2026 How to Choose an Online Electrical Engineering Degree With Good Student Support
Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist
Choosing an online electrical engineering degree is a high-stakes decision because the wrong program can limit lab access, licensing options, transfer credits, or career support. The field remains attractive: the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median pay of $118,780 for electrical and electronics engineers, with 9% projected employment growth from 2023 to 2033.
This guide is for students comparing online programs and wondering which ones are worth the investment. You will learn how to evaluate accreditation, student support, curriculum, cost, timeline, licensing fit, and career outcomes before enrolling.
Key Things You Should Know
- An online electrical engineering bachelor's degree is strongest when it combines institutional accreditation, ABET program accreditation when licensure is a goal, hands-on lab access, faculty interaction, and career services.
- Cost varies widely: College Board's 2024-25 figures show average published tuition and fees of $11,610 for in-state public four-year students, $30,780 for out-of-state public students, and $43,350 for private nonprofit four-year students.
- The career outlook is favorable but not automatic; BLS reports $118,780 median 2024 pay for electrical and electronics engineers and 9% projected job growth from 2023 to 2033, so program quality, internships, projects, and location still matter.
What makes an online electrical engineering degree worth choosing?
An online electrical engineering degree is worth choosing when it gives you the same academic depth, lab practice, faculty access, and career preparation you would expect from a strong campus program. Electrical engineering is not a purely theoretical field; students need to understand circuits, signals, systems, electronics, electromagnetics, power, controls, and embedded hardware well enough to solve real design problems.
The best online programs are usually built for students who need flexibility without giving up academic rigor. If you are comparing online engineering degree programs, look beyond tuition and check whether the school has structured advising, remote or in-person labs, tutoring in math-heavy courses, faculty office hours, and internship support.
Use the following table to separate strong programs from options that may look convenient but provide weak support. These signals matter because electrical engineering students often struggle most when online courses are self-paced but labs, calculus, and upper-level design work are not well supported.
| Selection factor | What to look for | Why it matters |
| Accreditation | Institutional accreditation and, for many bachelor's programs, ABET accreditation | Supports credit transfer, employer recognition, graduate admission, and licensing pathways |
| Student support | Academic advising, engineering tutoring, faculty access, technical help, and career coaching | Reduces the risk of getting stuck in calculus, physics, circuits, labs, or capstone work |
| Lab structure | Remote lab kits, simulation software, short campus residencies, or approved local labs | Shows how the program teaches hands-on engineering skills online |
| Curriculum depth | Core electrical engineering courses plus design, programming, and electives | Helps prepare students for engineering roles rather than only technician-level work |
| Career connection | Internship help, employer partnerships, project portfolios, and alumni outcomes | Improves your ability to translate the degree into interviews and early-career experience |
A good fit is usually a student who can handle college-level math, wants a design or systems-focused engineering role, and needs schedule flexibility. A weaker fit is someone who wants a faster, less math-heavy credential, or someone who specifically needs daily in-person lab access and face-to-face study groups.
Before choosing, ask the school direct questions that reveal whether "online" means well-supported or simply self-directed. These questions can prevent expensive surprises later.
- Are electrical engineering courses taught by full-time engineering faculty or mostly adjunct instructors?
- How are labs delivered, and what equipment or software must students buy?
- Is the electrical engineering program ABET-accredited, and does accreditation apply to the online format?
- How quickly do faculty respond to questions in upper-level engineering courses?
- What tutoring is available for calculus, differential equations, physics, circuits, and electronics?
- What percentage of online students complete senior design or capstone projects with industry-style deliverables?
How do you verify accreditation for electrical engineering programs?
Accreditation is the first filter for choosing an online electrical engineering degree because it affects recognition, licensing, credit transfer, financial aid eligibility, and graduate school options. There are two levels to check: institutional accreditation for the college or university, and programmatic accreditation for the engineering program.
For electrical engineering, the most important programmatic accreditor is ABET. ABET accreditation is especially important if you plan to pursue the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, Professional Engineer licensing, government engineering work, or graduate study in a competitive engineering department. Some reputable online master's programs may not require ABET accreditation at the graduate level, but bachelor's students should be especially careful.
Follow this verification process before you submit an application or deposit. Do not rely only on a school's marketing page, because accreditation can vary by campus, program title, and delivery format.
- Confirm the college or university has institutional accreditation from an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
- Search the ABET accredited program database using the exact institution name and exact program name.
