Test automation lead education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a test automation lead. Test automation leads usually study computer science, computer applications, or electrical engineering. 63% of test automation leads hold a bachelor's degree, and 30% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 674 real test automation lead resumes to see exactly what test automation lead education sections show.

The most common colleges for test automation leads are the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at Austin.

There are also many online test automation lead courses to help get the education required to be a test automation lead.

There are certain test automation lead certifications that you should consider. These test automation lead certifications include ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM).

What education do you need to become a test automation lead?

What degree do you need to be a test automation lead?

The most common degree for test automation leads is bachelor's degree, with 63% of test automation leads earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 30% and master's degree degree at 4%.

Bachelor's, 63%

Master's, 30%

Associate, 4%

Diploma, 3%

Other Degrees, 0%

What should I major in to become a test automation lead?

You should major in computer science to become a test automation lead. 26% of test automation leads major in computer science. Other common majors for a test automation lead include computer applications and electrical engineering.

Computer Science, 26%

Computer Applications, 14%

Electrical Engineering, 14%

Computer Engineering, 7%

Other Majors, 39%

Most common colleges for test automation leads

Test automation leads often get their degrees at University of Texas at Austin, University of the West, and Purdue University. Here are the most common colleges for test automation leads in the US based on their resumes.

Test automation lead common college	Percentages
University of Texas at Austin	8.82%
University of the West	8.82%
Purdue University	5.88%
University of Notre Dame	5.88%
University of Pennsylvania	5.88%

Show more common test automation lead colleges

Best majors for test automation leads

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	25.8%
2	Computer Applications	14.2%
3	Electrical Engineering	13.9%
4	Computer Engineering	7.1%
5	Engineering	6.2%

Show more common test automation lead majors

Best colleges for test automation leads

The best colleges for test automation leads are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

A test automation 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 test automation leads. 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 test automation leads.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

3. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

4. Texas A&M University

College Station, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$11,870

Enrollment

53,194

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

6. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Enrollment

4,169

8. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

10. LeTourneau University

Longview, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$30,210

Enrollment

1,771

20 best online courses for test automation leads

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Top 10 most affordable universities for test automation leads

The most affordable schools for test automation leads are California State University - Long Beach, brigham young university, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for test automation leads 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 test automation leads.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

8. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

10. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for test automation leads

The hardest universities for test automation leads to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for test automation leads 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 test automation leads 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. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

10. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for test automation leads

The easiest schools for test automation leads to get into are Capitol Technology University, oregon institute of technology, and linfield college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a test automation 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 test automation leads.

1. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

2. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

3. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

4. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

5. Portland State University

Portland, OR • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,111

6. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

7. Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,062

8. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

9. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

10. University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,050

Average test automation lead salary by education level

According to our data, test automation leads with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $101,000 annually. Test automation leads with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $100,581.

Test automation lead education level	Test automation lead salary
Master's Degree	$100,581
Bachelor's Degree	$92,874
Doctorate Degree	$101,000
Some College/ Associate Degree	$81,542

Test automation lead education FAQs

What is the best college for Test Automation Leads?

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

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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

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