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Senior research and development technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a senior research and development technician. Senior research and development technicians usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or chemistry. 44% of senior research and development technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 38% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 773 real senior research and development technician resumes to see exactly what senior research and development technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for senior research and development technicians are the San Jose State University and the San Jose State University.
There are also many online senior research and development technician courses to help get the education required to be a senior research and development technician.
What education do you need to become a senior research and development technician?
What degree do you need to be a senior research and development technician?
- Bachelor's, 44%
- Associate, 38%
- Master's, 8%
- High School Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a senior research and development technician?
Most common colleges for senior research and development technicians
| Senior research and development technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| San Jose State University | 11.48% |
| North Dakota State University | 8.20% |
| University of Phoenix | 8.20% |
| West Virginia University | 6.56% |
| University of Cincinnati | 6.56% |
Best majors for senior research and development technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 23.5% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 15.4% |
| 3 | Chemistry | 11.6% |
| 4 | Business | 7.1% |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineering | 6.4% |
Best colleges for senior research and development technicians
The best colleges for senior research and development technicians are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
A senior research and development technician 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 research and development technicians. 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 research and development technicians.
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. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
4. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
5. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,785
Enrollment
7,711
6. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
7. Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$40,749
Enrollment
2,582
8. Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$11,870
Enrollment
53,194
9. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,926
Enrollment
9,835
10. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$19,080
Enrollment
19,127
20 best online courses for senior research and development technicians
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Top 10 most affordable universities for senior research and development technicians
The most affordable schools for senior research and development technicians are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.
If the best universities for senior research and development technicians 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 research and development technicians.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
6. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley, WV • Private
In-state tuition
$7,464
Cost of attendance
17,166
9. National University College - Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$6,675
Cost of attendance
12,941
10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior research and development technicians
The hardest universities for senior research and development technicians to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for senior research and development technicians 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 research and development technicians 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. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
5. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
8. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
9. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
10. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior research and development technicians
The easiest schools for senior research and development technicians to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior research and development technician 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 research and development technicians.
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. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
Altoona, PA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,094
4. Pennsylvania State University - Berks
Reading, PA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,107
5. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
6. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,068
7. Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
957
8. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
9. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
10. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
Average senior research and development technician salary by education level
| Senior research and development technician education level | Senior research and development technician salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $102,639 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $103,826 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $104,362 |
Senior research and development technician education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025