- Check whether the accredited program is "Electrical Engineering," "Electrical and Computer Engineering," or a different title such as "Engineering Technology."
- Ask admissions whether the online version is covered under the same ABET-accredited program listing as the campus version.
- Contact your state licensing board if you plan to become a Professional Engineer, because PE eligibility rules vary by state.
- Save written confirmation from the school and licensing board before enrolling if licensure is central to your goal.
Common red flags include vague claims such as "ABET-aligned," "modeled after ABET standards," or "accreditation pending." Those statements are not the same as current ABET accreditation. Another mistake is confusing electrical engineering with electrical engineering technology. Both can be valuable, but they may lead to different job categories and licensing pathways.
Which online electrical engineering degrees qualify for licensing?
Professional Engineer licensing is not required for every electrical engineering job, but it can matter in power systems, utilities, public infrastructure, consulting, government contracts, and roles where engineers sign or seal work. Licensing rules are state-specific, so the safest path is usually an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline, followed by the FE exam, qualifying work experience, and the PE exam.
The table below summarizes how common online electrical engineering credentials typically align with licensure. It is a starting point, not a substitute for checking your state board's requirements.
| Credential | Typical licensing fit | Best for |
| ABET-accredited online bachelor's in electrical engineering | Often the strongest academic route for FE and PE eligibility | Students who want the broadest engineering and licensing options |
| Non-ABET bachelor's in electrical engineering | May be accepted by some employers, but licensing may be harder or require extra review | Students focused on non-licensed roles who have verified employer and state requirements |
| Electrical engineering technology degree | Licensing eligibility varies more and may be limited in some states | Students seeking applied, hands-on technical roles rather than traditional engineering design roles |
| Online master's in electrical engineering | Can strengthen specialization, but does not always replace an ABET-accredited undergraduate degree for PE purposes | Engineers with a bachelor's degree who want advancement in power, controls, communications, or electronics |
| Certificate or bootcamp-style program | Usually not sufficient for engineering licensure | Professionals adding a narrow skill such as embedded systems, power electronics, or signal processing |
If licensing is even a possibility, choose backward from the license instead of forward from the degree advertisement. Start with the state board where you expect to work, confirm acceptable degrees, and then compare programs. This is especially important for online students who may live in one state, enroll in another, and later work in a third.
Licensure-focused students should also ask about FE exam preparation, power systems electives, faculty with PE credentials, and senior design projects that resemble real engineering practice. These details do not replace accreditation, but they can improve readiness for the early licensing steps.
How do online and campus electrical engineering programs compare?
Online and campus electrical engineering programs can lead to similar academic outcomes when the online program is intentionally designed, properly accredited, and supported with strong labs and advising. The main difference is not whether lectures are online; it is how the program handles interaction, experimentation, teamwork, and academic accountability.
Electrical engineering is less flexible than some online-friendly fields because students need lab work, design projects, and troubleshooting practice. By contrast, a fully online library science degree may rely less on physical lab equipment, while electrical engineering programs must explain how students complete hands-on technical requirements.
The table below compares practical differences that affect student success. Use it to decide whether you need the structure of campus learning or the flexibility of online study.
| Factor | Online electrical engineering | Campus electrical engineering |
| Schedule | More flexible for working adults, military students, and students far from campus | More structured class times and easier access to on-site routines |
| Labs | May use remote kits, simulations, virtual labs, local proctors, or short residencies | Usually offers direct access to campus equipment and lab staff |
| Faculty access | Depends heavily on office hours, response times, and course design | May offer easier informal access before and after class |
| Peer support | Requires intentional online study groups and team tools | Often easier to build through labs, clubs, and class cohorts |
| Career exposure | Can be strong if the school has remote career services and industry projects | May provide easier access to campus career fairs and local employer visits |
Online study makes the most sense when you are self-directed, have reliable technology, can set a weekly study schedule, and need to balance school with work or family responsibilities. Campus study may be better if you need frequent in-person help, want access to specialized equipment, or learn best through structured peer interaction.
A common mistake is assuming that asynchronous courses automatically mean easier courses. In electrical engineering, asynchronous learning can be harder if the program does not provide quick help when you get stuck on derivations, circuits, code, or lab reports.
What courses are in an online electrical engineering curriculum?
