2026 How to Choose an Online Electrical Engineering Degree for Electronics Careers
Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist
Choosing an online electrical engineering degree is a high-stakes decision because electronics work now touches semiconductors, robotics, medical devices, EVs, defense systems, and AI hardware. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $118,780 for electrical and electronics engineers, making program quality and career fit especially important.
This guide is for prospective students comparing online options, transfer pathways, costs, accreditation, and outcomes. You will learn how to evaluate programs, avoid red flags, and choose a degree that supports electronics-focused roles.
Key Things You Should Know
- For engineering jobs that involve circuit design, embedded systems, signal processing, semiconductors, or hardware testing, prioritize an ABET-accredited electrical engineering program rather than a general technology or electronics certificate.
- College Board's 2024 data shows average published tuition and fees of $11,610 for in-state public four-year colleges and $43,350 for private nonprofit four-year colleges, before grants, transfer credits, and online fees.
- The electronics career payoff depends on specialization; BLS May 2024 data reports median annual wages of $111,910 for electrical engineers and $127,340 for electronics engineers, except computer, but salaries vary by industry, location, clearance requirements, and experience.
What is an online electrical engineering degree for electronics careers?
An online electrical engineering degree is a college program that teaches students how electricity, electronics, circuits, signals, controls, power systems, and computing hardware work. For electronics careers, the most relevant programs are usually Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degrees with coursework in analog and digital circuits, microelectronics, embedded systems, communication systems, signal processing, electromagnetics, and laboratory design.
The "online" part usually means lectures, assignments, exams, simulations, and discussion boards are delivered through a learning platform. However, electrical engineering is not purely theoretical. Strong programs still require labs, design projects, team-based engineering work, and often a capstone project. Some schools use mailed lab kits, remote lab equipment, simulation software, short campus residencies, or local proctored lab arrangements.
The degree can fit several types of students, but it is not the right choice for every electronics goal. The table below summarizes common education options and when each one makes sense:
| Option | Best fit | Electronics career relevance | Main trade-off |
| Associate degree in electronics technology | Students seeking technician roles quickly | Useful for testing, repair, instrumentation, and field service | May not qualify for engineering roles that require a bachelor's degree |
| Bachelor's in electrical engineering | Students seeking engineering design, analysis, and development roles | Strongest standard pathway for electronics engineering careers | Requires advanced math, physics, labs, and a larger time investment |
| Bachelor's in electrical engineering technology | Students who prefer applied systems, troubleshooting, and implementation | Useful for applied electronics, manufacturing, and technical operations | Some employers distinguish it from an engineering degree for design roles |
| Graduate certificate in electronics or embedded systems | Working engineers who need targeted upskilling | Good for specialization after a related bachelor's degree | Usually not a substitute for a full engineering degree |
| Master's in electrical engineering | Engineers targeting advanced design, R&D, or leadership roles | Helpful for semiconductors, RF, controls, communications, and power electronics | Requires prior technical preparation and may be more specialized |
If your real interest is software-heavy analytics, machine learning, or business data rather than physical hardware, comparing data science programs may be a better use of time than enrolling in a circuits-heavy engineering degree. Electrical engineering is best for students who want to understand and build physical electronic systems, not just write code around them.
How do you choose an accredited online electrical engineering program?
Start with the career you want, then work backward to the credential, accreditation, curriculum, lab format, and cost structure that support it. A program can be convenient and still be a poor fit if it lacks electronics coursework, hands-on labs, or recognized accreditation.
Use the following steps before applying. They are designed to help you compare programs on evidence rather than marketing language:
- Confirm the exact degree title, because "electrical engineering," "electrical engineering technology," "electronics engineering technology," and "computer engineering" can lead to different employer interpretations.
- Check whether the specific program is accredited by ABET, not just whether the university is regionally accredited.
- Review the curriculum for electronics-relevant courses such as circuit analysis, electronics, digital logic, microprocessors, signal processing, control systems, electromagnetics, and embedded systems.
- Ask how labs work for online students, including whether you will use mailed kits, simulation software, remote instrumentation, campus intensives, or approved local labs.
- Compare total cost, including tuition, online fees, lab kits, software, proctoring, travel for residencies, textbooks, and graduation fees.
- Request transfer credit policies in writing, especially for calculus, physics, programming, and lower-division engineering courses.
- Ask for career services details that matter to online learners, such as virtual career fairs, employer partnerships, internship support, and engineering portfolio guidance.
- Check student support availability for hard courses, including tutoring for calculus, differential equations, physics, circuits, and programming.
Students who need a fully online engineering degree should be especially careful about lab and residency requirements. "Online" can mean anything from no campus visits to occasional in-person lab weekends, and that difference can affect both cost and scheduling.
