2027 Online Electrical Engineering Master's Programs Under $20,000: Total Tuition and Required Fees
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An advertised low tuition rate can be misleading if an online electrical engineering master's program adds mandatory fees, requires extra prerequisite courses, or charges different rates by residency. This matters because the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a $111,910 median annual wage for electrical engineers in 2024.
This guide helps working engineers compare under-$20,000 options using total cost, program format, accreditation, completion time, and career alignment so they can choose a degree that fits both their budget and goals.
Key Things You Should Know
- An online electrical engineering master's can remain below $20,000 when a student completes the required credits at a flat online rate, but tuition alone is not the final price.
- A 30-credit program priced at $600 per credit costs $18,000 before mandatory university, technology, course, and graduation fees; a small per-term fee can push the final total above the target.
- Affordability should be weighed against accreditation, prerequisite requirements, specialization options, delivery format, and career fit; the $111,910 2024 median pay for electrical engineers does not mean every master's degree produces the same return.
How Much Does an Online Electrical Engineering Master's Degree Under $20,000 Cost in Total?
An online electrical engineering master's degree under $20,000 should mean that tuition plus unavoidable institutional charges stay below that amount for the credits required to graduate. It does not necessarily include optional books, a new computer, travel for a residency, or lost income from reducing work hours.
The most useful comparison is the published cost to finish, not the lowest per-credit figure displayed on a program page. Many master's programs require roughly 30 to 36 credits, though programs with bridge coursework, thesis options, or extensive specialization requirements can require more.
This comparison shows how credit count and mandatory charges can change the affordability result. The figures are planning examples rather than quotes; students should obtain a written estimate from each university before enrolling.
| Cost scenario | Required credits | Tuition calculation | Required fees | Estimated total | Under $20,000? |
| Low flat-rate program | 30 | 30 × $500 = $15,000 | $750 | $15,750 | Yes |
| Moderate per-credit program | 30 | 30 × $600 = $18,000 | $1,200 | $19,200 | Yes |
| Higher-credit program | 36 | 36 × $525 = $18,900 | $1,200 | $20,100 | No |
| Low tuition with high term fees | 30 | 30 × $575 = $17,250 | $3,000 | $20,250 | No |
For a fair comparison, ask the admissions or student-account office whether the estimate includes every required charge for online graduate students. If a school cannot confirm whether its rate applies throughout your enrollment, treat the advertised figure as preliminary rather than guaranteed.
A lower-cost online program can be a strong choice for an engineer who already has a suitable undergraduate foundation, wants technical depth, and does not need a campus laboratory or extensive career-switching support. Paying more may make sense when a program offers a concentration directly tied to a target role, required laboratory access, employer connections, or a format that prevents delayed graduation.
What Required Fees Can Increase the Cost of an Online Electrical Engineering Master's Degree Beyond $20,000?
Required fees are charges a student cannot avoid while completing the degree. They may be billed once, every term, per credit, or per course, so their effect depends on how quickly the student progresses through the program.
Before comparing schools, request a fee schedule covering the full planned enrollment period. The following charges deserve particular attention because they can materially change a program's total cost.
- Application, matriculation, and enrollment fees: One-time charges may be modest individually but still belong in a total-cost estimate.
- Technology and distance-learning fees: Online students may pay charges for learning platforms, remote proctoring, instructional technology, or online services.
- Student service and university fees: Some institutions assess these every semester even when students use few campus services.
- Course, laboratory, and software fees: Digital signal processing, embedded systems, power, controls, and communications courses may require specialized tools or materials.
- Graduation, transcript, and comprehensive-exam fees: These are often charged near the end of the program and can be missed in early estimates.
- Required residency or travel costs: A primarily online degree may still include an orientation, lab, capstone presentation, or examination requirement.
Do not assume that a fee listed as "campus-based" does not apply to online learners. Conversely, do not automatically add every fee shown on a university-wide schedule. Ask which fees apply specifically to your program, enrollment level, and distance-learning status.
A practical total-cost calculation is: required credits × applicable tuition rate + all mandatory per-term fees × expected terms + one-time required fees. Add a separate personal budget for optional or variable expenses, including textbooks, hardware, travel, and professional certification preparation.
How Does Per-Credit Tuition Affect the Total Cost of an Online Electrical Engineering Master's Degree Under $20,000?
