Senior controls engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior controls engineer. Senior controls engineers usually study electrical engineering, business, or accounting. 66% of senior controls engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,894 real senior controls engineer resumes to see exactly what senior controls engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for senior controls engineers are the Purdue University and the Purdue University.

There are also many online senior controls engineer courses to help get the education required to be a senior controls engineer.

There are certain senior controls engineer certifications that you should consider. These senior controls engineer certifications include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Engineer In Training Certification (EIT).

What education do you need to become a senior controls engineer?

What degree do you need to be a senior controls engineer?

The most common degree for senior controls engineers is bachelor's degree, with 66% of senior controls engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 15% and master's degree degree at 13%.

Bachelor's, 66%

Master's, 15%

Associate, 13%

High School Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a senior controls engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a senior controls engineer. 30% of senior controls engineers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a senior controls engineer include business and accounting.

Electrical Engineering, 30%

Business, 15%

Accounting, 14%

Mechanical Engineering, 7%

Other Majors, 34%

Most common colleges for senior controls engineers

Senior controls engineers often get their degrees at Purdue University, University of Phoenix, and Michigan Technological University. Here are the most common colleges for senior controls engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Senior controls engineer common college	Percentages
Purdue University	13.79%
University of Phoenix	11.49%
Michigan Technological University	5.75%
Georgia Institute of Technology	5.17%
Auburn University Main Campus	5.17%

Show more common senior controls engineer colleges

Best majors for senior controls engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	29.7%
2	Business	14.8%
3	Accounting	14.1%
4	Mechanical Engineering	6.6%
5	Electrical Engineering Technology	6.0%

Show more common senior controls engineer majors

Best colleges for senior controls engineers

The best colleges for senior controls engineers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

A senior controls 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 senior controls 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 senior controls engineers.

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. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

5. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Enrollment

2,120

6. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

8. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

10. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

20 best online courses for senior controls engineers

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2. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control

4.2

(791)

Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...

3. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design

4.2

(338)

Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...

4. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)

4.6

(292)

Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...

5. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide

4.4

(798)

Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...

6. Applied Control Systems 1: autonomous cars: Math + PID + MPC

4.6

(1,142)

Modeling + state space systems + PID + Model Predictive Control + Python simulation: lateral control for autonomous cars...

7. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls

4.5

(645)

Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...

8. Model, Simulate and Control a Drone in MATLAB & SIMULINK

4.3

(603)

Simulate a DJI Mavic Pro in Matlab & SIMULINK and design your own PID controllers for altitude and attitude control...

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This course is a great introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers Theory, Principles, and Programming Applications...

11. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring

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Complete practical Training on Wonderware In Touch SCADA With Industry Based Examples In Touch SCADA A-Z...

14. SAP Controlling

4.4

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SAP Controlling...

15. SAP Finance and Controlling

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Master SAP Finance and Controlling...

16. Project Schedule: Monitor & Control Specialist (Accredited)

4.6

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17. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2

4.7

(718)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

18. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS

4.5

(783)

Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...

19. PID Control with Arduino

4.4

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Learn to implement the widely used industrial controller on the Arduino platform! (For students, makers, and engineers)...

20. Git Github Gitkraken: Version Control without Command Line

4.9

(328)

Learn Version Control using one of the most intuitive graphical user interface for Git. Just Point and Click...

Top 10 most affordable universities for senior controls engineers

The most affordable schools for senior controls engineers are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - long beach, and university of florida.

If the best universities for senior controls 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 senior controls engineers.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

5. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

9. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior controls engineers

The hardest universities for senior controls engineers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for senior controls 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 senior controls 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

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

9. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

10. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior controls engineers

The easiest schools for senior controls engineers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and oregon institute of technology.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior controls 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 senior controls engineers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

6. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

7. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

8. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

9. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

10. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

Average senior controls engineer salary by education level

According to our data, senior controls engineers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $127,341 annually. Senior controls engineers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $116,492.

Senior controls engineer education level	Senior controls engineer salary
Master's Degree	$116,492
Bachelor's Degree	$105,000
Doctorate Degree	$127,341

Senior controls engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Senior Controls Engineers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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