2027 Online Engineering Degrees That Meet Education Requirements for the FE Exam
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Choosing an online engineering degree without checking FE eligibility can delay or derail a future PE license. This matters because the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7% employment growth for electrical and electronics engineers from 2024 to 2034. This guide is for prospective electrical engineering students who want online flexibility without sacrificing licensure options. Learn how ABET accreditation, state board rules, coursework, labs, cost, and delivery format affect your path from bachelor's degree to the FE exam and, eventually, PE licensure.
Key Things You Should Know
- An online electrical engineering bachelor's degree is generally the strongest FE-ready option when it is accredited by ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission; state engineering boards make the final eligibility determination.
- The FE exam is usually the first licensure milestone: passing it and meeting a state board's requirements can lead to Engineer Intern or Engineer-in-Training status before pursuing the PE license.
- Electrical and electronics engineering occupations are projected to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034, but an online degree is a sound investment only if its accreditation, laboratory access, transfer-credit rules, and state licensure fit are verified before enrollment.
What is an online electrical engineering degree that qualifies you for the FE exam?
An online electrical engineering degree that supports FE exam eligibility is usually a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or electrical and computer engineering that meets the academic standards recognized by the engineering licensing board where you plan to seek licensure. The most straightforward route is an ABET-accredited program with accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission, commonly called EAC of ABET.
The Fundamentals of Engineering, or FE, exam is administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. Passing the FE does not itself make someone a Professional Engineer. Instead, it is typically the first step toward becoming an Engineer Intern or Engineer-in-Training, gaining qualifying experience, and taking the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam.
"Online" describes delivery, not a separate credential. A legitimate program may deliver lectures, assignments, simulations, advising, and exams remotely while requiring scheduled laboratory intensives, approved local lab work, or campus visits. The degree diploma generally does not need to say "online," but the curriculum and accreditation status must be appropriate for licensure.
This path fits students who need location flexibility but want careers in consulting, power systems, public infrastructure, regulated design, or technical leadership where a PE may be valuable. It may be less necessary for people targeting software-only roles, many electronics product roles, or jobs where employers do not require licensure. Even then, a rigorous ABET-accredited engineering degree can remain valuable because it signals broad technical preparation.
How do FE exam education requirements apply to online electrical engineering programs?
FE eligibility is governed by individual state and territorial licensing boards, not by a universal rule that all online degrees automatically satisfy. Many boards allow students near the end of, or graduates of, an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering bachelor's program to register for the FE exam. Some states also evaluate non-ABET degrees through alternate pathways that may require more education, additional experience, or a detailed credential review.
For an online student, the key issue is whether the specific degree program, including its delivery option and academic year, is covered by EAC/ABET accreditation. Institutional accreditation alone is not the same as programmatic engineering accreditation. A university can be institutionally accredited while an online engineering major is not EAC/ABET-accredited.
The comparison below shows why students should confirm their intended state board's rules before they commit to a program.
| Education route | Typical FE eligibility outlook | Licensure planning consideration |
| EAC/ABET-accredited electrical engineering bachelor's degree | Usually the clearest route | Confirm when students may sit for the FE in the intended state. |
| Non-ABET engineering bachelor's degree | May be accepted through a board review or alternate route | Requirements can include extra experience or education and vary substantially by state. |
| Engineering technology degree | May have a different licensure pathway | Do not assume engineering technology and engineering are interchangeable for FE or PE purposes. |
| Master's degree after a non-ABET bachelor's degree | Potentially helpful, but not automatically equivalent | Ask the board how it evaluates the full academic record. |
Students planning to move should check the board requirements in the state where they expect to pursue initial licensure, not only the state where the school is located. Licensure mobility can be possible later, but avoiding an education mismatch at the beginning is usually simpler and less expensive.
Which accreditations must online electrical engineering degrees have to meet FE criteria?
For the most direct FE and PE path, look for accreditation by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. EAC accreditation evaluates an engineering program's student outcomes, curriculum, faculty, facilities, assessment processes, and continuous improvement. It is the accreditation most commonly recognized by state boards for engineering licensure education.
