Using R
Learn Programming in R & R Studio • Descriptive, Inferential Statistics • Plots for Data Visualization • Data Science...
Top 10 most affordable universities for semiconductor engineers
The most affordable schools for semiconductor engineers are United States Merchant Marine Academy, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for semiconductor 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 semiconductor engineers.
1. United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$1,080
Cost of attendance
6,646
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
5. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
8. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
9. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
10. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for semiconductor engineers
The hardest universities for semiconductor engineers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for semiconductor 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 semiconductor 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
8. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,545
10. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for semiconductor engineers
The easiest schools for semiconductor engineers to get into are The University of Texas at El Paso, texas a&m; university - kingsville, and capitol technology university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a semiconductor 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 semiconductor engineers.
1. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
2. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
3. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
4. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
5. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
6. Portland State University
Portland, OR • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,111
7. Washington State University
Pullman, WA • Private
Admissions rate
77%
SAT average
1,123
8. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
9. The Citadel
Charleston, SC • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,129
10. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
Average semiconductor engineer salary by education level
| Semiconductor engineer education level | Semiconductor engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $114,970 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $100,938 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $83,070 |
Semiconductor engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025