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Simulation Engineer Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a simulation engineer. Simulation engineers usually study mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or chemical engineering. 67% of simulation engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 683 real simulation engineer resumes to see exactly what simulation engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for simulation engineers are the University of Central Florida and the University of Central Florida.

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

There are certain simulation engineer certifications that you should consider. These simulation engineer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP).

What education do you need to become a simulation engineer?

What degree do you need to be a simulation engineer?

The most common degree for simulation engineers is bachelor's degree, with 67% of simulation engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 23% and master's degree degree at 5%.
  • Bachelor's, 67%
  • Master's, 23%
  • Associate, 5%
  • Doctorate, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a simulation engineer?

You should major in mechanical engineering to become a simulation engineer. 22% of simulation engineers major in mechanical engineering. Other common majors for a simulation engineer include electrical engineering and chemical engineering.

Most common colleges for simulation engineers

Simulation engineers often get their degrees at University of Central Florida, Texas A&M; University, and University of Florida. Here are the most common colleges for simulation engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Simulation Engineer Common CollegePercentages
University of Central Florida9.38%
Texas A&M University9.38%
University of Florida7.29%
Pennsylvania State University6.25%
Purdue University6.25%

Best majors for simulation engineers

Best colleges for simulation engineers

The best colleges for simulation engineers are California Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, and Stanford University.

A simulation 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 simulation 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 simulation engineers.

1. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-State Tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

2. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

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. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-State Tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

6. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-State Tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

7. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

8. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-State Tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

20 best online courses for simulation engineers

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1. Modelling and simulation of mechanical systems

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The course provides the principles of modelling and simulation of modern mechatronic systems, which are mechanical systems integrated with several types of sensors and actuators. The aim of the course is to show different methodologies to improve the potential of mechanical systems by transforming them into mechatronic systems based on virtual models. In particular, the lessons will be focused on case studies in three engineering fields: robotics, controlled electro-hydraulic actuators and...

2. Computer Simulations

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Big data and artificial intelligence get most of the press about computational social science, but maybe the most complex aspect of it refers to using computational tools to explore and develop social science theory. This course shows how computer simulations are being used to explore the realm of what is theoretically possible. Computer simulations allow us to study why societies are the way they are, and to dream about the world we would like to live in. This can be as intuitive as playing a...

3. MATLAB/Simulink for Power System Simulations

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4.1
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Learn how to simulate power systems in MATLAB/Simulink by building several Simulink power system models...

4. MATLAB/Simulink for Power Electronics Simulations

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4.6
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Learn Simulink by modeling power electronics devices (rectifiers, dc-to-dc converters & inverters) in MATLAB/Simulink...

5. Simulation of KANBAN Production Control Using R Simmer

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Understand Kanban Production Control Model Discrete Event Simulations Using R Simmer Capture Simulation Data, Plot Charts & Interpret Results...

6. Simulation of Manufacturing Process Using R Simmer

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Welcome to "Simulation of Manufacturing Process Using R Simmer". This is a project-based course which should take about 2 hours to finish. Before diving into the project, please take a look at the course objectives and structure. By the end of this project, you will gain introductiory knowledge of Discrete Event Simulation, Manufacturing Process Analysis, be able to use R Studio and Simmer library, create statistical variables required for simulation, define process trajectory, define and...

7. MATLAB/Simulink - Simulink Course for Electrical Engineering

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4.3
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Learn basics of MATLAB Simulink to simulate different electric components in MATLAB Simulink for electrical engineering...

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

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

9. Simulation of Call Centre Operations Using R Simmer

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Introduction To Call Centre Simulation Process Create Statistical Variables Required For Simulation Define Trajectories for Call Centre Departments Define Teams, Resources & Arrivals of Calls Run Call Centre Simulation & Store Results Plot Charts & Interpret Simulation Results...

10. MATLAB for Power Electronics: Simulation & Analysis

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4.6
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Free Simulation Files of All the Converters Included...

11. Ansys Workbench - Analysis Engineering Training Program

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4.3
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If you want to be an Analysis Engineer with Ansys Workbench join this Course !...

12. MATLAB/SIMULINK Masterclass - From a Beginner to an Expert

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4.5
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Learn Modelling & Simulation in MATLAB/SIMULINK from scratch by Real Life Applications...

13. Simulation using ANSYS - Fluent English version

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4.4
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CFD ANSYS Fluent...

14. Model a Car and Design a PID Controller in MATLAB/SIMULINK

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4.3
(806)

Model and simulate an electric car (Tesla Model S) in MATLAB & SIMULINK and design your own PID speed controller...

15. Electrical Engineering Simulations with Etap

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4.1
(782)

Guide in designing, and simulating power circuits, motor and transformer related circuitry using etap...

16. ANSYS Training: An Easy Introduction with Applications

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4.5
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Essential training on solving Engineering Problems from start by using Ansys workbench with examples...

17. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft

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4.5
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Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...

18. R Programming for Simulation and Monte Carlo Methods

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4.6
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Learn to program statistical applications and Monte Carlo simulations with numerous real-life cases and R software...

19. LS DYNA - A Simulation Training with Practical Applications

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4.7
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Learn LS DYNA from basics to advance level with Real life engineering Applications...

20. COMSOL Multiphysics simulation 2023: Basics to Advanced

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4.1
(509)

Basic & complete course on COMSOL. Basic concepts on simulations, boundary conditions, meshing, results are covered...

Top 10 most affordable universities for simulation engineers

The most affordable schools for simulation engineers are California State University - Long Beach, university of florida, and california state polytechnic university, pomona.

If the best universities for simulation 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 simulation 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 Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,353

Cost of Attendance

21,302

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,620

Cost of Attendance

18,136

5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,940

Cost of Attendance

13,508

6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-State Tuition

$4,094

Cost of Attendance

14,302

7. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,992

Cost of Attendance

22,430

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,556

Cost of Attendance

19,434

9. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,749

Cost of Attendance

14,823

10. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,368

Cost of Attendance

21,034

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for simulation engineers

The hardest universities for simulation engineers to get into are California Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for simulation 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 simulation 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. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

7%

SAT Average

1,566

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions Rate

11%

SAT Average

1,513

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

4%

SAT Average

1,497

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,508

5. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

11%

SAT Average

1,471

6. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions Rate

22%

SAT Average

1,465

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

17%

SAT Average

1,507

8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

7%

SAT Average

1,545

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions Rate

15%

SAT Average

1,506

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

6%

SAT Average

1,512

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for simulation engineers

The easiest schools for simulation engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and cleveland state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a simulation 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 simulation 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. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions Rate

88%

SAT Average

1,111

4. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

87%

SAT Average

1,107

5. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions Rate

90%

SAT Average

957

6. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions Rate

92%

SAT Average

1,149

7. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX • Private

Admissions Rate

87%

SAT Average

1,068

8. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions Rate

97%

SAT Average

1,080

9. Wichita State University

Wichita, KS • Private

Admissions Rate

97%

SAT Average

1,152

10. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

91%

SAT Average

1,094

Average simulation engineer salary by education level

According to our data, simulation engineers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $107,509 annually. Simulation engineers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $102,789.
Simulation Engineer education levelSimulation Engineer salary
Master's Degree$102,789
Bachelor's Degree$94,975
Doctorate Degree$107,509

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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.

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