To become an electrical engineer, students must earn a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university program. Earning a master’s degree in this field can help students advance their careers and take on leadership positions.
Online bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering typically take four years to complete. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual tuition for an undergraduate degree program is $7,998 at public universities and $34,923 at private institutions. Meanwhile, the average annual tuition for master’s degrees is $12,596 at public schools and $28,017 at private universities.
The median annual salary for electrical engineers is $109,010, and computer hardware engineers make $138,080. Meanwhile, electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians earn $72,800 on average.
How To Choose an Online Electrical Engineering Program
Choose your area of study
Many online electrical engineering programs will allow you to select a concentration and focus your studies on a particular niche in this field, such as power systems, communications, computer science, controls, or data analysis. If you already know what you would like to do after you graduate, look for programs that closely match these career goals.
Research schools and programs
You should only apply to institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate schools to ensure they provide students with a high-quality education. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
You should also look for programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), as this is essential for obtaining a professional license as an engineer.
Making a list of questions can give students direction in their research efforts. These questions may include:
- Who are the faculty members, and what are their credentials?
- What student support services does the school offer?
- What are the graduation requirements?
To learn more about any schools that you’re interested in, you can visit the school’s website, contact an admissions counselor, follow the school on social media, or attend an in-person or virtual open house.
Prepare for tests and applications
Application requirements vary by school and program. Typically, an application for an online electrical engineering program will include the following:
- Resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all previously completed education
- Personal statement of interest
Some bachelor’s degree programs in electrical engineering may require SAT or ACT scores. At the master’s level, students may have to submit GRE scores and have prerequisite coursework or a certain undergraduate GPA.
Students applying to multiple programs simultaneously will benefit from creating a spreadsheet to avoid missing necessary steps. And you should always contact an admissions counselor to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding program requirements and deadlines.
Select your program
Selecting a program involves considering every aspect of the application process, including the costs associated with each one a student submits. To avoid overspending, students may want to pick their top two or three programs to start the process and then send in other applications later if they receive a denial.
Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again. Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Do you want your program to be as online as possible, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has a fair amount of in-person requirements? Some programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
There are numerous financial aid resources available to students enrolling in an online electrical engineering degree program. Start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal student loans, grants, scholarships, fellowships, and work-study jobs.
Students should also explore scholarships, grants, and other funding from local organizations, nonprofits, religious organizations, and professional development groups. Students working full-time while attending school can talk to their employers about tuition assistance programs.
Contact the school’s financial aid department early for information about all opportunities. They can help students explore many avenues for financial assistance.
Best 50 Accredited Online Electrical Engineering Programs
How We Rank Schools
This list features some of the best online electrical engineering degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education. Many of the schools on our list have been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of engineering and tech-related programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online electrical engineering degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, including U.S. News & World Report, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect from an Online Electrical Engineering Program?
Students in an online electrical engineering degree program can expect to build science, math, physics, and computer skills acquired from courses and lab work. They study electrical systems, devices, and circuits to create or improve devices to make them easier to use.
Electrical engineers work on anything that uses electricity, plugs, or motors. Depending on the concentration, students may focus on areas such as robotics, nanotechnology, biosystems, or energy. Other concentrations include mobile and satellite communications, fiber optics, and electrical machinery.
Some programs require internships or co-op experiences at the bachelor’s level. In a master’s program, internships or practicums are usually part of the curriculum, along with a final project or thesis.
Online bachelor’s degree programs take full-time students four years, while master’s programs take two years. However, students who enroll in accelerated programs can complete their degrees in less time by taking classes at a faster pace.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online electrical engineering degree program
- Electromagnetics. In this introductory course, students study electricity and magnetics and various theories and laws, such as Coulomb’s, Gauss’s, Biot-Savart, and Ampere’s Laws. Other topics include conductors, capacitors, induction, and torque.
- Engineering Ethics. Many programs offer this class to sophomores, teaching students the importance of integrity in the field, legal aspects, leadership, and how to handle various issues that may arise as an engineer.
- Technology Management. In this third-year course, students learn how to manage people working in technology. They also learn how to meet the technological needs of companies, including identifying needs, selecting the right equipment, and acquiring and protecting the technology.
- Design Projects. Before graduation, students will often need to complete a design project that uses their engineering skills. They design, create, test, and oversee the project from start to finish.
- Wireless Communications. In this master’s-level course, students explore the designs of cell phones, internet systems, video, radio, and other wireless products to discover areas for improvement.
- Computer Design. Students learn how computers are made, including processors, memory storage, hardware, and software, in this master’s-level course.
What Can I Do With an Online Electrical Engineering Degree?
Career outlook
An electrical engineering degree equips students with valuable skills and knowledge, such as circuit design, systems analysis, and signal processing, that they can apply to a wide range of career paths. Graduates of electrical engineering programs go on to work in diverse industries, including telecommunications, electronics, power generation, and aerospace.
A bachelor’s degree qualifies graduates for most entry-level and mid-level electrical engineering positions. Students can complete internships and co-op programs to stand out more to employers, and graduates can seek a master’s degree to make themselves eligible for advanced or leadership positions.
Some of the most common occupations for workers with this degree include:
- Electrical and electronics engineer — Design, develop, build, test, and maintain electrical systems and devices.
- Median annual salary: $109,010
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 5%
- New jobs projected: 17,800 per year
- Aerospace engineer — Design, develop, and test aircraft and aerospace products such as missiles, spacecraft, and satellites.
- Median annual salary: $130,720
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 6%
- New jobs projected: 3,800 per year
- Computer hardware engineer — Research, design, develop, and update computer systems and hardware components.
- Median annual salary: $138,080
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 5%
- New jobs projected: 4,600 per year
Online Electrical Engineering Degree Program Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online electrical engineering degree program?
As application requirements vary from school to school, students should always double-check with the school’s admissions office before applying. Admissions counselors can also help students organize application materials to ensure they meet deadlines.
Most online electrical engineering degree programs ask students to submit an application and fee, as well as supporting documents like official transcripts, letters of recommendation, resumes, personal essays, and standardized test scores. For undergraduate students, the most common standardized tests are the SAT or ACT, while graduate students usually submit GRE scores.
How much does an online electrical engineering degree cost?
The cost of an online electrical engineering degree will vary based on multiple factors, including whether a student is attending a public or private institution. Private universities are typically more expensive, but they charge a flat tuition rate regardless of where students live. Public schools are usually less expensive, but they may charge higher tuition rates for students who are from out-of-state.
How long does it take to earn an online electrical engineering degree?
Students must earn a minimum of 120 credits to get their bachelor’s in electrical engineering degree, which typically takes four years of full-time study. A part-time student may take 5-6 years to complete the degree. A master’s in electrical engineering requires a minimum of 30 credits, which can take 1-2 years to complete, depending on a student’s enrollment status.
Is an online electrical engineering degree worth it?
Individuals who wish to enter electrical engineering or related industries will highly benefit from the completion of a bachelor’s degree. It’s a prerequisite for nearly all entry-level positions in the field. As an electrical engineer, you’ll have access to particularly high salaries — the median annual income for an electrical engineer is $109,010, while the median annual income of all occupations is $48,060.