Post job

Vice president of engineering education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a vice president of engineering. Vice presidents of engineering usually study electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer science. 69% of vice presidents of engineering hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 4,417 real vice president of engineering resumes to see exactly what vice president of engineering education sections show.

The most common colleges for vice presidents of engineering are the Purdue University and the Purdue University.

There are also many online vice president of engineering courses to help get the education required to be a vice president of engineering.

There are certain vice president of engineering certifications that you should consider. These vice president of engineering certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Sales Professional (CSP).

What education do you need to become a vice president of engineering?

What degree do you need to be a vice president of engineering?

The most common degree for vice presidents of engineering is bachelor's degree, with 69% of vice presidents of engineering earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 19% and master's degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 69%
  • Master's, 19%
  • Associate, 7%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a vice president of engineering?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a vice president of engineering. 21% of vice presidents of engineering major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a vice president of engineering include mechanical engineering and computer science.

Most common colleges for vice presidents of engineering

Vice presidents of engineering often get their degrees at Purdue University, Texas A&M; University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Here are the most common colleges for vice presidents of engineering in the US based on their resumes.
Vice president of engineering common collegePercentages
Purdue University8.14%
Texas A&M University7.77%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology7.01%
Pennsylvania State University6.82%
Stanford University6.06%

Best majors for vice presidents of engineering

Best colleges for vice presidents of engineering

The best colleges for vice presidents of engineering are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

A vice president of engineering with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for vice presidents of engineering. 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 vice presidents of engineering.

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

2. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

5. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

6. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

10. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

20 best online courses for vice presidents of engineering

Advertising disclosure

1. Strategic Product Development

coursera

This course discusses how companies create new products that customers want while achieving their financial objectives. Learners begin by defining the product strategies necessary to ensure a company’s long-term growth. Learners then explore the different product development processes used by high-tech businesses today, such as Stage-Gate and Lean/Agile techniques. Learners conclude by illustrating the tools to build the high-performance teams that take the development process from concept...

2. Real-World Engineering Management

coursera

Learn software engineering management using the same practices as Amazon Web Services (AWS), with comparisons to the practices at Google and Microsoft! Gain insights to impress on your first (or next) engineering manager (EM or SDM) role.\n\nLead instructor Nancy Wang, Director of Engineering and Product and General Manager of Data Protection Services at Amazon Web Services, shares the key business, technical, design, and leadership skills necessary for success at engineering manager roles at...

3. Product Development & Systems Engineering

udemy
4.6
(3,086)

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

4. Business Mind - Mastering Business Development

udemy
4.4
(303)

Master in Practice the Product, Sales and Marketing Perspective of Business Development...

5. Real-World Cloud Product Management

coursera

Learn cloud product management using the same curriculum as AWS PMs! Gain insights to impress on your first (or next) cloud computing role, and prepare to successfully complete the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam.\n\nLead instructor Nancy Wang, Director and General Manager of AWS Data Protection Services at Amazon Web Services, and Founder of Advancing Women in Tech (AWIT), teaches you the skills desired by hiring managers at the world’s top cloud providers. These skills will serve you...

6. Business Strategy Development: The Art of Differentiation

udemy
4.5
(3,084)

Learn 3 key business strategy tools. Improve your business innovation skills and drive profitable business development...

7. Software Engineering 101: Plan and Execute Better Software.

udemy
4.6
(9,607)

Software Engineering 101: Use Software Engineering to Plan and Build Amazing Software + Learn SCRUM Framework!...

8. Improving software development productivity

udemy
4.3
(299)

Improving software development productivity. Practical techniques...

9. Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Cert: Associate Cloud Engineer

udemy
4.4
(2,217)

Develop the skills you need to pass the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Associate Engineer Certification exam!...

10. IT Business Analyst & Project Managers Technical awareness

udemy
4.5
(799)

A quick introduction to software development & IT for business analyst and non technical managers overseeing IT teams...

11. Mechanical design and Product development process

udemy
4.2
(604)

Learn the basic ideas and concepts behind developing mechanical products related to mechanical engineering...

12. Technical Product Management: learn on 4 real industry cases

udemy
4.3
(930)

Boost your technicality (as a PM) or tech product skills (as an engineer) to grow in your current role...

13. Unreal Engine 5 Blueprints: Develop Your First Two Games

udemy
4.6
(321)

Create a 3D platformer and shooter using Unreal Engine 5 Blueprints. Become a game developer!...

14. Product Design Management for Agile Practitioners

udemy
4.5
(1,111)

Application of product design management principles, concepts, tools and techniques in agile product management...

15. Requirements Engineering: Software Engineering

udemy
4.4
(754)

Everything you need to know about software requirements: elicitation, analysis, documentation, validation and management...

16. The Complete Cloud Computing Software Architecture Patterns

udemy
4.7
(1,025)

Architect Large Scale Systems using Cloud Computing, Software Architecture Patterns & Modern System Design Principles...

17. GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Certification: Google Cloud

udemy
4.4
(1,560)

Learn Google Cloud - GCP with 90+ Hands-on demo Lab & make yourself fully prepared for GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Exam...

18. Google Cloud - Associate Cloud Engineer Certification Course

udemy
4.5
(488)

Learn the power of the Google Cloud Platform and prepare yourself for the Associate Cloud Engineer Certification Exam...

19. Professional Diploma in Digital Products Management

udemy
4.3
(288)

Program with business cases (Fintech, Retail Banking, Digital Business) & Interactive part...

20. Product Management Marketing: Dekker's Product Marketing MBA

udemy
4.6
(2,007)

Be a Product Marketing Manager - Product Management : Product Manager MBA : Product to Market : Product Owner Launch GTM...

Top 10 most affordable universities for vice presidents of engineering

The most affordable schools for vice presidents of engineering are United States Merchant Marine Academy, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for vice presidents of engineering 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 vice presidents of engineering.

1. United States Merchant Marine Academy

Kings Point, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$1,080

Cost of attendance

6,646

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

5. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,140

Cost of attendance

14,430

6. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for vice presidents of engineering

The hardest universities for vice presidents of engineering to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for vice presidents of engineering 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 vice presidents of engineering 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. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,545

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

9. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for vice presidents of engineering

The easiest schools for vice presidents of engineering to get into are Texas A&M; University - Kingsville, the university of texas at el paso, and oklahoma wesleyan university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a vice president of engineering 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 vice presidents of engineering.

1. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

2. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

4. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

5. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

6. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)

Lemont Furnace, PA • Private

Admissions rate

80%

SAT average

1,067

7. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois

DuBois, PA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,079

8. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

9. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

10. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

Average vice president of engineering salary by education level

According to our data, vice presidents of engineering with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $185,987 annually. Vice presidents of engineering with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $168,461.
Vice president of engineering education levelVice president of engineering salary
Master's Degree$168,461
Bachelor's Degree$154,037
Doctorate Degree$185,987

Vice president of engineering education FAQs

Search for vice president of engineering jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

Browse executive management jobs