There are also red flags worth taking seriously. Avoid programs that will not clearly state accreditation status, describe labs only in vague terms, advertise unrealistic completion times for students with no transfer credits, or present salary outcomes as guaranteed.
A strong school should be able to explain what students do, how learning is assessed, and which employers or graduate programs typically recognize the degree.
What accreditation matters for electrical engineering degrees?
Accreditation is one of the most important filters when choosing an electrical engineering program online. It affects employer confidence, graduate school eligibility, licensure pathways, transfer credit evaluation, and sometimes access to tuition reimbursement.
There are two main layers to understand. Institutional accreditation applies to the college or university as a whole, while programmatic accreditation applies to the engineering program itself:
| Accreditation type | What it evaluates | Why it matters for electronics careers |
| Institutional accreditation | The overall college, including governance, student services, academic standards, and financial stability | Helps with federal financial aid eligibility, transfer credit, and general degree recognition |
| ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission accreditation | Engineering program outcomes, faculty qualifications, curriculum, labs, assessment, and continuous improvement | Often the strongest signal for engineering design roles and professional engineering licensure pathways |
| ABET Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission accreditation | Applied engineering technology programs focused on implementation, testing, and technical operations | Useful for electronics technology and applied technical roles, but not always treated the same as engineering accreditation |
For electronics-focused engineering roles, the safest default is an ABET-accredited bachelor's in electrical engineering when available. Some employers will consider related degrees, especially when the applicant has strong experience, internships, or a portfolio, but ABET accreditation reduces ambiguity.
Licensure is another reason accreditation matters. Not every electronics engineer needs to become a licensed Professional Engineer, but students who may work in regulated areas such as power, public infrastructure, consulting, safety-critical systems, or government contracting should check state engineering board rules before enrolling. Many states prefer or require an ABET-accredited engineering degree for the most direct licensure route.
What courses are in an online electrical engineering curriculum?
An online electrical engineering curriculum usually moves from math and science foundations into circuits, signals, systems, electronics, and design. For electronics careers, the most valuable programs do more than assign problem sets; they require students to build, simulate, test, document, and troubleshoot systems.
The table below shows common curriculum areas and how they connect to electronics work. Use it to identify whether a program is broad enough for engineering roles and deep enough for your intended specialty:
| Curriculum area | Typical courses | Why it matters for electronics careers |
| Math and science foundation | Calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, physics, probability | Supports circuit modeling, signal analysis, controls, and electromagnetic theory |
| Core electrical engineering | Circuit analysis, electronics, electromagnetics, signals and systems | Builds the technical base for designing and analyzing electronic devices and systems |
| Computing and digital systems | Programming, digital logic, microprocessors, embedded systems | Prepares students for hardware-software integration and connected devices |
| Specialization electives | Power electronics, communications, semiconductor devices, robotics, controls, RF systems | Helps align the degree with industries such as aerospace, automotive, telecom, energy, and manufacturing |
| Labs and design | Electronics labs, instrumentation, simulation, senior capstone | Shows employers that students can apply theory to real engineering problems |
AI is also changing the way engineers work, but it is not replacing the need for fundamentals. Modern electronics students may use simulation tools, automated test systems, machine learning-assisted design workflows, and AI coding assistants, yet employers still expect engineers to understand why a circuit behaves a certain way and how to validate a design safely.
When comparing curricula, look for evidence that students produce real engineering artifacts. Examples include circuit schematics, PCB layouts, test reports, embedded code, simulation files, design reviews, and capstone documentation. Those materials can become the foundation of an engineering portfolio, especially for online students who need to show hands-on competence.
What admissions requirements do online electrical engineering programs usually have?
Admissions requirements vary by school and degree level, but electrical engineering programs are usually more math-intensive than many online bachelor's degrees. The strongest applicants show readiness for calculus, physics, programming, and sustained technical problem-solving.
Most online bachelor's programs ask for some combination of the following materials. Requirements may differ for first-year applicants, transfer students, returning adults, military learners, and international applicants:
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent credential for first-year admission.
- Official transcripts from high school and any colleges previously attended.
- College algebra, precalculus, trigonometry, calculus, chemistry, physics, or programming prerequisites, depending on placement level.
- Minimum GPA requirements, often with separate standards for engineering major admission.
- Placement testing or transfer evaluation for math and science readiness.
- Personal statement, resume, or short admissions questions for some programs.
- English proficiency documentation for applicants whose prior education was not in English.
Transfer applicants should pay special attention to course equivalency. A general physics course may not satisfy a calculus-based physics requirement, and an introductory electronics course may not replace a required engineering circuits course. Before enrolling, ask the school to evaluate transcripts against the actual degree plan, not just general education requirements.
