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System hardware engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a system hardware engineer. System hardware engineers usually study electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science. 60% of system hardware engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 25% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 273 real system hardware engineer resumes to see exactly what system hardware engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for system hardware engineers are the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
There are also many online system hardware engineer courses to help get the education required to be a system hardware engineer.
What education do you need to become a system hardware engineer?
What degree do you need to be a system hardware engineer?
- Bachelor's, 60%
- Master's, 25%
- Associate, 11%
- Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a system hardware engineer?
- Computer Engineering, 10%
- Computer Science, 6%
- Other Majors, 31%
Most common colleges for system hardware engineers
| System hardware engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 8.93% |
| Texas A&M University | 8.93% |
| Purdue University | 8.93% |
| Arizona State University | 7.14% |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 7.14% |
Best majors for system hardware engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 48.3% |
| 2 | Computer Engineering | 9.8% |
| 3 | Computer Science | 6.3% |
| 4 | Mechanical Engineering | 4.9% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 4.4% |
Best colleges for system hardware engineers
The best colleges for system hardware engineers are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Vanderbilt University.
A system hardware 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 system hardware 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 system hardware 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. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
6. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
7. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,785
Enrollment
7,711
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
9. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
10. Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$11,870
Enrollment
53,194
20 best online courses for system hardware engineers
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1. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems
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2. Introduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems
This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5360, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Programmable Logic has become more and more common as a core technology used to build electronic systems. By integrating soft-core or hardcore processors, these devices have become complete systems on a chip, steadily displacing general purpose processors and ASICs. In particular, high performance systems are now almost always implemented with FPGAs. This...
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5. Embedded Hardware and Operating Systems
This course is intended for the Bachelor and Master's students, who like practical programming and making IoTs applications! In this course, we will talk about two components of a cyber-physical system, namely hardware and operating systems. After completing this course, you will have knowledge of both hardware components and operating systems. You are able to plan and use embedded operating systems in resource-constraint devices for Internet-of-Things (cyber-physical system) applications. In...
6. FPGA Design for Embedded Systems
The objective of this course is to acquire proficiency with Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA)s for the purpose of creating prototypes or products for a variety of applications. Although FPGA design can be a complex topic, we will introduce it so that, with a little bit of effort, the basic concepts will be easily learned, while also providing a challenge for the more experienced designer. We will explore complexities, capabilities and trends of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) and...
7. Basic Computer Course - Windows 7/10 - IT & Desktop Support
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8. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting
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9. Hardware Security
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10. Introduction to Systems Engineering
Introduction to Systems Engineering introduces you to the holistic and interdisciplinary systems engineering approach to designing, realizing, and managing complex systems. In this three-course specialization, you will learn how to evolve a project from idea to fielded hardware customized to meet customer requirements while effectively managing costs, timescales, and limiting risks. You will identify and define a system and its components, model a system life cycle, and apply systems...
11. Embedded Systems Bootcamp: RTOS, IoT, AI, Vision and FPGA
All microcontrollers in one: Embedded Systems, Io T, RTOS, Deep Learning, Linux and Raspberry PI, ESP32, Arduino...
12. Software Architecture & Design of Modern Large Scale Systems
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13. Computer Hardware and Software
This course provides foundational understanding of how computers process information through hardware and software. You will investigate the world of Information Technology (IT) and survey hardware components, mobile devices, operating systems, programs and apps, network fundamentals, the Internet, and touch on security and ethics...
14. The Need for Systems Engineering
Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to designing, realizing, and managing complex systems. In this course, you will be introduced to principles of systems engineering and its importance to the development of complex systems. You will learn to identify and define systems, manage their complexity, and describe their life cycle. The course uses real-world engineering examples to address how the systems engineering approach can address challenges. This course can be taken for...
15. Product Development & Systems Engineering
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16. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )
A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...
17. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 2
Learn memory management in operating systems as operating system forms the core of computer science...
18. Fundamental of Embedded Systems
Understand the Basic Concept of Hardware, Software and Application in Embedded Systems...
19. IT/Desktop Computer Support- Troubleshooting for Technicians
Learn how to troubleshoot desktop computer issues as an IT Support Technician on real-world organisational networks...
20. Verilog for an FPGA Engineer with Xilinx Vivado Design Suite
Using Xilinx FPGA's...
Top 10 most affordable universities for system hardware engineers
The most affordable schools for system hardware engineers are California State University - Long Beach, brigham young university, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for system hardware 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 system hardware engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
5. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
6. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley, WV • Private
In-state tuition
$7,464
Cost of attendance
17,166
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for system hardware engineers
The hardest universities for system hardware engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for system hardware 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 system hardware 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
6. Princeton University
Princeton, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,503
7. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
8. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
9. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
10. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for system hardware engineers
The easiest schools for system hardware engineers to get into are Capitol Technology University, oregon institute of technology, and south dakota state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a system hardware 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 system hardware engineers.
1. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
2. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
3. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
4. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
Altoona, PA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,094
5. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
6. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
7. Suffolk University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,131
8. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
9. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
10. Portland State University
Portland, OR • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,111
Average system hardware engineer salary by education level
| System hardware engineer education level | System hardware engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $126,441 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $114,173 |
System hardware engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025