Systems Engineer Education Requirements

Q: What degree do you need to be a systems engineer?

You need a degree in engineering, computer science, or mathematics to be a systems engineer. However, many systems engineers have also completed a graduate-level program in systems engineering.

Updated April 5, 2024

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Dr. Harvey Hoffman,

Les Atlas

The educational requirements for a systems engineer are typically a bachelor's degree, with some professionals also holding a master's degree. According to Dr. Harvey Hoffman, Associate Dean of Engineering at Fairfield University, engineering graduates must be flexible and open to taking on new projects, exploring new industries, and building networking relationships. He emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning to increase knowledge and improve skills and competencies. Systems engineers often study majors such as Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Computer Engineering, and may pursue certifications like Project Management Professional and Certified systems engineering Professional. Top schools for systems engineering include California State University - Long Beach, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Stanford University.

What education do you need to become a systems engineer?

What degree do you need to be a systems engineer?

The most common degree for systems engineers is bachelor's degree, with 70% of systems engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 13% and master's degree degree at 13%.

Bachelor's, 70%

Master's, 13%

Associate, 13%

Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a systems engineer?

According to Les Atlas, Professor at the University of Washington's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, "specializations will become more important" for young systems engineers. The most popular majors for systems engineers include computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.

Electrical Engineering, 22%

Computer Science, 18%

Business, 8%

Information Technology, 7%

Other Majors, 45%

Most common colleges for systems engineers

Systems engineers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of Maryland - College Park, and DeVry University. Here are the most common colleges for systems engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Systems Engineer Common College	Percentages
University of Phoenix	11.29%
University of Maryland - College Park	10.27%
DeVry University	9.04%
Pennsylvania State University	6.42%
Purdue University	5.76%

Show more common systems engineer colleges

Best majors for systems engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	21.9%
2	Computer Science	18.2%
3	Business	8.1%
4	Information Technology	6.6%
5	Computer Engineering	6.6%

Show more common systems engineer majors

Best colleges for systems engineers

The top colleges for systems engineers include California State University - Long Beach, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Purdue University, and Harvard University. These institutions matter for systems engineers because they offer rigorous programs that typically lead to a Bachelor's or Master's degree, which are the most common education levels in the field. Their graduates often command higher salaries and secure better jobs due to the schools' reputation for excellence and the comprehensive education they provide.

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

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Top 10 most affordable universities for systems engineers

The most affordable schools for systems engineers are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - bakersfield, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for systems 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 systems 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 systems engineers

The hardest universities for systems engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

Some great schools for systems 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 systems 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

SAT Average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

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

SAT Average

1,520

5. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions Rate

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

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

SAT Average

1,492

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for systems engineers

The easiest schools for systems 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 systems 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 systems 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 systems engineer salary by education level

According to our data, systems engineers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $94,007 annually. Systems engineers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $87,878.

Systems Engineer education level	Systems Engineer salary
Master's Degree	$87,878
Bachelor's Degree	$81,366
Doctorate Degree	$94,007

Systems Engineer Education FAQs

What degree do you need to be a systems engineer?

What is the best college for Systems Engineers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.

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Updated April 5, 2024

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.

Updated April 5, 2024

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