An online electrical engineering curriculum usually starts with math and science foundations, then moves into circuits, electronics, signals, systems, power, communications, controls, programming, and design. A strong curriculum should help you move from solving textbook problems to building, modeling, testing, and explaining engineering solutions.
The table below shows common course areas and what they prepare you to do. Course titles vary by school, but these categories are useful for comparing program depth.
| Course area | What students learn | Why it matters |
| Calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra | Mathematical modeling, rates of change, systems, vectors, and transformations | Forms the foundation for signals, controls, electromagnetics, and circuit analysis |
| Physics and electromagnetics | Electric fields, magnetic fields, waves, and energy behavior | Supports work in power, antennas, communications, and devices |
| Circuit analysis | Voltage, current, resistance, impedance, transient response, and network behavior | Prepares students for electronics, power, and hardware troubleshooting |
| Electronics | Diodes, transistors, amplifiers, filters, and semiconductor devices | Builds skills for hardware, instrumentation, and embedded systems |
| Signals and systems | Signal processing, frequency response, sampling, and system modeling | Supports communications, controls, audio, imaging, and data acquisition |
| Power systems | Generation, transmission, distribution, machines, and grid behavior | Useful for utilities, renewable energy, infrastructure, and PE-oriented roles |
| Embedded systems and programming | Microcontrollers, C or C++, sensors, firmware, and hardware-software integration | Connects electrical engineering to robotics, vehicles, IoT, and automation |
| Capstone design | Team-based design, documentation, testing, project management, and presentation | Provides portfolio evidence for employers and graduate programs |
Current technology trends make curriculum details especially important. Employers increasingly value engineers who can work across hardware, software, data, and automation. That does not mean every electrical engineering student needs to become a software developer, but it does mean a program with programming, simulation tools, embedded systems, and AI-aware design electives may offer stronger preparation than a narrowly traditional curriculum.
When comparing curricula, look for both required courses and elective pathways. A power-focused student should see power electronics, energy conversion, and grid-related electives. A student interested in robotics should see controls, embedded systems, sensors, and real-time programming. A communications-focused student should look for signals, digital communications, RF, and probability.
What admission requirements do online electrical engineering programs need?
Admission requirements depend on degree level. Bachelor's programs usually focus on high school preparation, transfer credits, math readiness, and science background. Master's programs usually require an engineering or closely related bachelor's degree, prerequisite coursework, and evidence that the student can handle graduate-level quantitative work.
Electrical engineering admissions are usually more math-intensive than many other online programs. For example, an online dietitian degree may emphasize biology, chemistry, and supervised practice pathways, while electrical engineering places heavier early pressure on calculus, physics, circuits, and programming readiness.
Most schools ask for a combination of academic records and readiness indicators. Review these requirements early so you can fill gaps before applying.
- Official high school transcripts or college transcripts from every institution attended
- Evidence of algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, chemistry, and physics preparation, depending on entry level
- Minimum GPA requirements, which may be higher for engineering than for general university admission
- Placement testing or prerequisite review for math and science sequencing
- Transfer credit evaluation for community college or prior university coursework
- Personal statement, resume, or goals statement for some bachelor's completion and graduate programs
- Letters of recommendation for many master's programs and some competitive bachelor's programs
Transfer students should be especially careful with course equivalencies. A physics or circuits course may transfer as general credit but not satisfy the engineering requirement if it lacks the right lab component or calculus base. Ask for a written degree audit before enrolling, not just an informal estimate.
A major red flag is a program that admits students quickly but does not assess math readiness. Electrical engineering attrition often happens because students enter circuits or physics without the required calculus and problem-solving background. Strong programs may feel more demanding during admission, but that screening can protect you from starting a sequence you are not ready to finish.
How long does an online electrical engineering degree take?
An online electrical engineering bachelor's degree typically requires about the same credit load as a campus engineering degree, often around four years for a full-time first-time student. Bachelor's completion programs can be shorter for students who already have transferable calculus, physics, general education, and lower-division engineering credits. Master's programs are often designed for working engineers and may take one to three years depending on pace.