Check accreditation at the program level, not through broad marketing language. "ABET-accredited university," "accredited online college," and "engineering-focused curriculum" do not establish that a particular electrical engineering bachelor's degree is EAC/ABET-accredited. Accreditation can also be limited to a campus, delivery format, or degree name.
Before applying, request written confirmation from the program that addresses the following points. These questions reduce the risk of relying on an ambiguous admissions statement.
- Is the exact bachelor's degree accredited by ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission?
- Does the accreditation cover students completing the degree through the online pathway?
- What is the accreditation period, and is the program currently in good standing?
- Are required laboratory courses completed through campus sessions, remote kits, partner facilities, or another approved method?
- Have graduates used this degree to meet FE education requirements in the state where you intend to seek licensure?
Regional or institutional accreditation still matters for financial aid, transfer credit, and general academic quality, but it does not replace EAC/ABET accreditation for the conventional engineering licensure route. Specialized accreditation from a technology-focused commission may be meaningful for other purposes, yet it should not be treated as identical to EAC accreditation without direct confirmation from the relevant board.
Online and campus programs can prepare students for the same FE Electrical and Computer exam concepts when they offer comparable mathematics, science, engineering analysis, design, and laboratory experiences. The meaningful differences are usually in scheduling, lab logistics, access to faculty, and the amount of self-management required - not necessarily in the academic standard.
The table compares the practical trade-offs students should weigh when FE readiness and flexibility are both priorities.
| Factor | Online or hybrid program | Campus-based program | Best fit |
| Lecture access | Often asynchronous or scheduled remotely | Usually scheduled in person | Online suits students with work, caregiving, or location constraints. |
| Laboratories | May use kits, simulations, remote instruments, or short residencies | Usually regular access to physical labs | Campus study suits learners who want frequent hands-on lab time. |
| Peer collaboration | Requires deliberate use of virtual teams and office hours | Often easier through shared classes and labs | Either can work when the student actively seeks project experience. |
| FE preparation | Requires a self-directed study schedule and timed practice | May offer easier access to in-person review groups | Choose based on academic support and personal study habits, not format alone. |
| Scheduling | Can reduce commuting and allow part-time pacing | Often follows a fixed sequence | Online may be better for working adults; campus can be faster for full-time students. |
Students with caregiving responsibilities may find that flexible course access makes an engineering pathway more feasible, although electrical engineering remains mathematically intensive and lab-dependent. Comparing degrees for stay at home moms can help prospective students assess whether their available study time supports a demanding technical major or whether a different academic route better matches current obligations.
An FE-ready electrical engineering curriculum builds from calculus and calculus-based physics into circuit analysis, electronics, signals, systems, computing, design, and engineering ethics. Course titles vary, but students should be able to connect theory to quantitative problem-solving, laboratory measurement, technical documentation, and design decisions.
The following subject areas are useful indicators that a curriculum is broad enough for electrical engineering practice and aligned with common FE Electrical and Computer exam domains.
- Mathematics and science: calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, probability and statistics, chemistry, and calculus-based physics.
- Electrical fundamentals: DC and AC circuit analysis, electronics, electromagnetic fields, digital logic, and semiconductor devices.
- Systems and computation: signals and systems, control systems, communications, programming, microprocessors, and computer architecture.
- Power and energy: electric machines, power systems, power electronics, protection, and renewable or grid-integration concepts where available.
- Professional practice: engineering economics, ethics, technical communication, safety, project management, and a culminating design experience.
Course coverage alone is not enough. Look for evidence that students use oscilloscopes, data acquisition tools, circuit simulation software, programming environments, and collaborative design workflows. Employers increasingly expect engineers to work alongside automation, embedded systems, data tools, and AI-enabled design processes. Those tools can accelerate analysis, but they do not replace an engineer's responsibility to validate assumptions, document decisions, and protect public safety.
For FE preparation, retain course notes and formula practice throughout the degree instead of waiting until graduation. The exam tests breadth, so students often need a structured review of subjects taken early in the program as well as strengths in their preferred specialty.
Reputable online electrical engineering bachelor's programs typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, and evidence that an applicant can begin or progress through a demanding math and science sequence. Transfer applicants generally need college transcripts and course descriptions for evaluation. Requirements differ by institution, especially for students entering with prior credits or an associate degree.
Applicants should expect some combination of the following admissions and readiness requirements, although no single requirement applies to every school.
