Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
System test engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a system test engineer. System test engineers usually study electrical engineering, computer science, or computer engineering. 69% of system test engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 3,408 real system test engineer resumes to see exactly what system test engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for system test engineers are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.
There are also many online system test engineer courses to help get the education required to be a system test engineer.
There are certain system test engineer certifications that you should consider. These system test engineer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP).
What education do you need to become a system test engineer?
What degree do you need to be a system test engineer?
- Bachelor's, 69%
- Master's, 17%
- Associate, 11%
- Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a system test engineer?
- Computer Science, 11%
- Other Majors, 34%
Most common colleges for system test engineers
| System test engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| DeVry University | 8.29% |
| San Jose State University | 8.05% |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 7.07% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 6.10% |
| University of Phoenix | 6.10% |
Best majors for system test engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 40.6% |
| 2 | Computer Science | 11.2% |
| 3 | Computer Engineering | 8.0% |
| 4 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 6.1% |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineering | 5.8% |
Best colleges for system test engineers
The best colleges for system test engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
A system test 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 test 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 test engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
4. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Enrollment
24,841
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. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,926
Enrollment
9,835
20 best online courses for system test engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Software Engineering Immersive (Full-time)
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
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
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
Learn best practices for using the Agile methodology to build better products faster and more efficiently...
5. 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...
6. 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...
7. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration
Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...
8. Practical - ISTQB - Test Automation Engineer Course 2023
Learn the concepts, methods and tools to pass the ISTQB - Advanced Level - Test Automation Engineer Certification Exam...
9. Full Stack JavaScript Developer
Meet the growing demand for full stack developers and learn to build rich web experiences using a modern architecture and technology stack...
10. Cloud Developer using Microsoft Azure
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...
11. Product Development & Systems Engineering
The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...
12. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )
A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...
13. Intermediate Python
Gain practitioner-level skills with Python and learn the language powering transformation in Data Science, Machine Learning, and beyond...
14. Power Engineering: Power System Analysis - Part 1
Start your career in electrical engineering and power engineering by learning the fundamentals of power system analysis...
15. Software Testing,QA Testing, Manual Testing,SDLC,Test Plan
Become an expert QA Tester by mastering software testing, manual testing, SDLC, test plan and test case concepts....
16. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...
17. Linux System Programming using C and C++(Practical Approach)
Practical approach to Linux c-system programming for fork, thread, semaphore IPC, etc...
18. Software Performance Testing and Engineering
PT Concepts & Best Practices JMeter Scripting for APIs Perf Testing of Microservices on AWS ECS & Lambda...
19. Unit Testing & Other Embedded Software Catalysts
Dr. Surly's School for Mad Scientists: Introduction to Test Driven Development for Embedded & System Software in C...
20. SDET/Test Architect Essentials -Road to Full stack QA
Advanced Tutorial to Learn essential skills needed to transform your career from QA Engineer to SDET/Test Architect...
Top 10 most affordable universities for system test engineers
The most affordable schools for system test engineers are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - bakersfield, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for system test 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 test engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
6. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
7. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
8. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
9. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
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 test engineers
The hardest universities for system test engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for system test 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 test 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. 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. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
9. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
10. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for system test engineers
The easiest schools for system test 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 test 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 test 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. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
5. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
6. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
7. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
8. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
9. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
10. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
Average system test engineer salary by education level
| System test engineer education level | System test engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $114,641 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $105,116 |
| Doctorate Degree | $115,160 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $91,238 |
System test engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
Search for system test engineer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025