Utility engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a utility engineer. Utility engineers usually study mechanical engineering, civil engineering, or chemical engineering. 59% of utility engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 856 real utility engineer resumes to see exactly what utility engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for utility engineers are the University of Central Florida and the University of Central Florida.

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

There are certain utility engineer certifications that you should consider. These utility engineer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

What education do you need to become a utility engineer?

What degree do you need to be a utility engineer?

The most common degree for utility engineers is bachelor's degree, with 59% of utility engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 12% and master's degree degree at 11%.

Bachelor's, 59%

Master's, 12%

Associate, 11%

High School Diploma, 11%

Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a utility engineer?

You should major in mechanical engineering to become a utility engineer. 24% of utility engineers major in mechanical engineering. Other common majors for a utility engineer include civil engineering and chemical engineering.

Mechanical Engineering, 24%

Civil Engineering, 10%

Chemical Engineering, 10%

Electrical Engineering, 10%

Other Majors, 46%

Most common colleges for utility engineers

Utility engineers often get their degrees at University of Central Florida, Northeastern University, and University of California - Davis. Here are the most common colleges for utility engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Utility engineer common college	Percentages
University of Central Florida	8.24%
Northeastern University	8.24%
University of California - Davis	7.06%
Purdue University	7.06%
University of South Carolina - Columbia	5.88%

Show more common utility engineer colleges

Best majors for utility engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Mechanical Engineering	24.5%
2	Civil Engineering	10.4%
3	Chemical Engineering	10.2%
4	Electrical Engineering	9.6%
5	Business	8.5%

Show more common utility engineer majors

Best colleges for utility engineers

The best colleges for utility engineers are California Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

A utility 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 utility 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 utility engineers.

1. Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,646

Enrollment

5,736

2. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

3. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

5. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

6. Iowa State University of Science and Technology

Ames, IA • Private

In-state tuition

$8,988

Enrollment

29,248

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

8. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

9. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

10. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

20 best online courses for utility engineers

Advertising disclosure

1. Sustainable Urban Water Systems

The MOOC “Sustainable Urban Water Systems” aims to provide knowledge about modern and sustainable solutions for urban water management in water-sensitive cities. The focus is on stormwater control and water supply strategies for the mitigation of effects on the water cycles due to human settlements and climate change. In particular, the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban drainage systems, the use of alternative water resources, and the reduction of losses and waste, make...

2. 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...

3. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners

4.7

(269)

Learn how to fully design a water treatment system for small to medium scale projects...

4. Electrical Power Engineering Principles

4.7

(1,112)

Learn all the basic theories and principles of electrical engineering...

5. Electric Power Systems

This course familiarizes you with standards and policies of the electric utility industry, and provides you with basic vocabulary used in the business. It introduces the electric power system, from generation of the electricity all the way to the wall plug. You will learn about the segments of the system, and common components like power cables and transformers. This course is for individuals considering a career in the energy field (who have a high school diploma, at minimum, and basic...

6. Water Treatment Process Design

4.4

(396)

design water treatment& RO/NF plants, sand& multimedia filter, iron& manganese removal filter, Ion exchange DI& softener...

7. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)

4.6

(374)

Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...

8. 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...

9. 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...

10. Internal Combustion Engine Basics (Mechanical Engineering)

4.5

(723)

Learn how internal combustion engines work! Learn all of a combustion engine's main components and how they work!...

11. Unreal Engine: Character Skill System

4.3

(513)

Master the tools used to build Fortnite as we craft our very own character skill system using the Unreal Engine!...

12. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics

4.6

(960)

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

13. Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Explained

4.8

(1,152)

Learn how things work! Boilers, engines, valves, transformers, pumps, learn it all in this constantly growing course!...

14. Power Engineering: Power System Analysis - Part 1

4.6

(394)

Start your career in electrical engineering and power engineering by learning the fundamentals of power system analysis...

15. Unreal Engine 5: Soulslike Melee Combat System

4.1

(708)

Make a complete third person souls-like action RPG melee combat system in Unreal Engine 5!...

16. Electrical Power Equipment

4.6

(939)

Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...

17. AutoCAD Electrical for Electrical and Automation Engineers

4.2

(413)

Become proficient in Auto CAD Electrical quickly and showcase your skills...

18. Diploma in Basics of Civil Engineering for Construction

4.3

(294)

Practical Course to Gain Quick Knowledge in Civil Engineering & Get Entry Level Jobs in Construction as Freshers...

19. Oracle database utilities - Perform data export / Import

4.5

(510)

Learn Oracle utilities to move data from one database to another...

20. Mechanics / Statics - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

4.5

(263)

Engineering Solid Mechanics / Engineering Statics...

Top 10 most affordable universities for utility engineers

The most affordable schools for utility engineers are Brigham Young University, inter american university of puerto rico arecibo, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.

If the best universities for utility 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 utility engineers.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo

Arecibo, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,872

Cost of attendance

13,476

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German

San German, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

14,322

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Cost of attendance

28,501

9. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

10. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for utility engineers

The hardest universities for utility engineers to get into are California Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

Some great schools for utility 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 utility 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. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,566

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

8. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,465

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

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

The easiest schools for utility engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, saint martin's university, and cleveland state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a utility 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 utility engineers.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

3. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

4. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

957

5. University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,050

6. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

7. Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,093

8. Alcorn State University

Alcorn State, MS • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,026

9. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

10. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

Average utility engineer salary by education level

Utility engineers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $94,029 annually. With a Master's degree, utility engineers earn a median annual income of $86,247 compared to $75,502 for utility engineers with an Bachelor's degree.

Utility engineer education level	Utility engineer salary
Master's Degree	$86,247
Bachelor's Degree	$75,502
Doctorate Degree	$94,029

Utility engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Utility Engineers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.

Search for utility 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 architecture and engineering jobs