2026 Online Electrical Engineering Degrees for Students Who Want Electrical Engineer Careers
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Choosing an online electrical engineering degree is a high-stakes decision because the program must be flexible, rigorous, and credible to employers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for electrical and electronics engineers to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
This guide is for students, transfer applicants, and working adults who want electrical engineer careers. You will learn how online programs work, what accreditation matters, what they cost, and how to compare programs before enrolling.
Key Things You Should Know
- ABET-accredited electrical engineering programs are usually the safest choice for students who may need licensure, graduate school admission, or employer recognition; most bachelor's pathways require about 120 to 130 credits plus labs and design projects.
- The BLS reported a May 2024 median annual wage of $111,910 for electrical engineers, but pay varies by industry, region, experience, degree level, and whether the role involves power systems, electronics, controls, or embedded systems.
- For 2024-25, College Board reported average published tuition and fees of $11,610 for in-state public four-year institutions, $30,780 for out-of-state public institutions, and $43,350 for private nonprofit four-year institutions, so total cost depends heavily on residency, transfer credits, and fees.
What are online electrical engineering degrees?
Online electrical engineering degrees are college programs that teach students how to design, analyze, test, and improve electrical and electronic systems. Coursework usually covers circuits, electromagnetics, digital systems, signal processing, control systems, power systems, electronics, programming, and senior design. The "online" part typically applies to lectures, discussions, assignments, simulations, and exams; labs may use mailed kits, remote lab platforms, simulation software, campus visits, or approved local facilities.
The main decision is not simply whether a program is online. It is whether the degree level and curriculum match the type of engineering work you want to do. A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering is the standard entry point for many electrical engineer roles, while a master's degree can help working engineers specialize in power, communications, semiconductors, robotics, or embedded systems.
The table below compares common online electrical engineering pathways and what each one is usually designed to accomplish. Use it to separate engineering degrees from related technical credentials before you apply:
| Program type | Best fit | Typical focus | Important limitation |
| Associate degree or pre-engineering pathway | Students preparing to transfer into a bachelor's program | Calculus, physics, circuits, programming, and general education | Usually not enough by itself for electrical engineer job titles |
| Bachelor's in electrical engineering | Students seeking entry-level electrical engineer roles | Core engineering theory, labs, design, systems analysis, and technical communication | Must be checked carefully for ABET accreditation and lab requirements |
| Bachelor's in electrical engineering technology | Students interested in applied technical roles, testing, implementation, or field support | Hands-on applications, instrumentation, troubleshooting, and applied electronics | May not meet the same licensure or graduate school expectations as an engineering degree |
| Master's in electrical engineering | Engineers or STEM graduates seeking specialization or advancement | Advanced design, research, systems modeling, power, communications, controls, or microelectronics | Often requires a strong undergraduate foundation in math and engineering |
| Graduate certificate | Professionals needing targeted upskilling | One specialty area such as power systems, signal processing, or embedded systems | Not a substitute for a full engineering degree when a job requires one |
Students comparing engineering fields may also want to review an environmental engineering degree online if they are more interested in water systems, pollution control, sustainability infrastructure, and environmental compliance than electronics or power systems.
How do online and campus electrical engineering programs compare?
Online and campus electrical engineering programs can lead to similar academic outcomes when they share the same curriculum, faculty standards, accreditation, labs, and assessment methods. The difference is how students access instruction and complete hands-on work. Online programs can be a strong option for motivated learners, but they require more self-direction than many campus formats.