- High school coursework in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, precalculus, and laboratory science; calculus preparation is especially helpful.
- College-level prerequisites or placement testing for calculus, physics, and English composition.
- Official transcripts from every previously attended college for transfer-credit evaluation.
- A stated minimum GPA or evidence of satisfactory academic standing, particularly for upper-division engineering admission.
- Technology readiness, including a suitable computer, dependable internet access, and capacity to use specialized engineering software.
Electrical engineering is not normally a shortcut degree: it requires sustained quantitative work, sequential prerequisites, and substantial problem-solving. Students looking at easy degrees to get should not interpret flexible online delivery as reduced engineering rigor. A less technical major may be a better fit for someone whose goals do not require engineering licensure or advanced mathematics.
Application fees are a smaller cost than tuition, but they can add up when students apply broadly. A university that offers free tuition may reduce the cost of exploring options; still, prioritize verified EAC/ABET status, prerequisite fit, and lab requirements over fee policy.
A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering is commonly designed as a four-year, full-time program, but online completion time depends heavily on transfer credit, prerequisite sequencing, laboratory scheduling, and whether the student attends part time. Students starting with substantial transferable general education and lower-division STEM coursework may finish more quickly; those beginning in developmental math or taking one or two courses per term may need longer.
Cost should be evaluated as a total completion budget rather than a headline tuition rate. The most useful comparison includes the items below because engineering programs can have expenses beyond standard online course charges.
| Cost factor | Why it affects online engineering students | What to verify |
| Tuition per credit | Rates may differ by residency, upper-division status, and program. | Total credits remaining after transfer evaluation. |
| Mandatory fees | Technology, laboratory, distance-learning, and proctoring fees can increase the total. | Fee schedule for every expected term. |
| Laboratory expenses | Students may need kits, software, travel, or short campus residencies. | Which costs are included and which are billed separately. |
| Lost work time | Intensive labs, exams, and capstone projects can affect work schedules. | Required meeting times and residency dates. |
| Transfer credits | Accepted credits can lower both time and tuition. | Course equivalencies and maximum transferable credits. |
Federal financial aid eligibility depends on the school, program, enrollment level, and the student's circumstances. Students comparing an online college that accepts FAFSA should confirm that the exact engineering program is eligible, complete the FAFSA early, and compare grants, scholarships, work options, and borrowing needs before accepting loans.
Part-time enrollment can make cash flow more manageable and preserve employment, but it may increase the calendar time needed to complete prerequisites. Full-time enrollment may shorten the path but can be difficult when laboratories and advanced courses demand many hours each week. The better choice is the one that lets you complete the sequence consistently without repeatedly withdrawing from gateway math and physics courses.
An FE pass and eventual PE license can be especially relevant when an engineer offers services to the public, signs and seals engineering documents, leads regulated infrastructure work, or works in consulting. Requirements vary by state and employer, and many electrical engineering positions do not require a PE. However, licensure can broaden options in power, utilities, construction, transportation, public agencies, and consulting.
The table highlights common roles and the situations in which licensure may matter most.
| Role | Typical work | FE or PE relevance |
| Power systems engineer | Designs, studies, and improves generation, transmission, distribution, and protection systems. | Often valuable in utility, consulting, and public-facing design work. |
| Electrical design engineer | Develops building systems, industrial controls, wiring, lighting, or equipment specifications. | A PE may be required for work involving sealed plans or public projects. |
| Controls and automation engineer | Designs control logic, instrumentation, industrial networks, and automated processes. | Varies by employer and project responsibility. |
| Electronics engineer | Develops circuits, devices, embedded hardware, testing methods, and prototypes. | Often less central in private product development, but useful in some regulated work. |
| Systems or communications engineer | Integrates hardware, networks, signals, communications, and system requirements. | Depends on industry, contracts, and whether public safety design authority is involved. |
The usual licensure sequence is degree completion, FE exam passage, qualifying engineering experience under applicable state rules, and the PE exam. Students should not assume all work experience counts equally. Keep records of projects, supervisors, technical responsibilities, and dates so future applications can be supported accurately.