Per-credit tuition matters only when considered alongside the number of credits needed for graduation. A program with a lower rate can cost more than another option if it requires substantially more credits or if a student must complete prerequisite courses before starting graduate-level electrical engineering work.
Use this simple calculation: published online tuition per credit × degree credits = base tuition. Then add required fees. For example, a 30-credit degree at $625 per credit has base tuition of $18,750, leaving only $1,250 below the $20,000 threshold for all mandatory fees.
Credit requirements also affect scheduling. A student taking two courses per term may finish faster and pay fewer term-based fees than a student taking one course at a time, but only if that pace is realistic alongside work and family responsibilities. Taking an unsustainable load can lead to withdrawals, repeated courses, and a higher final cost.
Program structure is just as important as the price per credit. Some electrical engineering degrees are thesis-based Master of Science programs, while others are course-based Master of Engineering or professional master's programs. Thesis tracks may offer research depth but can add time if advising, research, or defense requirements extend beyond the standard course sequence.
Students evaluating technical online degrees can also review how credit load affects completion in architecture programs online. Although architecture and electrical engineering have different curricula and professional requirements, both illustrate why an accelerated schedule only saves money when prerequisites and course availability support it.
Check whether tuition is locked for continuing students. A program currently below the threshold may exceed it if rates rise before completion, especially for part-time students taking several years to graduate.
Most working students should plan for approximately two to three years for an online electrical engineering master's degree, although completion time varies by course load, course sequencing, transfer credit, and whether the program has a thesis or capstone. A full-time student with continuous access to required courses may finish more quickly.
Online delivery does not always mean self-paced. Asynchronous courses let students complete weekly work on a flexible schedule, while synchronous courses require live meeting times. Hybrid programs may require periodic campus or laboratory attendance. The best format is the one that allows a student to consistently complete demanding technical coursework without extending enrollment unnecessarily.
These timeline patterns can help applicants match a study plan to their budget and availability.
| Enrollment pattern | Typical fit | Likely cost effect | Key caution |
| Full-time, continuous enrollment | Students able to reduce work commitments or study intensively | May reduce term-based fees and finish sooner | Heavy engineering course loads can be difficult to sustain |
| Part-time, two courses per term | Working engineers with predictable schedules | Often balances progress with manageable workload | Confirm all required courses are offered regularly |
| Part-time, one course per term | Students with substantial work or caregiving obligations | Can increase cumulative term fees and exposure to tuition changes | May exceed time limits or delay prerequisite sequences |
| Accelerated format | Students with strong preparation and significant study time | Can reduce time-dependent charges | Short terms may not suit laboratory-heavy or mathematically intensive courses |
Applicants interested in a compressed graduate schedule can compare the design of online 1 year masters programs. Electrical engineering programs may take longer than many accelerated professional programs because advanced courses are sequenced and prerequisites are substantial.
A common mistake is choosing a program based on its shortest advertised completion time. Instead, map each required course to the school's actual term calendar and confirm that the concentration courses you need are available in the order required.
Accreditation verifies that an institution or program has met standards established by a recognized accreditor. For an online electrical engineering master's degree, begin by confirming that the university holds institutional accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Programmatic accreditation requires a more careful interpretation. ABET accreditation is most commonly associated with undergraduate engineering programs, particularly because it can matter for the educational pathway toward Professional Engineer licensure. A master's program may be academically legitimate even if the specific graduate program is not ABET-accredited, but students pursuing licensure should verify their state board's requirements rather than relying on a general assumption.
Take these steps before applying, especially if you expect to seek licensure, change engineering specialties, or use employer tuition assistance.
- Confirm the institution's accreditation through the accreditor's official directory or a federal higher-education database.
- Ask the department whether the online degree is issued by the same academic unit as its campus-based engineering program.
- Check whether the degree title, concentration, transcript, and diploma identify electrical engineering as expected.
- For Professional Engineer goals, contact the relevant state licensing board about educational evaluation requirements.
- Ask your employer whether it has a tuition-assistance approval requirement beyond institutional accreditation.
Also examine faculty backgrounds, curriculum depth, and technical resources. Accreditation is essential due diligence, but it does not by itself establish that a program offers the power systems, embedded systems, communications, semiconductor, controls, or signal-processing preparation needed for a particular role.