Credential assumptions can also create poor decisions. Students in other fields often ask questions like do you need a masters to be a librarian because requirements vary by role and employer; engineering works the same way. Some electronics jobs accept technology degrees or experience, while engineering design roles often prefer a bachelor's in engineering.
How long does an online electrical engineering degree take?
A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering typically requires about 120 to 130 credits, though some programs require more because of lab science, math, and engineering sequences. Full-time students entering with no prior college credit often need about four years, while part-time online students may take longer.
Timeline depends less on the word "online" and more on course sequencing. Calculus, physics, circuits, electronics, signals, and controls often build on one another, so failing or delaying one course can push back later requirements.
| Student profile | Common timeline | What can speed it up | What can slow it down |
| First-time full-time student | About four years | Strong math placement and steady course loads | Needing remedial math or repeating prerequisite courses |
| Transfer student with an associate degree | About two to three years | Completed calculus, calculus-based physics, and programming | Credits transferring only as electives |
| Working adult studying part time | About five to six years or more | Employer tuition support and predictable scheduling | Limited course availability and heavy work obligations |
| Student pursuing a master's after a related bachelor's | About one and a half to three years | Prior engineering coursework and focused specialization | Prerequisite gaps or thesis requirements |
Accelerated programs can be helpful, but they are not automatically better. Electrical engineering has a high cognitive load, and compressed terms can be difficult if you are also working, caring for family, or rebuilding math skills. A slightly longer program with strong support may produce better learning than a faster program that leaves you underprepared for upper-level engineering work.
How much does an online electrical engineering degree cost?
The cost of an online electrical engineering degree depends on tuition, residency status, transfer credits, fees, lab expenses, software, textbooks, and time to completion. Tuition is only one part of the calculation, especially in engineering programs that may require lab kits, specialized equipment, or occasional travel.
College Board's 2024 figures provide a useful benchmark: average published tuition and fees for public four-year in-state students were $11,610, compared with $43,350 at private nonprofit four-year colleges. Online students should use those figures as a starting point, not a final price, because net cost can change after grants, scholarships, employer aid, and transfer credit.
When evaluating affordability, compare net price and completion probability together. A low-cost program that does not offer needed courses regularly can become expensive if it delays graduation. A higher-cost program may be more reasonable if it accepts transfer credits, provides strong advising, and helps you finish on time.
It can also help to compare how different online professional degrees structure cost and field requirements. For example, students reviewing master of library science online programs often have to weigh tuition against practicum expectations; engineering students should make a similar total-cost check for labs, software, and travel.
Which electronics careers can an electrical engineering degree lead to?
An electrical engineering degree can lead to roles across electronics design, testing, manufacturing, embedded systems, communications, power electronics, and hardware integration. The best career path depends on your electives, projects, internships, tools, and industry exposure.
The table below connects common electronics-focused roles with typical responsibilities. Job titles vary by employer, so read postings closely rather than relying on titles alone:
| Career path | Typical responsibilities | Helpful preparation |
| Electronics engineer | Design, analyze, test, and improve electronic circuits, devices, and systems | Analog electronics, digital systems, circuit simulation, lab testing |
| Embedded systems engineer | Develop hardware-software systems for devices, sensors, controls, and connected products | C, C++, microcontrollers, digital logic, real-time systems |
| Hardware design engineer | Create schematics, PCB designs, prototypes, validation plans, and design documentation | PCB tools, signal integrity basics, electronics labs, design projects |
| Test engineer | Build test procedures, automate measurements, validate products, and troubleshoot failures | Instrumentation, Python or LabVIEW, statistics, quality systems |
| Semiconductor or device engineer | Work on chips, fabrication processes, device characterization, or packaging | Semiconductor physics, microelectronics, cleanroom or lab exposure |
| RF or communications engineer | Work on antennas, wireless systems, signal transmission, and communication hardware | Electromagnetics, signals, RF circuits, communications theory |
| Power electronics engineer | Design converters, inverters, motor drives, chargers, and energy conversion systems | Power systems, controls, thermal design, electronics |
Employers increasingly value candidates who can connect hardware with software. Even if your target role is electronics-heavy, learning Python, embedded C, version control, data acquisition, and automated testing can make your projects more credible.
Career fit matters. This degree is a strong choice if you enjoy math, troubleshooting, design constraints, and hands-on technical work. It may be a poor fit if you dislike physics, prefer nontechnical business roles, or want a short credential with minimal lab work.
What salary can electronics-focused electrical engineers expect?
