Post job

Senior test specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior test specialist. Senior test specialists usually study business, computer science, or electrical engineering. 56% of senior test specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 340 real senior test specialist resumes to see exactly what senior test specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for senior test specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

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

What education do you need to become a senior test specialist?

What degree do you need to be a senior test specialist?

The most common degree for senior test specialists is bachelor's degree, with 56% of senior test specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 19% and associate degree degree at 17%.
  • Bachelor's, 56%
  • Associate, 19%
  • Master's, 17%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a senior test specialist?

You should major in business to become a senior test specialist. 15% of senior test specialists major in business. Other common majors for a senior test specialist include computer science and electrical engineering.

Most common colleges for senior test specialists

Senior test specialists often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Strayer University, and Rhode Island College. Here are the most common colleges for senior test specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Senior test specialist common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix11.76%
Strayer University8.82%
Rhode Island College8.82%
Southern Nazarene University5.88%
College of Saint Elizabeth5.88%

Best majors for senior test specialists

Best colleges for senior test specialists

The best colleges for senior test specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A senior test specialist 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 test specialists. 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 test specialists.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$13,478

Enrollment

979

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

20 best online courses for senior test specialists

Advertising disclosure

1. Software Engineering Immersive (Full-time)

general_assembly

Meet the global demand for technical problem-solvers by developing your coding skills to create full-stack web applications across multiple frameworks, incorporating functionality from third-party APIs, executing software engineering projects in an Agile development workflow, and more...

2. Intro to Coding

general_assembly

Discover if coding is a career fit for you In this free, two-hour livestream, explore the building blocks of the web — HTML and CSS — and learn how you can apply these programming languages to develop your own simple sites. All in real time, taught by an industry professional. Come learn the basics and gain the skills you need to write your first line of code!...

3. Full Stack Web Developer

udacity

Design and develop modern web applications.Students will also learn how to deploy a Flask-based web application to the cloud using Docker and Kubernetes...

4. Agile Software Development

udacity

Learn best practices for using the Agile methodology to build better products faster and more efficiently...

5. Best Software QA Testing Training H2K Infosys Live Classes

udemy
4.3
(391)

QA Software Testing Training Course live classes only, Live Project, ALM, SQL, UNIX, Resume prep,Interview questions...

6. Business Analyst: Software Testing Processes & Techniques

udemy
4.5
(9,172)

Reduce project bugs with repeatable testing processes. Learn to create test cases, scenarios, track defects, & more!...

7. Full Stack JavaScript Developer

udacity

Meet the growing demand for full stack developers and learn to build rich web experiences using a modern architecture and technology stack...

8. Cloud Developer using Microsoft Azure

udacity

The Developer for Microsoft Azure Nanodegree program teaches students how to deploy, build, migrate, and monitor applications on Azure, thereby preparing learners for success on Microsoft’s AZ-204 Azure Developer Associate Expert certification...

9. Software Testing,QA Testing, Manual Testing,SDLC,Test Plan

udemy
4.2
(1,574)

Become an expert QA Tester by mastering software testing, manual testing, SDLC, test plan and test case concepts....

10. Software Testing:Effective Test Case Writing & Formatting

udemy
4.4
(609)

Must for all Manual Testers Standard Test Case Format Manual Testing Concepts Test Case Designing Techniques...

11. Intermediate Python

udacity

Gain practitioner-level skills with Python and learn the language powering transformation in Data Science, Machine Learning, and beyond...

12. Complete Manual Software Testing + Web Testing + App Testing

udemy
4.4
(330)

Learn Basic to Advance Software Testing and Become a Software Testing Pro...

13. Software Testing: Learn Manual/QA Testing + ISTQB CTFL Help

udemy
4.4
(858)

Software Testing Course for learning Test Fundamentals,QA Manual Testing, STLC, Automation Basics & ISTQB CTFL Help...

14. Job oriented - Practical Software QA Testing

udemy
4.3
(951)

Your foundation to work as QA in IT! High paying QA Tester jobs. Manual Software Testing. Best instructor in U.S...

15. Introduction to QA Software Testing Professionalism

udemy
4.2
(1,196)

Learn QA SW Testing concept and decide if Quality Assurance Testing career is for you...

16. Software testing and Automation of APIs with UFT/QTP

udemy
4.3
(615)

Automated API Testing is quickly becoming more desired than GUI Automation. Learn the secrets from real QA Engineers...

17. Software Testing Interview Masterclass: Ace the QA interview

udemy
4.6
(892)

The Ultimate Software Testing Interview Course. Get a job as a software tester, QA, Manual QA, Quality Analyst in 2023...

18. Agile Software Testing

udemy
4.3
(296)

Agile Software Testing: Methodologies and Testing Approaches, Techniques and Tools...

19. Test Reporting - Know-How & Templates for Test Managers

udemy
4.3
(838)

Increase transparency with status reports, identify critical issues and execute counter measures during software testing...

20. Software Testing: Get A Tech Job in Software Testing 2023

udemy
4.5
(4,617)

Testing, Manual Testing, Software Testing, Qa, Qa Testing, Quality Assurance, Manual Software Testing, Jira & Job tips...

Top 10 most affordable universities for senior test specialists

The most affordable schools for senior test specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for senior test specialists 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 test specialists.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Cost of attendance

22,990

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior test specialists

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

Some great schools for senior test specialists 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 test specialists 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

31%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior test specialists

The easiest schools for senior test specialists to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior test specialist 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 test specialists.

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. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

8. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average senior test specialist salary by education level

Senior test specialists with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $92,768 annually. With a Master's degree, senior test specialists earn a median annual income of $92,411 compared to $85,819 for senior test specialists with an Bachelor's degree.
Senior test specialist education levelSenior test specialist salary
Master's Degree$92,411
Bachelor's Degree$85,819
Doctorate Degree$92,768
Some College/ Associate Degree$76,053

Senior test specialist education FAQs

Search for senior test specialist jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs