Those of you seeking the automotive engineering salary california and automotive engineering degree requirements need not look further as the article below gives you all the information you require and more. Make interest-free payment plans with good credit. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to go about obtaining an education in this field so use the following links to learn what your options are: best colleges in California, Los Angeles Auto Collage and San Bernardino Valley College.

California is home to some of the most prestigious schools for automotive engineering in the country. Bearing in mind the limited space available, we have also included some universities which offer limited automotive courses.  If you are seeking to learn automotive engineering colleges in California for the first time, the subject might seem overpowering for those who have not researched the subject before, but you are likely to be fascinated by the information you come across. 

Best Automotive Engineering Colleges In California

Mechanical Engineering is a broader discipline of which automotive is a specialty. Consequently, most universities in California do not offer automotive engineering as a Four year BS degree, rather as an option of mechanical engineering.

So, to become an automotive engineer, you must begin as a mechanical engineer at your undergraduate level before you can get into the automotive subset in your graduate studies.

Below are the top automotive engineering schools in California arranged in no particular order. These schools listed here offer an ABET-accredited automotive engineering program but not as BS degree.

The basics of our selection of these schools are their rankings, accreditation, acceptance rate, tuition, graduation rate, and other relevant factors.

We got our data from reliable sources, testimonials, interviews, and also by contacting individual schools. Below is the list of the schools, you will have to read further to get information on the various degree programs offered, tuition info, and program options for these schools.

• University of California–Berkeley
• Stanford University
• University of California-Davis 
• Santa Clara University
• California Polytechnic State University
• University of California – Los Angeles
• University of California – San Diego
• California Institute of Technology
• University of California-Irvine
• University of Southern California 

1. University of California–Berkeley

• Address: Irvine, CA 92697, U.S.A
• Tuition: $53,316.50(Residents); $58,961.50(non-residents)
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

UC Berkeley is one of the public universities in the University of California system. This school’s College of Engineering ranks 5th in QS and 14th in the ranking of best engineering schools in the world and consistently ranked as one of the top automotive engineering schools in the world.

In fact, the UC Berkeley features one of the most active, innovative, and productive teaching and research laboratories worldwide.

The automotive engineering program curriculum offers bachelor and postgraduates degrees that provide students the opportunity to learn how to design, manufacture, test, and improve mechanical systems.

2. California Institute of Technology

• Address: Pasadena, CA
• Tuition: $54,600(undergraduate); $54,537(Graduate)
• Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

California Institute of Technology is a great place to consider if you want to get a degree in automotive engineering. The school offers 19 bachelor’s, 15 masters, and 10 doctor’s degrees in ME.

The school’s undergraduate program prepares students for promising careers in automotive and related engineering fields, and for continuing on to graduate school.

Graduates of this institute have can demonstrate leadership roles in academia, industry, and government in areas of rapidly advancing interdisciplinary technology related to fluid, solid, thermal energy.

If you enroll in this school, you will consider yourself lucky because Caltech is a top-ranked institution. The school came in at #4 in College Factual’s most recent rankings for the best schools for ME majors. This puts it in the top 5% of the country in this field of study. Not just that, It is also ranked #1 in California.

3. Stanford University

• Address: Stanford, CA
• Tuition: $57,861
• Accreditation:  Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Stanford University is one of the most popular schools to study Automotive Engineering in California. This school rank 7 out of 1,727 schools nationwide.

The ME department at Stanford offers undergraduate programs that is aimed at providing students with practical experiences that will prepare them for entry-level work as Automotive engineers or for graduate study in engineering.

Similarly, the graduate program aligns academic course work with research to prepare scholars in specialized areas within the ME field. They focus on automatic controls, energy systems, fluid mechanics, design, and more.

If you are interested in studying Automotive Engineering at Stanford, you have to apply to the university through the Stanford Undergraduate Admissions Office.

4. University of California-Davis 

• Address: Davis, CA
• Tuition:  $28,700(out-of-state); $7,877(in-state)
• Accreditation:  Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

UC-Davis is another great option for individuals interested in an Automotive Engineering degree. This institution is fully accredited and ranks 10th position for overall college quality in the state of California.

