Test engine operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a test engine operator. Test engine operators usually study mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer engineering. 74% of test engine operators hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 354 real test engine operator resumes to see exactly what test engine operator education sections show.

The most common colleges for test engine operators are the Northeastern University and the Northeastern University.

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

What education do you need to become a test engine operator?

What degree do you need to be a test engine operator?

The most common degree for test engine operators is bachelor's degree, with 74% of test engine operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 12% and associate degree degree at 9%.

Bachelor's, 74%

Associate, 12%

Master's, 9%

High School Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a test engine operator?

You should major in mechanical engineering to become a test engine operator. 27% of test engine operators major in mechanical engineering. Other common majors for a test engine operator include electrical engineering and computer engineering.

Mechanical Engineering, 27%

Electrical Engineering, 22%

Computer Engineering, 8%

Business, 6%

Other Majors, 37%

Most common colleges for test engine operators

Test engine operators often get their degrees at Northeastern University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and University of Wisconsin Colleges. Here are the most common colleges for test engine operators in the US based on their resumes.

Test engine operator common college	Percentages
Northeastern University	14.46%
Rochester Institute of Technology	13.25%
University of Wisconsin Colleges	6.02%
Kettering University	6.02%
University of Phoenix	6.02%

Show more common test engine operator colleges

Best majors for test engine operators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Mechanical Engineering	27.1%
2	Electrical Engineering	22.4%
3	Computer Engineering	7.6%
4	Business	6.2%
5	Mechanical Engineering Technology	4.8%

Show more common test engine operator majors

Best colleges for test engine operators

The best colleges for test engine operators are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

A test engine operator 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 engine operators. 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 engine operators.

1. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

7. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

9. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

10. Princeton University

Princeton, NJ • Private

In-state tuition

$50,340

Enrollment

5,301

20 best online courses for test engine operators

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Top 10 most affordable universities for test engine operators

The most affordable schools for test engine operators are California State University - Long Beach, university of florida, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for test engine operators 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 engine operators.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

5. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

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. West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV • Private

In-state tuition

$7,464

Cost of attendance

17,166

10. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for test engine operators

The hardest universities for test engine operators to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for test engine operators 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 engine operators 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,465

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

9. Princeton University

Princeton, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,503

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for test engine operators

The easiest schools for test engine operators to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and south dakota state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a test engine operator 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 engine operators.

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. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

4. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

5. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

6. Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,093

7. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

8. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

9. Portland State University

Portland, OR • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,111

10. California State University - Chico

Chico, CA • Private

Admissions rate

65%

SAT average

1,092

Average test engine operator salary by education level

Test engine operators with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $91,845 annually. With a Master's degree, test engine operators earn a median annual income of $91,427 compared to $83,759 for test engine operators with an Bachelor's degree.

Test engine operator education level	Test engine operator salary
Master's Degree	$91,427
Bachelor's Degree	$83,759
Doctorate Degree	$91,845
Some College/ Associate Degree	$72,599

Test engine operator education FAQs

What is the best college for Test Engine Operators?

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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