2027 Online Engineering Programs With ABET Status Pending: Enrollment Risks and Questions to Ask
Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist
Enrolling before an online electrical engineering program earns ABET accreditation can affect your transfer options, engineering licensure path, and employer screening. ABET does not use "pending" as a formal accreditation status; a program is accredited only after ABET's review and decision process.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7% employment growth for electrical and electronics engineers from 2023 to 2033. This guide helps prospective students weigh that opportunity against the risk, verify claims, compare delivery formats, and ask schools the questions that protect their investment.
Key Things You Should Know
- "ABET pending" is not an official ABET designation, until a program appears in ABET's accredited-program database, it is not ABET-accredited, even if the school says it plans to seek accreditation.
- If initial accreditation is granted, ABET generally makes it retroactive to October 1 of the academic year in which the program's review occurred; students should obtain the school's review-year details in writing rather than assume retroactivity will apply.
- Electrical and electronics engineering jobs are projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, but ABET accreditation can be especially important for Professional Engineer licensure, public-sector roles, graduate admissions, and employers with formal hiring requirements.
What does ABET accreditation mean for online electrical engineering programs with status pending?
ABET accreditation is a voluntary, program-level quality review. It does not accredit an entire university, and institutional accreditation does not substitute for it. For electrical engineering, the relevant accreditor is typically ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission. Reviewers evaluate whether a specific degree program has qualified faculty, appropriate curriculum coverage, student-support systems, documented learning outcomes, continuous improvement processes, and adequate laboratory experiences.
For an online electrical engineering degree, ABET reviewers focus on whether distance learners achieve outcomes equivalent to those of students in the program's other delivery formats. That includes authentic access to circuits, electronics, measurements, design work, faculty interaction, assessment, and team-based learning. Watching demonstrations alone is not necessarily equivalent to conducting and documenting laboratory work.
A school may use "pending," "seeking," "planned," or "in candidacy" informally to describe its intent to pursue ABET review. Those phrases should not be read as approval. In particular, prospective students should distinguish among a program that merely intends to apply, a program that has submitted an application, a program that has undergone a visit, and a program that has received an accreditation decision.
Initial accreditation may be granted retroactively to October 1 of the academic year in which the program was reviewed, subject to ABET's policies and the final decision. That can benefit eligible students who graduate during the applicable period, but it is not guaranteed while the review remains unresolved. A program can also receive a decision that is delayed, denied, or conditioned on changes.
| School claim | What it means for a prospective student | Safer interpretation |
| "University is accredited" | The institution has institutional accreditation. | Confirm the specific electrical engineering degree's ABET status separately. |
| "ABET pending" | The school may be pursuing or considering programmatic accreditation. | Ask for the exact application, visit, and decision timeline in writing. |
| "Accreditation expected" | This is a forecast, not an outcome. | Do not base enrollment or licensure plans on an expectation alone. |
| "ABET-accredited" | The program has an active ABET listing for the stated degree and location. | Verify the degree title, academic level, campus or modality, and accreditation dates. |
Because accreditation is awarded to a defined program, a campus-based Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering being accredited does not automatically mean a separately administered online completion pathway is covered. Ask whether online students are enrolled in the same degree program, follow the same curriculum, and receive the same diploma as campus students.
Are online electrical engineering degrees from programs with ABET pending considered legitimate?
They can be academically legitimate degrees if they are issued by an institution with recognized institutional accreditation and meet the school's degree requirements. However, academic legitimacy and ABET accreditation answer different questions. A legitimate degree may still be less portable for a student whose target employer, graduate school, military pathway, state licensing board, or engineering firm specifically requires an ABET-accredited engineering degree.
The practical question is not simply whether the degree is "real." It is whether it fits your intended use. A student pursuing electronics sales, technical project coordination, software-adjacent work, or an employer that evaluates skills individually may have more flexibility than a student who expects to pursue Professional Engineer licensure or work on regulated public infrastructure.