The table below shows the practical differences that matter most when comparing formats. Focus on lab delivery, schedule structure, student support, and whether the program's transcript or diploma differs from the campus version:
| Comparison point | Online electrical engineering | Campus electrical engineering | How to decide |
| Lectures | Often asynchronous, recorded, or live online | Usually in person at scheduled times | Choose online if you need flexibility; choose campus if you learn better with fixed structure |
| Labs | May use lab kits, simulations, remote equipment, or short residencies | Usually completed in campus labs | Ask exactly how each required lab is completed before enrolling |
| Design projects | Completed through virtual teams, mailed hardware, local resources, or campus intensives | Completed through campus teams and facilities | Look for projects that produce portfolio evidence employers can understand |
| Networking | Requires intentional effort through online career services, faculty contact, and professional groups | Often easier through labs, clubs, and campus recruiting | Online students should confirm access to career fairs, advising, and engineering organizations |
| Work-life fit | Often better for working adults, military students, caregivers, and transfer students | Often better for recent high school graduates who want a residential experience | Pick the format that you can sustain through advanced math and lab-heavy courses |
A common mistake is assuming that "online" means easier. Electrical engineering is math-heavy regardless of delivery format. Another mistake is choosing the cheapest program without checking whether labs, proctored exams, software, and senior design are supported well enough to build real engineering competence.
Before choosing a format, ask admissions advisors these questions and request written answers when possible:
- Is the online program the same degree as the campus program, and will the transcript identify it differently?
- How are physics, circuits, electronics, and senior design labs completed?
- Are any campus visits, live class meetings, proctored exams, or local lab placements required?
- What software, hardware kits, test equipment, and computer specifications will I need?
- Can online students access tutoring, faculty office hours, engineering career services, and internship support?
Which accreditation should an electrical engineering program have?
For electrical engineering, accreditation is one of the most important quality checks. The strongest signal is programmatic accreditation from ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission for an electrical engineering bachelor's program. ABET accreditation matters because many employers, graduate schools, and state licensing boards use it as evidence that the program meets recognized engineering education standards.
Students should understand the difference between institutional and programmatic accreditation. Institutional accreditation applies to the college or university as a whole. Programmatic accreditation applies to the engineering program itself. For future electrical engineers, both matter, but they do different jobs. Here's a quick breakdown:
| Accreditation type | What it evaluates | Why it matters |
| Institutional accreditation | The overall college or university | Often affects federal financial aid eligibility, credit transfer, and general academic recognition |
| ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission | The specific engineering program | Often important for engineering licensure, employer screening, and confidence in curriculum quality |
| ABET Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission | Engineering technology programs | Useful for applied technology roles, but it is not the same as an engineering accreditation pathway |
To verify a program, do not rely only on marketing language. Use this sequence before you apply:
- Confirm that the college has recognized institutional accreditation.
- Search the ABET database for the exact program name, degree level, campus or online designation, and accreditation commission.
- Ask whether the online version is included under the same ABET-accredited program listing.
- Check your state engineering board if you may pursue a Professional Engineer license later.
- Save screenshots or written confirmation for your records before paying enrollment deposits.
Red flags include vague phrases such as "aligned with ABET standards" without actual ABET accreditation, programs that will not explain lab delivery, and degrees labeled "electrical engineering" when the curriculum is actually closer to electronics technology or general engineering studies.
What courses are in an electrical engineering degree?
An electrical engineering curriculum builds from mathematics and physics into increasingly specialized engineering topics. Early courses teach students how to model physical systems and solve technical problems. Later courses focus on devices, systems, design trade-offs, safety, testing, and communication.