The table below gives a practical timeline comparison. Your actual time will depend on transfer credits, course availability, prerequisites, whether labs require residencies, and whether you study full time or part time.
| Program type | Typical student profile | Common completion pattern |
| Full bachelor's degree | First-time student or student with few transfer credits | Usually about four years of full-time study |
| Bachelor's completion program | Student with an associate degree or substantial STEM transfer credit | Often about two to three years, depending on accepted credits and prerequisites |
| Part-time bachelor's pathway | Working adult, military student, parent, or career changer | Often longer than four years because engineering courses must be sequenced carefully |
| Master's in electrical engineering | Student with an engineering or closely related bachelor's degree | Often one to three years depending on course load and thesis or non-thesis format |
| Graduate certificate | Engineer adding a focused skill area | Usually shorter than a degree, but not a substitute for a full engineering credential |
The biggest timeline issue in electrical engineering is sequencing. You usually cannot take circuits before the required math and physics, and you cannot complete advanced controls, electronics, or communications before finishing the lower-level foundation. Online students should check whether critical courses are offered every term or only once per year.
To shorten your timeline responsibly, prioritize transferable general education, calculus, physics, and programming courses from accredited institutions. Avoid overloading your first term with multiple technical courses if you are also working full time; a slower start can be cheaper than withdrawing or repeating a course.
How much does an online electrical engineering degree cost?
The cost of an online electrical engineering degree includes more than tuition. Students may also pay technology fees, lab kit costs, simulation software fees, textbooks, exam proctoring fees, travel for campus labs, and lost work hours if the program requires synchronous participation.
College Board's 2024-25 national tuition figures provide a useful benchmark for comparing advertised prices. These are broad averages, so use them to evaluate whether a program is unusually low, typical, or high before calculating your own net cost.
- Public four-year in-state average published tuition and fees: $11,610
- Public four-year out-of-state average published tuition and fees: $30,780
- Private nonprofit four-year average published tuition and fees: $43,350
For online electrical engineering students, the most important number is net cost, not sticker price. Net cost is what remains after scholarships, grants, employer tuition assistance, military benefits, transfer credits, and any residency-based tuition discounts.
A higher-priced program may be reasonable if it accepts more credits, provides better labs, or leads to stronger career support, while a cheaper program may cost more in the long run if credits do not transfer or licensure options are limited.
The table below summarizes cost drivers that are easy to miss. Review each item before comparing offers from different schools.
| Cost factor | Why it matters | Question to ask |
| Tuition model | Per-credit, flat-rate, in-state, out-of-state, and online tuition rules can change the total price | What is the total estimated tuition for the full degree plan? |
| Transfer credits | Accepted credits can shorten the degree and reduce tuition | How many credits apply directly to the electrical engineering major? |
| Lab fees and equipment | Electrical engineering may require kits, components, instruments, or campus visits | What lab costs are required each year? |
| Software | Students may need circuit simulation, programming, CAD, or modeling tools | Are software licenses included in tuition and fees? |
| Course repeats | Math and engineering courses can be expensive to repeat | What tutoring and early-alert support are available for high-risk courses? |
| Travel requirements | Some online programs require short residencies or proctored labs | How often must online students travel, and where? |
To control costs, start with a written transfer evaluation, complete lower-division prerequisites at an accredited lower-cost institution when appropriate, apply for engineering scholarships, and ask employers about tuition assistance. Also compare withdrawal deadlines and repeat policies, because engineering courses can become costly if you fall behind without support.
What jobs can you get with an electrical engineering degree?
An electrical engineering degree can lead to roles in power, electronics, embedded systems, telecommunications, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, robotics, renewable energy, transportation, and semiconductor-related work. The degree is broad, but job fit depends heavily on electives, internships, projects, software skills, and whether the role requires licensure.
Some students choose electrical engineering because it keeps both hardware and software pathways open. If you discover that you prefer modeling, analytics, or machine learning more than circuits and hardware, comparing data science degrees can help you decide whether a data-centered path better matches your interests.
The table below connects common job paths to the kind of work they involve. Use it to choose electives and projects that match your target role.