A program with status pending may be worth considering when the school provides strong written evidence of its accreditation plan, you can tolerate the possibility that accreditation is not granted, and your career goal does not depend on it. It may also make sense for a working professional whose employer confirms that the degree will meet internal advancement requirements.
Choose an already ABET-accredited program when you need the lowest-risk route to licensure eligibility, may move across states, expect to apply to engineering graduate programs with accreditation preferences, or cannot afford to repeat coursework if a transfer or credential evaluation becomes difficult. The same caution applies if you are using substantial loans: an uncertain credential adds financial risk to an already significant education commitment.
A common mistake is assuming that future accreditation automatically fixes every issue. Even if accreditation becomes retroactive, its coverage depends on ABET's decision, the review year, your program and graduation date, and the requirements of the outside organization evaluating your degree. Get confirmation from that employer, licensing board, or graduate school before enrolling.
What enrollment risks exist when choosing an online electrical engineering program not yet ABET-accredited?
The central risk is mismatch: you may complete a rigorous degree that does not satisfy a requirement discovered later. Accreditation uncertainty is not proof of low quality, but it shifts more due-diligence work to the student. It can also create timing risk if the program is new, the online laboratory model is still evolving, or the school changes its curriculum during review.
The following comparison shows where uncertainty can matter most. Its purpose is to help you identify whether a pending program creates an inconvenience or a major barrier for your own plan.
| Decision area | Potential risk without current ABET accreditation | How to reduce the risk |
| Professional Engineer licensure | A state board may require an ABET-accredited degree or additional documented experience and evaluation. | Contact the board in the state where you expect to seek licensure before enrollment. |
| Employment screening | Some engineering employers and government contractors use ABET status as a screening criterion. | Review current job postings and ask target employers about their policy. |
| Graduate school admission | Admissions offices may need extra course-by-course review or may prefer accredited preparation. | Ask prospective programs whether the degree and prerequisites would be accepted. |
| Transfer credit | Another engineering school may not accept all technical courses or lab credits. | Request a preliminary transfer-credit review where possible. |
| Financial return | You could pay full tuition yet need supplementary coursework later. | Compare total cost with a currently accredited alternative, not tuition alone. |
| Program continuity | New programs may alter sequencing, faculty assignments, lab requirements, or course availability. | Ask for a term-by-term teach-out and course-availability plan. |
Students should also avoid confusing speed with suitability. An engineering bachelor's degree requires substantial mathematics, science, design, and laboratory work; a very short path may be useful for exploration or prerequisite completion but is not a substitute for the education needed for most electrical engineering roles.
Before paying a deposit, use this risk screen:
- Write down your nonnegotiable goal, such as PE licensure, a defense-industry role, graduate school, or employer promotion.
- Ask the school whether the exact online degree has completed an ABET visit and whether an initial accreditation decision is expected before your anticipated graduation.
- Request the refund, withdrawal, transfer-credit, and teach-out policies; verbal assurances are not enough.
- Compare the same questions with at least one currently ABET-accredited option.
- Decide whether you would still enroll if the program never received ABET accreditation.
No student can reliably predict an ABET decision, and no school should promise one. You can, however, evaluate whether the program has a credible, transparent plan and whether its design appears aligned with the expectations of an engineering degree. The strongest evidence is not promotional language; it is specific documentation, clear answers, and a curriculum that supports measurable engineering outcomes.
Start by checking ABET's official accredited-program listings yourself. Then contact the department chair or program director - not only a general admissions representative - and ask questions that require verifiable responses.
- Is the exact Bachelor of Science degree, including the online pathway, currently listed as ABET-accredited?
- If not, has the program submitted an accreditation application, and has an ABET evaluation visit occurred?
- Which academic year would be covered if initial accreditation is granted, and would my expected graduation date fall within that period?
- Are online learners admitted to the same degree program, completing the same outcomes, and receiving the same diploma as campus learners?