UC-Davis features a bachelor’s and master’s program in Automotive Engineering. Students begin their studies with a rigorous series of courses in mathematics, natural sciences, and basic engineering to prepare themselves for more advanced study.

However, towards the final year, students study more advanced essential engineering topics. They are allowed to choose their area specialties such as topics as vehicle stability, mechatronics, combustion, and the environment or wind-tunnel experimentation.

Additionally, graduates of UC-Davis generally make an average of $61,700 at the beginning of their careers

5. Santa Clara University

• Address: Santa Clara, CA
• Tuition: $12,440
• Accreditation:  Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

If you are interested in a more advanced degree in Automotive engineering, Santa Clara University is the first option you should consider. SCU is a top Automotive engineering school in California and ranks #19 as the most popular school in CA.

The school ME curriculum features courses that prepare students for work in research and development, product design, or materials engineering at top firms in and beyond the Bay Area.

In addition, Santa Clara offers 76% financial aid in the form of loans and scholarships to students in need.

6. California Polytechnic State University

• Address: San Luis Obispo 
• Tuition: $23,715 
• Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Cal Poly is a good place for an Automotive engineering program. This school ranks 20th out of 112 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

Cal Poly features degree programs that emphasize fundamental, experimental, and research-based approaches to the full spectrum of mechanical engineering disciplines.

This program provides students at all levels with skills, knowledge, and perspective on the fast-changing field of Automotive engineering discipline.

7. University of California – Los Angeles

• Address: Los Angeles CA 
• Tuition: $32,588 
• Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Those interested in advanced degrees will find UC-Los Angeles as a great option. This school ranks as one of the best Automotive engineering universities in California. The ME program of this school has a total enrollment of 308 undergraduates and also features higher degree levels programs.

The department of ME produced 211 graduates in 2015 with students earning 104 Bachelor’s degrees, 82 Master’s degrees, and 25 Doctoral degrees.

UC-Los Angeles, apart from featuring a standard ME program, the school also offer financial aid in the form of loan and scholarship to deserving students.

8. University of California – San Diego

• Address: Los Angeles CA 
• Tuition: $11,442 (in-state); $26,544 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

UC- San Diego is a popular and one of the best Automotive engineering colleges in California. The ME department recorded over 214 graduates last year.

The ME programs in this school provide students with a strong component in laboratory experimentation, numerical computation, and engineering design.

Program curriculum features homework problems, laboratory, and computer courses which include student-initiated projects.

Automotive engineering graduates of the first level degree from UC-San Diego usually make about $61,000 at the beginning of their careers.

9. University of California-Irvine

• Address: Irvine, CA 
• Tuition: $11,442 
• Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

The University of California-Irvine offers 4 Automotive Engineering Degree programs. These programs offer courses that provide engineering fundamentals and technical electives that allow students to study particular areas of interest.

The course curriculum features key concepts in Energy Systems and Environmental Engineering, Flow Physics and Propulsion Systems, and Design of Mechanical Systems.

The school also provides Independent research opportunities that allow students to pursue other avenues for focusing on their studies.

10. University of Southern California 

• Address: Los Angeles CA
• Tuition: $12,000
• Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

University of Southern California is a large private institution. The school is accredited and offers a Master of Science program in Automotive Engineering.

The program features a curriculum that provides students with the technical education needed for engineering professionals in various industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and power, utilities, petrochemical, design, manufacturing, and transportation.

Students in this program can choose from the core areas of study namely; Thermal and Fluid Sciences, Engineering Design, Mechanics and Materials and Advanced Manufacturing

The courses listed above are designed to prepare students for doctoral programs, as well as for continuing your engineering career in the industry.

automotive engineering salary california

The field of engineering is growing rapidly in California; Sys-Con Media reports on a statewide movement to increase funding to engineering programs all over the state.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that annual pay for automotive mechanics and technicians was $40, 710 in 2018.

 O*Net, an online data portal reports that there will be an expected 10% increase in demand between 2010 and 2020. It indicates that the average salary for an automotive engineer is $91,100 per year.

automotive engineering degree requirements

In this section, we will look at the entry requirements that students need to acquire automotive engineering education from a high school up to the graduate level. This is very important as it will guide a student that wishes to pursue a career in this field.