Salary depends on role, industry, region, clearance eligibility, degree level, experience, and specialization. BLS May 2024 data reports a median annual wage of $111,910 for electrical engineers and $127,340 for electronics engineers, except computer. Those medians are useful benchmarks, but they are not guarantees for new graduates or career changers.
The table below shows how salary context differs across related roles. Use it to compare directionally, not as a promise of individual earnings:
| Role category | Relevant BLS occupation | May 2024 median annual wage | How to interpret it |
| Electrical engineering roles | Electrical engineers | $111,910 | Includes work in power, controls, electronics, systems, and related engineering functions |
| Electronics engineering roles | Electronics engineers, except computer | $127,340 | Often closer to communications, navigation, semiconductor, instrument, and electronic device work |
| Engineering technician roles | Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians | $77,180 | Can be a faster entry route, but typically has different advancement expectations than engineering design roles |
Job growth also supports careful program selection. The BLS projects employment for electrical and electronics engineers to grow 9% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average for all occupations. For students, this suggests opportunity, but competition may still be strong for desirable industries such as aerospace, semiconductors, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing.
To evaluate return on investment, compare expected cost against realistic entry routes. A student with transfer credits, internship access, and an ABET-accredited program may have a different risk profile than a student paying full private tuition without lab experience. The smarter question is not "Will this degree pay off?" but "Does this specific program give me the accreditation, projects, support, and affordability I need for my target roles?"
What licenses or certifications help in electronics engineering jobs?
Licenses and certifications are not always required for electronics engineering roles, but they can help in specific contexts. The most important credential is still usually the degree itself, especially for entry-level engineering positions. Additional credentials become more useful when they match a job function, regulated environment, or technical specialty.
The table below summarizes credentials that may matter for electronics-focused paths. Requirements vary by state, employer, and role, so verify expectations before spending money:
| Credential | Best for | When it helps |
| Engineer in Training or Fundamentals of Engineering exam | Students or graduates considering Professional Engineer licensure | Useful for power, consulting, public infrastructure, or regulated engineering work |
| Professional Engineer license | Engineers who sign, seal, or take legal responsibility for engineering work | Important in regulated fields, though less common in many electronics product-design roles |
| IPC electronics assembly or PCB credentials | Technicians, manufacturing engineers, quality roles, and PCB-focused professionals | Helpful when jobs involve electronics manufacturing standards or inspection |
| Certified LabVIEW Developer or similar test automation credential | Test, validation, and instrumentation engineers | Helpful when employers use automated measurement systems |
| Vendor or tool-specific training | Engineers using specific EDA, simulation, FPGA, or embedded development platforms | Useful as a skills signal, but strongest when paired with projects |
Do not collect certifications at random. Choose them only after reviewing job postings for your target role and identifying repeated requirements. For example, a test engineering applicant may benefit more from Python, instrumentation, and automated test projects than from a general electronics certificate with little employer recognition.
The most practical sequence is to complete the right degree foundation, build a portfolio, pursue internships or technician-to-engineer experience, and then add credentials that close specific gaps. If licensure might matter, contact your state engineering board early so you do not discover after graduation that your program choice created a longer path.
Other Things You Should Know About Electrical Engineering
Yes, some programs deliver labs through mailed kits, remote instruments, simulation software, or short in-person sessions. Before enrolling, ask exactly which labs require physical attendance and what equipment you must buy.
It can be harder if you need structure, immediate lab help, or in-person study groups. Online students usually need strong time management, comfort with math, and willingness to seek tutoring early.
Yes, but part-time enrollment is often more realistic. Courses such as calculus, physics, circuits, and electronics can be time-intensive, so working students should avoid overloading their first technical terms.
Most students need a reliable laptop or desktop that can run engineering software, simulations, coding tools, video meetings, and proctored exams. Check the program's hardware and operating system requirements before buying equipment.
References
- Why ABET Accreditation Matters - ABET https://www.abet.org/accreditation/what-is-accreditation/why-abet-accreditation-matters/
- Electrical Engineer Certifications: Best Credentials to Advance Your Career | Teal https://www.tealhq.com/career-paths/electrical-engineer-certifications
- Best Online Electrical Engineering Degrees 2025 https://www.onlineu.com/degrees/electrical-engineering
- Online Certificate in Electronics Engineering | AE.org https://academicearth.org/certificate-in-electronics-engineering/
- How important is ABET accreditation for Electrical Engineering? https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/how-important-is-abet-accreditation-for-electrical-engineering/1941391
- Free Online Electrical Engineering Courses | Alison https://alison.com/tag/electrical-engineering
- Online Electrical Engineering Degrees https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/degrees/engineering-programs/electrical-engineering/