| Job path | Typical responsibilities | Helpful preparation |
| Electrical engineer | Designs, tests, and improves electrical systems, devices, or components | Circuits, electronics, design projects, testing, and documentation |
| Power systems engineer | Works on generation, transmission, distribution, substations, grid reliability, or energy systems | Power systems, machines, renewable energy, protection, and PE-oriented coursework |
| Electronics engineer | Develops electronic circuits, boards, sensors, instrumentation, or communication devices | Analog and digital electronics, PCB design, lab testing, and simulation |
| Embedded systems engineer | Builds hardware-software systems using microcontrollers, sensors, and firmware | C or C++, microcontrollers, real-time systems, electronics, and debugging |
| Controls engineer | Designs automation and control systems for machines, robots, vehicles, or industrial processes | Controls, dynamics, programming, sensors, and industrial systems |
| Telecommunications or RF engineer | Works with signals, wireless systems, antennas, networks, or communications hardware | Signals, electromagnetics, communications, probability, and RF electives |
| Test engineer | Develops test procedures, validates systems, analyzes failures, and documents performance | Lab methods, data acquisition, statistics, scripting, and troubleshooting |
To improve employability, build a portfolio before graduation. Good portfolio evidence includes a capstone design report, code repository, circuit simulation, PCB project, lab documentation, embedded system demo, or power systems analysis. Employers often want proof that you can solve messy problems, not just complete courses.
Common mistakes include graduating without internships, choosing random electives, ignoring programming, or completing team projects without documenting your individual contribution. A smarter approach is to pick a target job family by your junior year and align electives, projects, certifications, and internship searches around it.
What salary and job outlook does electrical engineering offer?
Electrical engineering offers strong earning potential, but salaries vary by role, industry, region, experience, clearance requirements, and technical specialty. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for electrical and electronics engineers was $118,780 in 2024. This figure is useful as a labor-market benchmark, not a promise of what any individual graduate will earn.
The job outlook is also favorable. BLS projects 9% employment growth for electrical and electronics engineers from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. For students, this suggests continued demand, especially in areas tied to electrification, automation, semiconductors, communications, defense systems, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.
The table below explains how different career choices can affect earning potential and stability. It avoids promising salaries because compensation depends on employer, location, and experience.
| Career factor | How it can affect salary and outlook | Decision takeaway |
| Industry | Defense, aerospace, utilities, semiconductors, and technology firms may value different specializations | Choose electives and projects that match the industries hiring in your target region |
| Location | Engineering salaries often reflect local cost of living and regional employer concentration | Compare job postings in the state or metro area where you plan to work |
| Licensure | PE licensing can matter more in power, consulting, infrastructure, and public-facing engineering work | Choose an ABET-aligned pathway early if licensed practice is a goal |
| Technical depth | Specialized skills in power electronics, RF, embedded systems, controls, or signal processing can improve competitiveness | Use electives, internships, and capstone projects to build a coherent specialty |
| Experience | Internships, co-ops, research, and project portfolios can influence entry-level opportunities | Do not wait until graduation to build evidence of applied skills |
AI and automation are changing the work, but they are not eliminating the need for electrical engineers. Modern engineers increasingly use simulation, automation scripts, digital twins, AI-assisted design tools, and data analysis. Programs that teach fundamentals while exposing students to current tools may offer better long-term value than programs focused only on legacy coursework.
For return on investment, compare total cost against realistic career goals. A lower-cost accredited program with strong support and relevant projects may be a better investment than a prestigious but expensive program that offers limited flexibility or poor online student services.
Other Things You Should Know About Electrical Engineering
Many employers focus more on accreditation, skills, projects, internships, and interview performance than on whether lectures were online. The safest option is an accredited university with a rigorous engineering curriculum and clear lab requirements.
Yes, but it is demanding. Full-time workers often need a part-time course load, especially during calculus, physics, circuits, electronics, and lab-heavy terms. Ask the school for a sample schedule designed for working adults.
Helpful preparation includes basic programming, spreadsheets, circuit simulation, technical writing, and comfort with online collaboration tools. Python, C, or C++ can be especially useful for embedded systems, controls, and data analysis.
Neither is universally harder; they emphasize different strengths. Electrical engineering leans more into circuits, signals, power, electromagnetics, and hardware, while computer engineering typically adds more computer architecture, digital systems, and software-hardware integration.
References
- Credentials Evaluations | NCEES https://ncees.org/ncees-services/credentials-evaluations/
- What can you do with an electrical engineering degree? - People of Pacific https://www.pacific.edu/blog/2025/01/24/what-can-you-do-with-an-electrical-engineering-degree/
- Online Electrical Engineering Degrees https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/degrees/engineering-programs/electrical-engineering/
- Find Programs - ABET https://www.abet.org/accreditation/find-programs/
- Despite a sluggish job market, studying electrical engineering offers good prospects https://www.vde.com/en/press/press-releases/electrical-engineering-job-market-studies
- Free Online Electrical Engineering Courses | Alison https://alison.com/tag/electrical-engineering