- How are laboratory competencies assessed, home kits, remote instruments, scheduled campus intensives, simulations, or a combination?
- Can the school provide outcome-assessment results, faculty qualifications, course syllabi, and a curriculum map?
- What happens if accreditation is not awarded - will the school offer tuition remedies, additional support, or a transfer pathway?
Evaluate the answers for precision. "We are working toward accreditation" is not equivalent to a documented review schedule. Be particularly cautious if staff cannot identify the degree title under review, the first eligible review year, lab arrangements, or whether online students are included in the assessed program population.
Red flags include a school advertising ABET-related language without naming the program, treating regional or institutional accreditation as equivalent to ABET, requiring extensive paid third-party labs without explaining supervision, or refusing to state whether the online option is included in the accreditation scope. None of these facts alone proves a poor program, but each warrants a written follow-up before you commit.
Online and campus programs can both be high quality when they deliver equivalent academic standards, meaningful laboratory work, accessible faculty, and effective assessment. The more important distinction is format fit. Working adults may value asynchronous lectures and part-time pacing, while students seeking daily lab access, research relationships, and a traditional engineering community may benefit from a campus-based experience.
Online engineering is not automatically easier. Strong programs typically require scheduled exams, collaborative design work, hands-on or remotely operated labs, and substantial independent problem solving. Before choosing, compare the learning conditions rather than relying on the word "online."
| Factor | Online program may fit best when | Campus program may fit best when |
| Schedule | You need flexibility around full-time work, caregiving, or location constraints. | You can attend daytime classes and benefit from a fixed routine. |
| Laboratories | The program provides validated kits, remote access, or required residencies that you can complete. | You want frequent access to advanced instruments and in-person troubleshooting. |
| Networking | You are already employed in a technical setting and can build professional connections there. | You want easier access to campus recruiting, student organizations, and faculty research. |
| Learning style | You manage deadlines independently and communicate effectively online. | You learn best through immediate face-to-face interaction and structured study groups. |
| Accreditation risk | The exact online pathway is clearly included in an accredited program. | You want the simplest route where the accredited offering is clearly established. |
Short online courses can help students refresh algebra, programming, or study habits before beginning a degree, but they should not be mistaken for engineering laboratory preparation. Students comparing compressed formats can review 6 week college courses online as a way to identify possible preparatory options, then confirm that any course will transfer and meet prerequisite requirements.
For outcomes, examine retention, graduation, internship participation, career services, employer relationships, and licensure support if the school publishes them. Ask whether those figures separate online students from campus students. A combined institutional statistic may not describe the experience of a new online engineering cohort.
A credible bachelor's-level electrical engineering curriculum should build from calculus-based mathematics and science into analysis, design, experimentation, and communication. Course titles differ, but students should be able to see a coherent sequence rather than a collection of disconnected technology courses.
The table summarizes common components and why they matter when assessing an online option. It is not a substitute for reviewing the school's official curriculum, graduation requirements, and ABET status.
| Curriculum area | Typical topics | What to verify online |
| Mathematics and science | Calculus I-III, differential equations, linear algebra, calculus-based physics | Prerequisite sequencing, proctored assessment, and transfer-credit equivalencies |
| Circuits and electronics | Circuit analysis, analog electronics, digital logic, semiconductor devices | Hands-on measurement, debugging, and documented lab reports |
| Signals and systems | Continuous and discrete signals, transforms, filtering, communications foundations | Software access and instruction that connects theory to physical systems |
| Electromagnetics and power | Fields and waves, machines, power systems, energy conversion | Faculty expertise and whether required equipment access is realistic for distance learners |
| Computing and embedded systems | Programming, microcontrollers, hardware-software integration | Required hardware, operating-system compatibility, and technical support |
| Design and professional practice | Capstone design, ethics, economics, teamwork, technical communication | Individual accountability, team coordination, and industry-relevant design constraints |
Look for evidence that the program teaches students to identify and solve complex engineering problems, design systems within realistic constraints, conduct and interpret experiments, communicate technical findings, work on teams, and recognize ethical and safety responsibilities. These outcomes matter because employers hire engineers to make defensible decisions, not merely complete simulations.
