Systems integration engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a systems integration engineer. Systems integration engineers usually study electrical engineering, computer science, or mechanical engineering. 70% of systems integration engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 2,139 real systems integration engineer resumes to see exactly what systems integration engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for systems integration engineers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online systems integration engineer courses to help get the education required to be a systems integration engineer.

There are certain systems integration engineer certifications that you should consider. These systems integration engineer certifications include Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

What education do you need to become a systems integration engineer?

What degree do you need to be a systems integration engineer?

The most common degree for systems integration engineers is bachelor's degree, with 70% of systems integration engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 16% and master's degree degree at 11%.

Bachelor's, 70%

Master's, 16%

Associate, 11%

Doctorate, 1%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a systems integration engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a systems integration engineer. 31% of systems integration engineers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a systems integration engineer include computer science and mechanical engineering.

Electrical Engineering, 31%

Computer Science, 12%

Mechanical Engineering, 10%

Business, 7%

Other Majors, 40%

Most common colleges for systems integration engineers

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

Systems integration engineer common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	11.42%
DeVry University	7.87%
University of Maryland - College Park	6.30%
University of Washington	5.91%
University of Central Florida	5.91%

Show more common systems integration engineer colleges

Best majors for systems integration engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	31.3%
2	Computer Science	11.5%
3	Mechanical Engineering	9.5%
4	Business	7.3%
5	Computer Engineering	6.0%

Show more common systems integration engineer majors

Best colleges for systems integration engineers

The best colleges for systems integration engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.

A systems integration 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 systems integration 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 systems integration 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 systems integration engineers

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. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration

4.2

(1,085)

Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...

3. Software Architecture & System Design Practical Case Studies

4.7

(250)

Design Real-life Large Scale Systems, Practice Modern Software Architecture & Prepare for a System Design Interview...

4. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics

4.6

(960)

Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...

5. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control

4.2

(791)

Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...

6. BMS - Building management system

4.1

(295)

BMS, building management system & building automation systems study , design and calculations...

7. Product Development & Systems Engineering

4.6

(3,086)

The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...

8. System Design Interview Guide for Software Architecture

4.6

(2,010)

Mastering High Level System Design Interview Software Architecture case studies Design patterns Microservices...

9. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide

4.4

(798)

Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...

10. Software Architecture & Design of Modern Large Scale Systems

4.7

(4,499)

Become a Software Architect or Technical Lead by Mastering Software Architecture, System Design & Big Data Processing...

11. Certificate Program In Management Information Systems

4.1

(261)

Learn about the exciting world of Management Information Systems and its impact on the way organisations now function...

12. Linux System Programming using C and C++(Practical Approach)

4.2

(501)

Practical approach to Linux c-system programming for fork, thread, semaphore IPC, etc...

13. Rocking System Design

4.6

(1,627)

Learn system design, from building blocks to complex architectures for interviews and real world projects...

14. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )

4.3

(377)

A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...

15. Pragmatic System Design

4.5

(3,283)

Master System Design Interviews: Learn Practical Approaches and Boost Your Career...

16. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)

4.6

(292)

Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...

17. Systems Innovation

4.5

(1,720)

Learn systems innovation - the new systems-based approach to enabling transformative change within complex organizations...

18. Electrical Control & Protection Systems

4.6

(1,763)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

19. Essential Tools for Windows System Administrators

4.2

(325)

[Windows] [System Administration] Learn Windows Builtin Tools & Open Source Tools for Efficient System Administration...

20. Mastering the System Design Interview

4.6

(6,886)

Insider tips for your system design interview from a former Amazon hiring manager – plus 6 mock interviews for practice!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for systems integration engineers

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

If the best universities for systems integration 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 integration 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 integration engineers

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

Some great schools for systems integration 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 integration 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 integration engineers

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

Systems integration engineers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $117,677 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, systems integration engineers earn a median annual income of $114,011 compared to $104,379 for systems integration engineers with an Associate degree.

Systems integration engineer education level	Systems integration engineer salary
Master's Degree	$117,677
High School Diploma or Less	$103,192
Bachelor's Degree	$114,011
Some College/ Associate Degree	$104,379

Systems integration engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Systems Integration Engineers?

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

Search for systems integration engineer jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

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 January 8, 2025

Browse computer and mathematical jobs