Some online electrical engineering master's programs charge one nationwide rate, while others use resident and nonresident tuition or place online learners in a separate distance-learning rate category. Out-of-state pricing can therefore determine whether a degree actually remains below $20,000.
Do not infer the applicable rate from the institution's undergraduate tuition page. Graduate engineering tuition can differ by academic college, delivery format, course level, and student location. Military-affiliated rates and employer partnership discounts may also follow separate rules.
Before submitting an application, ask the university to confirm the exact rate for your residence, program, and expected start term. This checklist identifies the questions that prevent avoidable pricing surprises.
- Does the published online graduate rate apply to students in every U.S. state?
- Are online students charged resident, nonresident, or distance-learning tuition?
- Is the quoted rate guaranteed for continuing students, or can it change by academic year?
- Are there different rates for thesis, project, laboratory, or independent-study credits?
- Does the university authorize online enrollment in your state?
Residency policies vary widely, so a school that appears inexpensive for residents may not be a value option for a nonresident. Compare the final written estimate rather than assuming public institutions are always less expensive than private nonprofit institutions or that private institutions always charge more.
Transfer credits can reduce both tuition and completion time, but they are not automatic. Graduate programs often limit the number of transferable credits, require a minimum grade, restrict the age of prior coursework, and decide whether a course matches the current curriculum.
For electrical engineering students, transfer review is especially important because advanced subjects build on specific mathematical and technical foundations. A previously completed course may not substitute for a required course if the content, laboratory component, credit hours, or level of rigor differs.
Students should obtain a transfer decision in writing before treating transferred coursework as a cost reduction. These steps make the financial impact clearer.
- Request the maximum number of transfer credits allowed and the minimum grade required for each course.
- Submit official transcripts, course descriptions, syllabi, and learning outcomes when requested.
- Ask whether approved credits replace required courses or only count as electives.
- Calculate tuition using the remaining credits after written approval, not the number you hope will transfer.
- Confirm whether transfer students must still complete a minimum number of credits at the institution.
Transfer policies are common across online professional education, including best online paralegal programs, but graduate engineering departments often apply more specialized content review. A low-cost program may cease to be the least expensive option if it accepts fewer prior credits or requires several prerequisite courses.
Another common mistake is confusing graduate transfer credit with undergraduate prerequisite waiver policies. A waiver may permit entry into a class without reducing the credits needed for the master's degree.
Yes. Financial aid, employer assistance, scholarships, assistantships, and personal savings can reduce the amount a student pays out of pocket, but they do not change the program's published total price. Separate the degree's sticker cost from the net cost you expect to pay.
Federal student aid for eligible graduate students commonly begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans may be available to qualifying borrowers, subject to federal rules and borrowing limits. Loans can make enrollment possible, but they increase the long-term cost through interest and should not be treated as a discount.
Compare funding options in this order: grants and scholarships, employer tuition benefits, assistantships where available to online students, savings, and then borrowing. For each source, confirm whether it requires a minimum grade, continued employment, full-time enrollment, or repayment if the student leaves the employer.
Employees should be especially careful with tuition-reimbursement timing. Some employers reimburse only after a course is completed successfully, requiring students to finance the cost upfront. Others impose annual caps that can favor a slower enrollment pace even if that means paying additional university term fees.
Affordability research in other fields, such as a library degree, similarly shows why net price and financing terms matter alongside tuition. For engineering students, the best funding plan is one that supports completion without creating an unsustainable debt burden.
An under-$20,000 electrical engineering master's degree can be worthwhile when it addresses a defined career need: moving into a more technical specialty, qualifying for graduate-level research or development work, preparing for leadership responsibilities, or meeting an employer's preferred credential. It is less compelling when a student has not identified how the curriculum connects to a target role.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7% employment growth for electrical and electronics engineers from 2023 to 2033. That outlook indicates ongoing demand, but it is not a guarantee that a graduate degree will lead to a promotion, a particular salary, or a job in every specialty and location.
Electrical engineers may work in power generation and distribution, semiconductor and hardware design, communications, aerospace and defense, automation, embedded systems, controls, and renewable-energy systems. A master's degree is most valuable when its concentration, project work, and electives build skills relevant to the student's intended sector.