The table below summarizes common course areas and why they matter for engineering work. Exact titles vary by school, but the underlying competencies are similar across rigorous programs:
| Course area | What students learn | Career relevance |
| Calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra | Mathematical modeling, rates of change, systems, vectors, and transformations | Foundation for circuits, controls, electromagnetics, signal processing, and power analysis |
| Physics for engineers | Mechanics, electricity, magnetism, waves, and lab measurement | Builds the scientific base for electrical systems and instrumentation |
| Circuit analysis | Voltage, current, resistance, impedance, transient response, and network behavior | Core skill for electronics, power systems, testing, and hardware design |
| Electronics and semiconductor devices | Diodes, transistors, amplifiers, integrated circuits, and device behavior | Relevant to consumer electronics, medical devices, sensors, aerospace systems, and manufacturing |
| Digital logic and embedded systems | Logic gates, microcontrollers, hardware description, firmware, and interfaces | Useful for robotics, automotive systems, IoT devices, and automation |
| Signals and systems | Time-domain and frequency-domain analysis, filtering, sampling, and transforms | Important for communications, audio, imaging, radar, and control systems |
| Power systems | Generation, transmission, distribution, motors, transformers, and grid reliability | Relevant to utilities, renewable energy integration, facilities, and industrial systems |
| Senior design | Team-based engineering design, prototyping, documentation, testing, and presentation | Creates portfolio evidence and simulates professional engineering work |
Students should also expect programming and simulation tools. Common tools may include MATLAB, Python, SPICE-based circuit simulators, CAD tools, microcontroller development environments, and power systems software. The exact tools are less important than whether the program teaches students to use software to test assumptions, validate designs, and communicate results.
If you enjoy science and problem-solving but are unsure whether engineering-level calculus and physics are the right fit, comparing adjacent online science paths can help. For example, a nutrition school online may appeal more to students interested in health science, food systems, and human biology than electrical systems design.
What admissions requirements do online electrical engineering programs use?
Admissions requirements vary by degree level and by whether the applicant is a first-year, transfer, or graduate student. Online electrical engineering programs often look closely at math readiness because success in calculus, physics, circuits, and signals depends on strong quantitative preparation.
Most bachelor's programs ask for a combination of academic records and readiness indicators. Transfer applicants may receive the most scrutiny because engineering course sequences are tightly structured. Here's what you need:
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent credential for undergraduate admission.
- Transcripts showing strong preparation in algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, chemistry, and physics when available.
- Minimum GPA requirements that vary by institution and may be higher for engineering than for general admission.
- Placement tests or prior college math credits to determine calculus readiness.
- Transfer syllabi for previous calculus, physics, programming, or engineering courses.
- For master's programs, a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related STEM field, along with prerequisite coursework.
- Possible resume, statement of purpose, recommendation letters, or GRE scores depending on the graduate program.
If your math background is weak, it is usually better to take the right prerequisite course than to rush into calculus unprepared. Electrical engineering sequences can become difficult to recover from if a student fails an early math or physics course that unlocks later engineering classes.
Use these steps to improve your chances of admission and persistence:
- Ask for a degree plan that shows every prerequisite chain from the first term through senior design.
- Send unofficial transcripts for a preliminary transfer review before applying formally.
- Retake or refresh precalculus if you have been away from math for several years.
- Confirm whether transfer credits reduce both tuition and time to degree, not just elective requirements.
- Ask whether admitted online students can start in any term or only in a cohort-based sequence.
How long does an online electrical engineering degree take?
An online bachelor's degree in electrical engineering commonly takes about four years of full-time study for first-time students, but the real timeline depends on transfer credits, math placement, course availability, and whether the program offers labs every term. Part-time students often need longer because prerequisite chains limit how many engineering courses can be taken out of order.
The table below gives a practical timeline for different student profiles. Use it as a planning guide rather than a promise, because individual degree audits and course sequencing can change the result:
| Student profile | Typical path | Timeline considerations |
| First-time full-time student | Starts with calculus, physics, programming, and introductory engineering | Often planned around a four-year sequence if courses are passed on schedule |
| Transfer student with an engineering associate pathway | Enters with calculus, physics, and general education credits | May finish faster if credits match the receiving school's engineering requirements |
| Working adult studying part time | Takes one or two technical courses per term | May need extra time because labs and prerequisites cannot always be compressed |
| Graduate student in a master's program | Completes advanced technical courses, projects, or thesis work | Can vary based on course load, research requirements, and employer tuition support |
Students who want to finish efficiently should plan around prerequisites, not just credit totals. A 120-credit program can still take longer than expected if calculus, physics, circuits, and electronics are offered in a fixed sequence.
To reduce delays, take these actions before enrolling:
- Ask for a term-by-term plan based on your actual transfer credits and work schedule.
