Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
System safety engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a system safety engineer. System safety engineers usually study electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or aerospace engineering. 73% of system safety engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 634 real system safety engineer resumes to see exactly what system safety engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for system safety engineers are the Florida State University and the Florida State University.
There are also many online system safety engineer courses to help get the education required to be a system safety engineer.
There are certain system safety engineer certifications that you should consider. These system safety engineer certifications include Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP).
What education do you need to become a system safety engineer?
What degree do you need to be a system safety engineer?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- Master's, 15%
- Associate, 9%
- Doctorate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a system safety engineer?
- Engineering, 6%
- Other Majors, 50%
Most common colleges for system safety engineers
| System safety engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Florida State University | 8.14% |
| Purdue University | 8.14% |
| Texas A&M University | 6.98% |
| University of Houston | 6.98% |
| University of Southern California | 6.98% |
Best majors for system safety engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 18.5% |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering | 16.1% |
| 3 | Aerospace Engineering | 8.7% |
| 4 | Engineering | 6.3% |
| 5 | Business | 5.9% |
Best colleges for system safety engineers
The best colleges for system safety engineers are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
A system safety 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 safety 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 safety 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. 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 system safety engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems
The most complete course available on Functional Safety. 2+ hours of videos, case studies, assignments, & more...
2. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
3. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system
Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...
4. NEBOSH FIRE SAFETY
Managing Fire Safety in Workplace...
5. NEBOSH health and safety Management System
It Shows the Start point to Build your Health & safety Career and how to Join the field and becoming HSE Specialist...
6. High Voltage Electric Vehicle Safety
Electric Vehicle Safety Battery Pack Fire Safety Electric Shock Safety Accidental Safety High Voltage Components...
7. Refresher course of Safety Management Systems
A quick overview for aviation managers and safety professionals about basic concepts and philosophy of SMS...
8. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert
Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...
9. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings
A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...
10. Basic Fire Safety Awareness
Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...
11. Complete Health and Safety Auditor Course. OHSAS 18001.
How to implement and audit a health & safety management system and obtain certification to OHSAS 18001 Standard...
12. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - A mechanical engineering approach to risk management of plant and machinery...
13. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors
The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...
14. Basic Certificate in Health Safety & Environment-HSE Level 2
A comprehensive course for Safety Officers, Supervisors, Managers and Aspiring Safety Professionals...
15. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning
Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...
16. Occupational Health & Safety Training
Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...
17. Fun food safety and sanitation course
The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...
18. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management
A Workplace Safety Management Course for Current and Future Safety Professionals...
19. Health & Safety Risk Assessment
Learn how to conduct a complete risk assessment in your workplace...
20. Risk Management: Master FMEA/FMECA & Criticality from A to Z
Become an expert in Risk Analysis and Management by applying the most widely used and accepted methodology: FMEA/FMECA...
Top 10 most affordable universities for system safety engineers
The most affordable schools for system safety engineers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.
If the best universities for system safety 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 safety 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. 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 system safety engineers
The hardest universities for system safety engineers to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for system safety 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 safety 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 system safety engineers
The easiest schools for system safety 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 system safety 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 safety 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. 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 system safety engineer salary by education level
| System safety engineer education level | System safety engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $107,464 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $87,272 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $64,237 |
System safety engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
Search for system safety engineer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025