A common mistake is accepting simulation-only laboratory claims without asking what students physically build, measure, calibrate, troubleshoot, and report. Simulation is valuable in engineering education, but it generally works best as a complement to - not a blanket replacement for - authentic experimental practice.
Admissions standards vary widely by institution and by whether you are a first-year student, transfer applicant, or degree-completion student. Electrical engineering typically demands stronger preparation in mathematics and physics than many general online programs. Applicants without those foundations may need prerequisite courses before entering upper-division engineering work.
Most applicants should expect the following categories of preparation, though each school sets its own policies:
- A high school diploma or equivalent, plus official transcripts from prior colleges when applicable.
- Mathematics preparation through precalculus or calculus, depending on the program's entry point.
- Science preparation, commonly including physics; calculus-based physics is often required before advanced engineering courses.
- Transfer evaluation for prior calculus, programming, circuit, and laboratory courses.
- Reliable computer access, current operating-system support, webcam or proctoring capability if required, and stable internet service.
- Time for scheduled labs, group meetings, examinations, and possible campus residencies - not only asynchronous lecture viewing.
Open admission policies can make college access easier, but they do not eliminate engineering prerequisites. If you are researching online colleges with open enrollment and no application fee, confirm separately whether the electrical engineering major has selective admission, minimum grades in prerequisite courses, or limited-capacity laboratory sections.
Before the first term, refresh algebra, trigonometry, scientific notation, unit analysis, and basic programming logic. Ask for the required software list and total hardware costs. Students should also determine whether lab kits are shipped, returned, replaced when damaged, or restricted by location. These details affect both readiness and total cost.
Tuition is only one part of the cost of an online electrical engineering degree. The published per-credit rate may exclude mandatory technology fees, online-learning fees, proctoring, textbooks, software, lab kits, shipping, campus residencies, travel, and lost income from reduced work hours. A lower sticker price can therefore be less economical if it adds requirements that delay graduation or does not meet your credential goal.
Build a program-by-program estimate using the cost categories below. This comparison is especially important for a program with ABET status pending because you should compare its full financial risk with the price of an already accredited alternative.
| Cost category | Why it varies | Question to ask |
| Tuition | Rates can differ by residency, transfer status, course level, and delivery format. | What is the total tuition for my remaining required credits? |
| Mandatory fees | Institutions may charge technology, student-service, distance-learning, and graduation fees. | Which mandatory fees apply to online engineering students each term? |
| Laboratory expenses | Programs may require kits, instruments, consumables, software, and shipping. | What equipment must I purchase, rent, return, or replace? |
| Residency and travel | Some online programs require on-campus labs, orientations, or examinations. | How many visits are required, where are they held, and what dates are typical? |
| Time-to-degree cost | Unavailable courses and prerequisite gaps can add terms. | Can every required course be completed on the published schedule? |
Federal student aid eligibility depends on the institution, program, enrollment level, and the student's individual circumstances. Read financial-aid offers carefully and distinguish grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. Loans must be repaid under their terms even if a program later fails to earn ABET accreditation.
For some learners, a shorter credential can be a lower-cost way to test an interest in technology or move into related work while planning a degree later. Explore short degrees that pay well if you are comparing alternatives, but verify that a shorter program aligns with your target role rather than assuming it provides an equivalent path to electrical engineering.
Graduates of a strong electrical engineering program may work in power and energy, electronics manufacturing, communications, aerospace and defense, semiconductors, transportation, medical devices, automation, and research. Employers generally care more about the degree's rigor, relevant technical skills, project portfolio, internship experience, and accreditation fit than whether lectures were viewed online or on campus.
