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Substations electrical engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a substations electrical engineer. Substations electrical engineers usually study electrical engineering, engineering, or electrical engineering technology. 74% of substations electrical engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 98 real substations electrical engineer resumes to see exactly what substations electrical engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for substations electrical engineers are the Texas A&M; University San Antonio and the Texas A&M; University San Antonio.

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

What education do you need to become a substations electrical engineer?

What degree do you need to be a substations electrical engineer?

The most common degree for substations electrical engineers is bachelor's degree, with 74% of substations electrical engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 12% and master's degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 74%
  • Master's, 12%
  • Associate, 8%
  • Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a substations electrical engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a substations electrical engineer. 67% of substations electrical engineers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a substations electrical engineer include engineering and electrical engineering technology.

Most common colleges for substations electrical engineers

Substations electrical engineers often get their degrees at Texas A&M; University San Antonio, Colorado School of Mines, and North Carolina State University. Here are the most common colleges for substations electrical engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Substations electrical engineer common collegePercentages
Texas A&M University San Antonio13.79%
Colorado School of Mines6.90%
North Carolina State University6.90%
University of Washington6.90%
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs6.90%

Best majors for substations electrical engineers

Best colleges for substations electrical engineers

The best colleges for substations electrical engineers are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A substations electrical 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 substations electrical 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 substations electrical engineers.

1. Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,646

Enrollment

5,736

2. Wentworth Institute of Technology

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$33,950

Enrollment

4,254

3. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

9. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

20 best online courses for substations electrical engineers

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1. MV Substation - An industrial approach (PART-A)

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This tailor-made certificate course on MV Substation Engineering is curated by the Subject Matter Experts and practitioners of L&T, and is structured pragmatically to help the learner understand the industry practices in carrying out the engineering for substations and selection of various substation equipment in accordance with Indian & International Standards. In addition, it covers the electrical safety rules, safe operating procedures and an overview of maintenance practices to give a...

2. A Practitioner's Approach to Power Distribution & Automation

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Our specialization is a blend of basic and emerging technology in the power distribution sector through two unique courses. First course is Electrical Power Distribution wherein we deal from concept to commissioning level, give exposure to the learners statutory regulations, the different distribution equipment like distribution transformers, pole mounted substation, auto reclosure, sectionlizers, Compact Substation, Ring Main unit. Today we are moving more of digitalization and our...

3. Ultimate Electricity Generation, HV, and Substations Bundle

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4.7
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This electrical engineering bundle consists of electrical substations, high voltage, and electricity generation courses...

4. Air Insulated Electrical Substation Design

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4.5
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This course will give you a great appreciation of Air Insulated Substations and how all of the equipments fit together...

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6. AutoCAD Electrical for Electrical and Automation Engineers

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7. Complete Etap course for Power Electrical Engineering

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Start your career in electrical & electronics engineering by learning everything about electric circuits and electronics...

9. Ultimate Electrical Power Protection, Control & Switchgear

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Your Complete guide in industrial power system protection for switchgears and substations- from Beginner to Expert Level...

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Fundamentals of Electricity & Electric Circuits for Electronics - Circuit Design - Electrical Engineering...

11. Electrical Control & Protection Systems

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

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16. Ultimate Electrical Machines for Electrical Engineering

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Learn about different electrical machines such as DC, synchronous, and induction machines without any previous knowledge...

17. The Complete Electrical Power Control and Protection

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Your Complete Practical Guide in Electrical Control & Protection Systems for Stations , Substations & Distribution Zones...

18. Construction Cost Estimating and Management

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19. Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Explained

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20. Diploma in Basics of Civil Engineering for Construction

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Practical Course to Gain Quick Knowledge in Civil Engineering & Get Entry Level Jobs in Construction as Freshers...

Top 10 most affordable universities for substations electrical engineers

The most affordable schools for substations electrical engineers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.

If the best universities for substations electrical 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 substations electrical engineers.

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. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

10. National University College - Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$6,675

Cost of attendance

12,941

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for substations electrical engineers

The hardest universities for substations electrical engineers to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for substations electrical 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 substations electrical 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. 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 substations electrical engineers

The easiest schools for substations electrical engineers 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 substations electrical 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 substations electrical 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. 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. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

9. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average substations electrical engineer salary by education level

Substations electrical engineers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $103,626 annually. With a Master's degree, substations electrical engineers earn a median annual income of $95,307 compared to $86,355 for substations electrical engineers with an Bachelor's degree.
Substations electrical engineer education levelSubstations electrical engineer salary
Master's Degree$95,307
Bachelor's Degree$86,355
Doctorate Degree$103,626

Substations electrical engineer education FAQs

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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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