Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Systems engineer and team lead education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a systems engineer and team lead. Systems engineers and team lead usually study computer science, business, or electrical engineering. 68% of systems engineers and team lead hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,056 real systems engineer and team lead resumes to see exactly what systems engineer and team lead education sections show.
The most common colleges for systems engineers and team lead are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online systems engineer and team lead courses to help get the education required to be a systems engineer and team lead.
There are certain systems engineer and team lead certifications that you should consider. These systems engineer and team lead certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP).
What education do you need to become a systems engineer and team lead?
What degree do you need to be a systems engineer and team lead?
- Bachelor's, 68%
- Master's, 15%
- Associate, 13%
- High School Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a systems engineer and team lead?
- Computer Science, 16%
- Business, 15%
- Other Majors, 46%
Most common colleges for systems engineers and team lead
| Systems engineer and team lead common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 15.45% |
| George Mason University | 9.76% |
| DeVry University | 8.13% |
| Strayer University | 7.32% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 7.32% |
Best majors for systems engineers and team lead
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 15.6% |
| 2 | Business | 15.1% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering | 14.3% |
| 4 | Computer Information Systems | 8.9% |
| 5 | Computer Engineering | 6.4% |
Best colleges for systems engineers and team lead
The best colleges for systems engineers and team lead are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A systems engineer and team lead with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for systems engineers and team lead. 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 systems engineers and team lead.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,926
Enrollment
9,835
5. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
7. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
8. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
9. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
20 best online courses for systems engineers and team lead
Advertising disclosure
1. 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...
2. 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...
3. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration
Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...
4. Active Directory on Windows Server
Learn how to deploy and manage all aspects of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS and many more technologies...
5. Challenges of Leading Technical Teams
Great Leaders lead by example. They protect their team members, empower them, and help them to improve and grow while the team members, in turn, help the organization improve and grow. Working together with the team, they envision what the organization could be and inspire others to help execute the strategy that will take them there. Many times, they see their team members as more of a family than simply as business acquaintances. This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU...
6. Active Directory Pentesting With Kali Linux - Red Team
Attacking and Hacking Active Directory With Kali Linux Full Course - Red Team Hacking Pentesting...
7. Product Development & Systems Engineering
The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...
8. [Active Directory] Management using Windows PowerShell
[Power Shell] Simplified practical knowledge for automation & management of [Active Directory] using Windows Power Shell...
9. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )
A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...
10. Essential Tools for Windows System Administrators
[Windows] [System Administration] Learn Windows Builtin Tools & Open Source Tools for Efficient System Administration...
11. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...
12. TOTAL: Active Directory with Windows Server 2016
Identity, Access, and Authentication with Microsoft AD and Identity with Windows Server 2016...
13. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking
For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...
14. Windows Server 2019 Administration
Learn Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, Storage, Backup, Azure integration and More...
15. Introduction to Windows Server 2016 for Beginners
Learn Windows Server 2016: Active Directory, DHCP, DNS, IIS, Group Policy, RDP, WSUS, FSRM, Power Shell, and Much More!...
16. Linux System Programming using C and C++(Practical Approach)
Practical approach to Linux c-system programming for fork, thread, semaphore IPC, etc...
17. Software Architecture & Design of Modern Large Scale Systems
Become a Software Architect or Technical Lead by Mastering Software Architecture, System Design & Big Data Processing...
18. Domain Name System (DNS) Administration- Windows Server 2016
DNS Server installation and domain name / zone setup on Windows Server 2016 using the Server Manager & DNS MMC Consoles...
19. Mastering DNS on Windows Server
Learn to Install, Configure and Troubleshoot a Windows DNS Server...
20. Software Architecture & System Design Practical Case Studies
Design Real-life Large Scale Systems, Practice Modern Software Architecture & Prepare for a System Design Interview...
Top 10 most affordable universities for systems engineers and team lead
The most affordable schools for systems engineers and team lead are California State University - Bakersfield, suny farmingdale, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for systems engineers and team lead 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 systems engineers and team lead.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
9. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
10. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for systems engineers and team lead
The hardest universities for systems engineers and team lead to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for systems engineers and team lead 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 systems engineers and team lead 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
9. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
10. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for systems engineers and team lead
The easiest schools for systems engineers and team lead to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, barry university, and oregon institute of technology.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a systems engineer and team lead 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 systems engineers and team lead.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
4. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
5. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
6. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
7. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
8. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
9. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
10. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
Average systems engineer and team lead salary by education level
| Systems engineer and team lead education level | Systems engineer and team lead salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $115,972 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $102,761 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $112,641 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $103,848 |
Systems engineer and team lead education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
Search for systems engineer and team lead jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025