Career fit also matters. Choose this route if you enjoy mathematical modeling, troubleshooting physical systems, disciplined documentation, and ongoing learning. Consider computer science, information technology, engineering technology, or a technician pathway if you prefer a different balance of coding, hands-on installation, or shorter training timelines.
Salary depends on occupation, geographic market, industry, experience, security-clearance eligibility, technical specialty, management duties, and licensure responsibility. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $111,910 for electrical engineers in May 2024. That figure is a national occupational median, not a promise for new graduates, online-program graduates, or licensed engineers in every market.
A PE license can support advancement where an employer needs someone able to take responsible charge of engineering work or seal documents, but it is only one part of earning potential. Power systems expertise, project leadership, advanced design skills, communication ability, and local demand can all affect compensation.
Use salary data as a planning input rather than a return-on-investment guarantee. Compare likely entry-level opportunities in your target region with total education cost, expected time away from paid work, and the number of years needed to meet PE experience requirements. Prospective students seeking to reduce upfront admissions costs might target a university with free application fee to lower overall degree expenses. A lower-cost program that preserves employment and leads to the correct licensure path may offer stronger practical value than a program with a lower advertised per-credit rate but poor transfer policies or expensive residency requirements.
Students should also ask programs for transparent career information: relevant internship access, employer relationships, graduate job titles, and whether outcomes are reported separately for online students. Be cautious of schools that cite broad technology-sector salaries without explaining whether those results apply to electrical engineering graduates.
How can prospective students evaluate and choose a trustworthy online electrical engineering program?
Start with licensure compatibility, then compare academic quality, logistics, and total cost. The best program is not necessarily the cheapest, fastest, or most heavily advertised option; it is the one that provides a credible degree path compatible with your state board, schedule, finances, and intended engineering work.
Use this sequence before paying an enrollment deposit. It prioritizes decisions that are difficult to fix later.
- Identify the state where you expect to seek initial FE and PE licensure, then review that board's education rules.
- Verify that the exact electrical engineering degree and online pathway hold EAC/ABET accreditation; obtain confirmation in writing when the school's public information is unclear.
- Request a transfer-credit evaluation and a term-by-term degree plan showing calculus, physics, laboratory, and capstone sequencing.
- Calculate the full cost of completion, including tuition, fees, travel, lab kits, software, proctoring, and potential reduced work hours.
- Ask how labs work, whether residencies are required, what technical support is available, and how students access faculty and tutoring.
- Compare FE preparation resources, internship support, career services, and outcomes relevant to your intended specialty.
- Keep copies of accreditation confirmations, degree plans, syllabi, and correspondence for future licensure documentation.
Red flags include vague answers about ABET status, claims that any engineering-related degree qualifies for the FE, an inability to explain lab requirements, pressure to enroll before transfer review, and salary promises. Another mistake is relying solely on institutional reputation. A well-known school can still offer programs with different accreditation statuses and licensure implications.
If a school says its program "meets requirements," ask which requirements, in which states, and whether the statement applies to your delivery format. When the answer affects FE eligibility, verify it with both the program and the licensing board rather than relying on a general admissions assurance.
Other Things You Should Know About Electrical Engineering
Yes, potentially. The deciding factors are usually the exact degree's EAC/ABET accreditation and the rules of the state board where you apply. Online delivery alone does not automatically prevent eligibility, but students should verify the program and state requirements before enrolling.
Many state boards provide the clearest FE pathway for students and graduates of EAC/ABET-accredited engineering programs. Some boards evaluate non-ABET degrees through alternate routes, but those routes may involve additional review, education, or experience. Check the applicable board directly.
Some do. Programs may use home laboratory kits, remote equipment, approved local facilities, simulations, or short campus residencies. Ask for the complete lab schedule and travel expectations before applying, especially if you live far from campus.
Yes, but the degree usually must be evaluated by a board-approved credential service and shown to be equivalent to a U.S. engineering degree. Many state licensing boards also require ABET accreditation or additional documentation before approving FE exam eligibility.
- Graduate Without an ABET Engineering Degree https://www.illinoisengineer.com/graduate-without-abet-engineering-degree.html
- FE Exam | NCEES https://ncees.org/exams/fe-exam/
- FE Exam Without Engineering Experience: Is it Possible? https://schoolofpe.com/blogs/news/fe-exam-without-engineering-background-html
