Radio Frequency Engineer Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a radio frequency engineer. Radio frequency engineers usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or computer networking. 67% of radio frequency engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 10,072 real radio frequency engineer resumes to see exactly what radio frequency engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for radio frequency engineers are the The University of Texas at Arlington and the The University of Texas at Arlington.

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

There are certain radio frequency engineer certifications that you should consider. These radio frequency engineer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and Telecommunications Master Engineer Certification.

What education do you need to become a radio frequency engineer?

What degree do you need to be a radio frequency engineer?

The most common degree for radio frequency engineers is bachelor's degree, with 67% of radio frequency engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 20% and master's degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 67%
  • Master's, 20%
  • Associate, 9%
  • Diploma, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a radio frequency engineer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a radio frequency engineer. 62% of radio frequency engineers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a radio frequency engineer include electrical engineering technology and computer networking.

Most common colleges for radio frequency engineers

Radio frequency engineers often get their degrees at The University of Texas at Arlington, DeVry University, and University of Illinois at Chicago. Here are the most common colleges for radio frequency engineers in the US based on their resumes.
Radio Frequency Engineer Common College
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Percentages
ascdesc
The University of Texas at Arlington9.91%
DeVry University7.62%
University of Illinois at Chicago7.47%
University of Maryland - College Park6.71%
University of South Florida6.40%

Best majors for radio frequency engineers

Best colleges for radio frequency engineers

The best colleges for radio frequency engineers are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A radio frequency 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 radio frequency 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 radio frequency engineers.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

Website

www.northeastern.edu

Address

360 Huntington Ave, 110CH, Boston, MA 02115

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $57,800 per year

Net Price: $31,855 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 19.34%
SAT Average - 1466
ACT Average - 33
Most Popular Majors
Engineering
Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Communication

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

Website

www.csulb.edu

Address

1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840-0115

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $40,000 per year

Net Price: $8,982 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 31.21%
SAT Average - 1146
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Business
Communication
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

3. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

Website

https://www.purdue.edu

Address

Hovde Hall of Administration, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2040

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $49,000 per year

Net Price: $12,527 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 57.98%
SAT Average - 1309
ACT Average - 29
Most Popular Majors
Business
Communication
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
C

4. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

Website

www.cpp.edu

Address

3801 W Temple Ave, Pomona, CA 91768

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $42,900 per year

Net Price: $12,842 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 55.15%
SAT Average - 1143
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Communication

5. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,785

Enrollment

7,711

Website

www.famu.edu

Address

1601 South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32307

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $31,800 per year

Net Price: $15,341 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 38.86%
SAT Average - 1097
ACT Average - 21
Most Popular Majors
Business
Engineering Technology
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mathematics

20 best online courses for radio frequency engineers

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Top 10 most affordable universities for radio frequency engineers

The most affordable schools for radio frequency engineers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.

If the best universities for radio frequency 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 radio frequency engineers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,798

Cost of Attendance

18,306

Website

www.csulb.edu

Address

1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840-0115

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $40,000 per year

Net Price: $8,982 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 31.21%
SAT Average - 1146
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Business
Communication
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$8,306

Cost of Attendance

16,091

Website

www.farmingdale.edu/

Address

2350 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735-1021

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $44,800 per year

Net Price: $9,268 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 46.07%
SAT Average - 1091
ACT Average - 22
Most Popular Majors
Business
Engineering Technology
Electrical Engineering
Mathematics

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,940

Cost of Attendance

13,508

Website

bayamon.inter.edu

Address

500 Road 830, Bayamon, PR 00957

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $19,300 per year

Net Price: $8,490 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 30.72%

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,620

Cost of Attendance

18,136

Website

www.byu.edu

Address

Main Campus, Provo, UT 84602

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $46,600 per year

Net Price: $13,181 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 64.47%
SAT Average - 1324
ACT Average - 29
Most Popular Majors
Engineering Technology
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Computer Information Systems
C

5. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,353

Cost of Attendance

21,302

Website

www.cpp.edu

Address

3801 W Temple Ave, Pomona, CA 91768

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $42,900 per year

Net Price: $12,842 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 55.15%
SAT Average - 1143
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Communication

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for radio frequency engineers

The hardest universities for radio frequency engineers to get into are Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for radio frequency 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 radio frequency 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. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

19%

SAT Average

1,466

Website

www.northeastern.edu

Address

360 Huntington Ave, 110CH, Boston, MA 02115

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $57,800 per year

Net Price: $31,855 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 19.34%
SAT Average - 1466
ACT Average - 33
Most Popular Majors
Engineering
Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Communication

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

4%

SAT Average

1,497

Website

www.stanford.edu/

Address

450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-2061

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $92,800 per year

Net Price: $12,265 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 4.36%
SAT Average - 1497
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Engineering Technology
Computer Science
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,508

Website

www.northwestern.edu

Address

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $71,900 per year

Net Price: $24,840 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.47%
SAT Average - 1508
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Engineering Technology
Business
Communication
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering

4. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions Rate

51%

SAT Average

1,395

Website

www.smu.edu

Address

6425 Boaz St, Dallas, TX 75275-0221

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $68,100 per year

Net Price: $36,575 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 51.23%
SAT Average - 1395
ACT Average - 31
Most Popular Majors
Business
Electrical Engineering
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Mathematics

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions Rate

10%

SAT Average

1,514

Website

www.vanderbilt.edu

Address

2101 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37240

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $61,900 per year

Net Price: $20,253 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 9.61%
SAT Average - 1514
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Engineering Technology
Computer Science
Mathematics
Business
Mechanical Engineering

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for radio frequency engineers

The easiest schools for radio frequency engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.

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

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions Rate

96%

SAT Average

1,139

Website

https://www.oit.edu

Address

3201 Campus Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97601-8801

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $52,900 per year

Net Price: $17,083 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 95.85%
SAT Average - 1139
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering
Business

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions Rate

69%

SAT Average

1,070

Website

www.captechu.edu

Address

11301 Springfield Rd, Laurel, MD 20708

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $53,000 per year

Net Price: $22,000 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 68.90%
SAT Average - 1070
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Computer Information Systems
Engineering Technology
Electrical Engineering
Business
Computer Engineering

3. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

91%

SAT Average

1,094

Website

altoona.psu.edu/

Address

3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601-3777

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $43,600 per year

Net Price: $24,274 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 90.88%
SAT Average - 1094
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Engineering Technology
Computer Information Systems
Engineering
Communication
Mathematics

4. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

87%

SAT Average

1,107

Website

berks.psu.edu/

Address

Tulpehocken Rd, Reading, PA 19610-1016

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $43,600 per year

Net Price: $24,278 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 87.23%
SAT Average - 1107
ACT Average - 24
Most Popular Majors
Business
Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Information Systems
Communication

5. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions Rate

92%

SAT Average

1,149

Website

https://www.sdstate.edu/

Address

Box 2201, Adm 324, Brookings, SD 57007-1898

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $41,100 per year

Net Price: $19,503 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 92.43%
SAT Average - 1149
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Communication
Mathematics
Electrical Engineering

Average radio frequency engineer salary by education level

According to our data, radio frequency engineers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $105,335 annually. Radio frequency engineers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $96,104.
Radio Frequency Engineer education level
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Radio Frequency Engineer salary
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Master's Degree$96,104
Bachelor's Degree$86,354
Doctorate Degree$105,335

Radio Frequency Engineer Education FAQs

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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.

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