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Senior optical engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a senior optical engineer. Senior optical engineers usually study physics, electrical engineering, or engineering. 55% of senior optical engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 344 real senior optical engineer resumes to see exactly what senior optical engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for senior optical engineers are the University of Rochester and the University of Rochester.
There are also many online senior optical engineer courses to help get the education required to be a senior optical engineer.
What education do you need to become a senior optical engineer?
What degree do you need to be a senior optical engineer?
- Bachelor's, 55%
- Doctorate, 21%
- Master's, 19%
- Associate, 4%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a senior optical engineer?
- Physics, 49%
- Engineering, 5%
- Other Majors, 20%
Most common colleges for senior optical engineers
| Senior optical engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Rochester | 15.94% |
| University of Arizona | 11.59% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 7.25% |
| University of Dayton | 7.25% |
| University of Colorado at Boulder | 5.80% |
Best majors for senior optical engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physics | 49.1% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 21.8% |
| 3 | Engineering | 4.6% |
| 4 | Mechanical Engineering | 4.2% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 3.2% |
Best colleges for senior optical engineers
The best colleges for senior optical engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
A senior optical 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 optical 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 optical engineers.
1. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
5. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
7. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
8. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
9. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,785
Enrollment
7,711
10. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
20 best online courses for senior optical engineers
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3. Introduction To Fiber Optic Cabling
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This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5602, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Optical instruments are how we see the world, from corrective eyewear to medical endoscopes to cell phone cameras to orbiting telescopes. This course extends what you have learned about first-order, paraxial system design and optical resolution and efficiency with the introduction to real lenses and their imperfections. We begin with a description of how...
6. Waves and Optics
This specialization is for learners who have completed a first-year university-level physics course and wants to continue their study. Through three courses, you will gain a foundation in waves and optics ranging from simple oscillators and waves in strings, to advanced diffraction effects of electromagnetic waves. With an entire semester of lectures and over 100 problems, this comprehensive specialization is similar in detail and rigor to what is taught in on-campus courses. It will thoroughly...
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Complete Beginners Guide on How to Use Zemax/Optic Studio (non-sequential mode)...
11. Computer Vision: Python OCR & Object Detection Quick Starter
Quick Starter for Optical Character Recognition, Image Recognition Object Detection and Object Recognition using Python...
12. Introduction To Telecom Networks: Fixed/Wireless Networks
PSTN, Voice Over IP Systems (Softswitch, IMS), Internet, Mobile/cellular systems, Optical Fiber Systems (OFAN, DWDM)...
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16. Unreal Engine: Character Skill System
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17. CSi SAP2000: Structural Analysis Program for Engineers
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18. Power Engineering: Power System Analysis - Part 1
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20. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking
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Top 10 most affordable universities for senior optical engineers
The most affordable schools for senior optical engineers are California State University - Long Beach, university of florida, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for senior optical 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 optical 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 - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
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. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior optical engineers
The hardest universities for senior optical engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for senior optical 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 optical 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. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
8. Princeton University
Princeton, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,503
9. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
10. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior optical engineers
The easiest schools for senior optical engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and texas a&m; university - corpus christi.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior optical 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 optical 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 - Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,068
4. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
Altoona, PA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,094
5. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
6. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
7. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
8. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
9. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
10. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
Average senior optical engineer salary by education level
| Senior optical engineer education level | Senior optical engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $108,881 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $95,958 |
| Doctorate Degree | $121,338 |
Senior optical engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025