Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Weapons engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a weapons engineer. Weapons engineers usually study mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or industrial engineering. 73% of weapons engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 29 real weapons engineer resumes to see exactly what weapons engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for weapons engineers are the Florida State University and the Florida State University.
There are also many online weapons engineer courses to help get the education required to be a weapons engineer.
What education do you need to become a weapons engineer?
What degree do you need to be a weapons engineer?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- Master's, 14%
- Associate, 14%
What should I major in to become a weapons engineer?
- Computer Science, 8%
- Other Majors, 46%
Most common colleges for weapons engineers
| Weapons engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Florida State University | 7.14% |
| Oklahoma State University | 7.14% |
| Western New England University | 7.14% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 7.14% |
| University of the Cumberlands | 7.14% |
Best majors for weapons engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechanical Engineering | 19.2% |
| 2 | Aerospace Engineering | 15.4% |
| 3 | Industrial Engineering | 11.5% |
| 4 | Computer Science | 7.7% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 7.7% |
Best colleges for weapons engineers
The best colleges for weapons engineers are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A weapons 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 weapons 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 weapons engineers.
1. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
2. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
8. University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$15,730
Enrollment
18,830
9. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
10. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
20 best online courses for weapons 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. The Need for Systems Engineering
Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to designing, realizing, and managing complex systems. In this course, you will be introduced to principles of systems engineering and its importance to the development of complex systems. You will learn to identify and define systems, manage their complexity, and describe their life cycle. The course uses real-world engineering examples to address how the systems engineering approach can address challenges. This course can be taken for...
3. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...
4. Product Development & Systems Engineering
The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...
5. Power Engineering: Power System Analysis - Part 1
Start your career in electrical engineering and power engineering by learning the fundamentals of power system analysis...
6. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )
A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...
7. Unreal Engine 5: Soulslike Melee Combat System
Make a complete third person souls-like action RPG melee combat system in Unreal Engine 5!...
8. Electrical Power Engineering Principles
Learn all the basic theories and principles of electrical engineering...
9. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)
Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...
10. Practical - ISTQB - Test Automation Engineer Course 2023
Learn the concepts, methods and tools to pass the ISTQB - Advanced Level - Test Automation Engineer Certification Exam...
11. ETAP Power System Analysis For Electrical Engineers
Learn ETAP, Power System Analysis and Supporting Hand Calculations From Scratch...
12. Electric Circuits for Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Start your career in electrical & electronics engineering by learning everything about electric circuits and electronics...
13. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Fundamentals and Advanced
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Mechanics of Airplanes - Aerodynamics, Flight Maneuvers, JET Engines...
14. Electricity for Electronics, Electrical Engineering A-Z 2023
Fundamentals of Electricity & Electric Circuits for Electronics - Circuit Design - Electrical Engineering...
15. Etap for Electrical Engineers
Design, Simulate and Analyze Power systems in Etap...
16. Unreal Engine: Character Skill System
Master the tools used to build Fortnite as we craft our very own character skill system using the Unreal Engine!...
17. Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Explained
Learn how things work! Boilers, engines, valves, transformers, pumps, learn it all in this constantly growing course!...
18. Complete Etap course for Power Electrical Engineering
The easiest way to become a Pro Designer in Electrical Power Systems using Etap from scratch!...
19. Electrical Engineering: Power Electronics Masterclass
Further your knowledge in power engineering by learning to design rectifiers, dc-to-dc converters, and inverters...
20. Electrical Engineering Simulations with Etap
Guide in designing, and simulating power circuits, motor and transformer related circuitry using etap...
Top 10 most affordable universities for weapons engineers
The most affordable schools for weapons engineers are California State University - Long Beach, hunter college of the city university of new york, and university of florida.
If the best universities for weapons 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 weapons engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for weapons engineers
The hardest universities for weapons engineers to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for weapons 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 weapons 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. 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
8. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
9. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for weapons engineers
The easiest schools for weapons engineers to get into are Barry University, university of houston - downtown, and texas a&m; university - kingsville.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a weapons 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 weapons engineers.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
3. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
4. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
5. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
6. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
7. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
8. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
9. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
10. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
Average weapons engineer salary by education level
| Weapons engineer education level | Weapons engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $115,064 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $97,730 |
| Doctorate Degree | $127,933 |
Weapons engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
Search for weapons engineer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025