Before enrolling, compare the curriculum with actual job requirements in your target field. Strong indicators of fit include advanced circuits, digital systems, machine learning for signal processing, power electronics, control theory, communications, embedded software, or semiconductor-device coursework that aligns with the work you want to perform.
Career advancement also depends on experience, location, clearance eligibility where applicable, licensure goals, portfolio evidence, and employer demand. Students considering adjacent engineering fields can compare cost and program fit through resources on the cheapest online civil engineering degree; the principle is the same, even though civil and electrical engineering have different technical and licensure pathways.
A more expensive program may be justified when it offers a scarce specialization, research access, a strong employer network, or a required in-person component that supports a specific technical goal. A lower-cost option is often sufficient for experienced engineers whose employers value the credential and whose desired specialization is available fully online.
How Should Students Choose the Best-Value Flat-Rate Online Electrical Engineering Master's Program?
A flat-rate online program can simplify budgeting because every student pays the same tuition regardless of residence, but "flat rate" does not automatically mean low total cost. The best-value option is the program that delivers the necessary technical preparation at a predictable final price and in a schedule you can complete.
Use the following comparison criteria after narrowing your list to programs with a written estimate below $20,000.
| Decision factor | What to verify | Why it affects value |
| Total required cost | Tuition, mandatory fees, expected terms, graduation charges, and required residencies | Prevents a low advertised price from becoming an over-budget degree |
| Credit requirement | Credits needed after prerequisite and transfer decisions | Determines base tuition and time to completion |
| Curriculum and concentration | Required courses, electives, capstone or thesis, and specialization availability | Shows whether the degree supports the intended technical role |
| Format and scheduling | Asynchronous, live, hybrid, term length, and course rotation | Influences whether a working student can progress without delays |
| Accreditation and recognition | Institutional accreditation, engineering department standing, and licensure relevance | Supports employer confidence and future education plans |
| Student support | Faculty access, tutoring, career support, technical support, and advising | Can matter more than small tuition differences for students changing specialties |
Make a final decision only after comparing identical assumptions: the same number of remaining credits, the same expected enrollment pace, and the same definition of required fees. A program at $19,500 with a suitable power systems concentration and reliable asynchronous scheduling may be a better value than a $15,000 program that lacks the courses needed for your next role.
Red flags include unclear online tuition tables, a fee schedule that cannot be applied to distance learners, vague statements about accreditation, limited access to required courses, and promises of career outcomes without verifiable details. Ask for current information in writing and retain it with your application materials.
Other Things You Should Know About Electrical Engineering
Most online electrical engineering master’s programs require 30 to 36 credit hours. At $20,000 total tuition and required fees, that usually means about $555 to $667 per credit, before books or optional residency costs. Some programs also require a capstone or thesis in addition to coursework.
Many programs are designed for working engineers, particularly those with asynchronous coursework. Success depends on course intensity, employer demands, family responsibilities, and the student's technical preparation. Reviewing weekly workload expectations and course meeting times before enrolling is more reliable than assuming every online program is fully flexible.
Some programs use simulation software, remote-access tools, mailed kits, project work, or virtual laboratories. Others may require an in-person residency, campus lab session, or approved local arrangement. Confirm laboratory expectations before applying, especially for hardware, power systems, and experimental research concentrations.
Not always. Many online programs offer a course-only, capstone, project, or comprehensive-exam pathway, while others include a thesis option. A thesis can be useful for students considering doctoral study or research-focused roles, but a course-based option may be more practical for professionals seeking advanced technical skills without research requirements.
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Online Master's Degree https://wit.edu/academics/engineering/degrees/masters/online/electrical-and-computer-engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering - Advanced Mobility, M.S. https://www.kettering.edu/academics-research/programs/electrical-and-computer-engineering-advanced-mobility-ms
- Fully Funded Master's Programs in Electrical Engineering | ProFellow https://www.profellow.com/fellowships/fully-funded-masters-programs-in-electrical-engineering/
- 2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Electrical Engineering https://www.onlineu.com/most-affordable-colleges/electrical-engineering-masters-degrees
- Best Online Electrical Engineering Master's Degree Programs in 2025 https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/best-programs/engineering/electrical-engineering/
- Is a master's in electrical engineering worth it for your career and earnings? | edX https://www.edx.org/resources/is-a-masters-in-electrical-engineering-worth-it