Online students should intentionally create evidence of hands-on ability. A capstone, lab notebook, Git-based code portfolio where appropriate, design presentation, internship, technician experience, or faculty-supervised project can help employers understand what you can do.
| Role area | Typical work | Useful preparation |
| Power systems engineer | Supports generation, transmission, distribution, protection, and grid modernization. | Power systems, machines, controls, safety awareness, and possible licensure planning |
| Electronics or hardware engineer | Designs, tests, and improves circuits, boards, sensors, and electronic products. | Analog and digital design, PCB tools, lab testing, and troubleshooting |
| Controls or automation engineer | Develops systems that monitor and control industrial processes and equipment. | Controls, programming, instrumentation, and industrial systems exposure |
| Embedded systems engineer | Combines software and hardware for devices, products, and connected systems. | Microcontrollers, C/C++, debugging, electronics, and systems integration |
| Test or validation engineer | Creates test procedures, analyzes failures, and verifies product performance. | Measurement, data analysis, documentation, and quality processes |
| Field applications or technical sales engineer | Helps customers apply complex technical products and communicates requirements to teams. | Technical depth, communication, customer-facing experience, and product knowledge |
AI-enabled design tools, automation, and advanced simulation are changing workflows, but they increase rather than eliminate the value of engineers who understand physical constraints, validation, safety, reliability, and system trade-offs. Students should learn to use modern tools critically and be able to explain how results were verified.
Electrical engineering can lead to well-compensated work, but it is not automatically the highest-returning option for every student. Compare it with other fields using what degree makes the most money, while weighing your aptitude for advanced math, desired work environment, time to completion, and the accreditation requirements of your intended career.
What salaries, job outlook, and licensure options can online electrical engineering graduates expect?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $111,910 for electrical engineers in May 2024. This is a national occupation-level figure, not a starting-salary guarantee. Pay varies by experience, location, industry, security-clearance eligibility, specialization, graduate education, and whether the role is classified as electrical engineering rather than a related technical occupation.
BLS projects 7% employment growth for electrical and electronics engineers from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. Demand is influenced by electrification, grid investment, communications, semiconductors, automation, and electronics design. Job growth does not mean every graduate will receive the same opportunities; internships, geographic flexibility, technical portfolio quality, and employer requirements still shape outcomes.
A Professional Engineer license is not required for every electrical engineering job. It is more relevant when an engineer offers services directly to the public, takes responsible charge of certain designs, works on public infrastructure, or advances in organizations that value licensed engineers. Rules are set by state licensing boards and vary by jurisdiction.
A common pathway involves graduating from an ABET-accredited engineering program, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, gaining qualifying experience, and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination. Some states provide alternate routes for applicants from non-ABET programs, but those routes may require additional education review or experience. Do not assume an online degree with pending ABET status will meet the standard route in your state.
Before enrolling, contact the relevant state board with the exact degree title, school, delivery format, and anticipated graduation year. If you might relocate, check more than one state. This small step can prevent a costly mismatch between your education plan and a future licensure requirement.
Other Things You Should Know About Electrical Engineering
Possibly, but eligibility depends on the state board and your program. Many boards recognize graduates of ABET-accredited programs most directly. Check the board's current rules before enrolling, especially if the program is not yet ABET-accredited.
Usually, diplomas identify the degree rather than lecture format, but employers may ask about your education and projects. Be prepared to explain your laboratory experience, capstone work, technical tools, and any internships or relevant employment.
A typical bachelor's degree requires about four years of full-time study from the beginning. Transfer credits, prerequisite gaps, course sequencing, part-time enrollment, and required lab residencies can make the timeline shorter or longer.
Keep your transcript, course syllabi, catalog description, graduation verification, and any ABET-status notices from the school. State licensing boards and NCEES may ask for these documents when reviewing education, especially if your degree was earned from a program whose ABET visit or decision is still pending.
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