Automotive Engineering requirements at High School level

At the high school level, students that dream of acquiring an automotive engineering education should have a comprehensive foundation in:

• Physics
• Math
• Chemistry
• English

Knowledge of these courses will give students a deep understanding of the major concepts in any engineering field. In addition, automotive engineering needs people that are very good at communication. This means that students at the high school level must possess effective oral and written communication skills. They will have to take language classes including writing and speech very seriously.

Another option is to undertake available college classes that will prepare them for university engineering coursework and get a head start on building college credits.

Automotive Engineering requirements at the university level

While choosing a university for your education, ensure that you choose one that is accredited by ABET.

Additionally, many universities either require or offer some classes that allow potential engineering students to explore the different specializations within the field. Some schools even require students to pass proficiency tests in math and physics before entering their programs.

The entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering include A-level passes in Physics, Math, and Chemistry.

On the other hand, many institutions do not offer a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering. As a result, many aspiring automotive engineering students to start their education first in the mechanical engineering field. This reason is that automotive engineering is a branch of mechanical engineering and many of the classes are the same.

However, some universities offer mechanical engineering programs that include automotive engineering courses including:

• Automobile dynamics
• Automotive electronics
• Engine parts
• Diesel engine theory
• Alternative energy sources
• Fuel cell systems
• Powertrain dynamics

Acquiring a master’s degree in automotive engineering is not compulsory before you can go into the field. This is because such a degree will give you advanced and specialized knowledge and skills in thefield.

Hence, the follwoing are the entry requirements for a master’s degree program in automotive engineering:

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field
• Official transcripts
• Some institutions require a minimum GPA of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale
• Letters of recommendation
• GRE scores

While admission requirements vary among institutions, a bachelor’s degree, prior experience, official transcripts, references, and test scores are similar.

During the master’s degree program, your studies will focus on:

• Design and manufacturing
• Energy and environment
• Materials
• Noise and vibration
• Powertrain
• Dynamics and control
• Electronics and computer software
• Ergonomics

uc davis automotive engineering

• Bachelor of Science

Are you interested in studying objects and systems in motion? Mechanical engineers use basic science to design and manufacture complex engineering systems. They apply physical and mechanical principles to the development of machines, energy conversion systems, materials and equipment for guidance and control. Work in this broad field of engineering requires a thorough knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mass transfer, electricity, manufacturing processes and economics.

Major Requirements

You will begin with a rigorous series of courses in mathematics, natural sciences and basic engineering to prepare yourself for more advanced study. At the upper-division level, you will study more advanced essential engineering topics. In your fourth year, you will choose an area of concentration and begin tailoring your major to your own interests. You may study such specialized topics as vehicle stability, mechatronics, combustion and the environment or wind-tunnel experimentation.

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Master of Science

The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program offers both Ph.D. and M.S. degrees. Research within the department advances design in diverse fields such as manufacturing, micro- and nano-technology, vehicles, biomechanics, aerostructures, sensors, controls, mechatronics, combustion, and energy systems. Graduate student researchers acquire skills to address both fundamental issues in these areas and to design complex, multi-component systems. Both Ph.D. and M.S. degrees are available in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program. Manufacturing, micro- and nanotechnology, vehicles, biomechanics, aerostructures, sensors, controls, mechatronics, combustion, and energy systems are all areas where the department’s research promotes design. Graduate student researchers learn how to address both fundamental challenges and complicated, multi-component systems in these fields.

Mechanical engineering, mathematics, electrical engineering, materials science, biology, and nanotechnology are all studied in this highly collaborative setting, which stimulates multidisciplinary research. Students receive a qualitative diploma. Both Ph.D. and M.S. degrees are available in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program. Manufacturing, micro- and nanotechnology, vehicles, biomechanics, aerostructures, sensors, controls, mechatronics, combustion, and energy systems are all areas where the department’s research promotes design. Obtaining a graduate student researcher. The highly collaborative environment fosters multidisciplinary research while drawing on the study of mechanical engineering, mathematics, electrical engineering, materials science, biology, and nanotechnology. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in mechanical and aeronautical engineering.