- Confirm how often required engineering courses are offered online.
- Find out whether summer terms include technical courses or only general education courses.
- Complete math placement early so you know whether you can begin in calculus.
- Avoid dropping prerequisite courses without asking how it will affect the next two or three terms.
What do online electrical engineering degrees cost?
Online electrical engineering degree costs vary widely because tuition is only one part of the total price. Students may also pay technology fees, proctoring fees, lab kit costs, software costs, textbooks, graduation fees, and travel costs for any required campus residencies.
Public universities may be much cheaper for in-state students, but some online programs charge a separate online tuition rate regardless of residency.
For 2024-25, College Board reported the following average published tuition and fees for four-year institutions. These figures are useful benchmarks, but they do not include every engineering-specific cost or the effect of scholarships, grants, employer assistance, or transfer credits:
- $11,610 for in-state students at public four-year institutions.
- $30,780 for out-of-state students at public four-year institutions.
- $43,350 for students at private nonprofit four-year institutions.
The table below explains cost factors that are especially important for online electrical engineering students. Review them before comparing schools by tuition alone:
| Cost factor | Why it matters | Question to ask |
| Transfer credit policy | Accepted credits can reduce both tuition and time, but engineering credits may be evaluated strictly | Which prior courses apply to major requirements, not just electives? |
| Lab delivery | Lab kits, remote lab access, or campus visits may add costs | What equipment, travel, or lab fees are required each year? |
| Software and hardware | Engineering software and a capable computer may be necessary | Are software licenses included in tuition and fees? |
| Course repeat rules | Repeating calculus, physics, or circuits can raise total cost and delay graduation | What academic support is available for high-risk courses? |
| Residency pricing | Out-of-state tuition can significantly change affordability | Is there a flat online rate or a residency-based rate? |
Students comparing online programs across fields can learn a lot from cost structures in other disciplines. For example, a librarian degree online may have fewer lab and equipment costs than engineering, which shows why total cost of attendance matters more than tuition alone.
The best affordability strategy is to calculate net cost, not sticker price. Subtract grants, scholarships, employer tuition benefits, military benefits, and accepted transfer credits, then add required fees, lab materials, software, and travel. A program with higher tuition can sometimes cost less overall if it accepts more credits or has stronger financial aid.
What jobs can electrical engineering graduates get?
Electrical engineering graduates can work in industries that design, build, power, automate, and test modern systems. Common employers include utilities, electronics manufacturers, semiconductor companies, aerospace and defense firms, telecommunications companies, automotive manufacturers, robotics companies, medical device companies, consulting firms, and government agencies.
The table below connects common job titles with typical responsibilities. Job titles vary by employer, so students should read postings carefully and compare required skills, software, security clearance needs, and degree expectations:
| Job title | Typical responsibilities | Relevant preparation |
| Electrical engineer | Designs, tests, and improves electrical systems, components, or equipment | Circuits, electronics, power, design, testing, and technical documentation |
| Power systems engineer | Works on generation, transmission, distribution, grid reliability, or facility power | Power systems, machines, protection, renewable integration, and safety standards |
| Controls engineer | Designs automation, feedback systems, sensors, and control logic | Control systems, programming, instrumentation, and industrial processes |
| Electronics engineer | Develops or evaluates electronic devices, boards, sensors, or communications hardware | Analog electronics, digital systems, PCB concepts, signal integrity, and testing |
| Embedded systems engineer | Works on hardware-software systems in devices, vehicles, robotics, or IoT products | Microcontrollers, C or C++, digital logic, interfaces, and real-time systems |
| Test engineer | Creates test plans, validates performance, troubleshoots failures, and documents results | Instrumentation, data analysis, lab methods, scripting, and quality processes |
Current hiring trends favor engineers who can connect hardware, software, and data. AI and automation are not replacing the need for electrical engineers, but they are changing workflows. Employers increasingly value engineers who can use simulation, scripting, machine learning tools, digital twins, and automated testing while still understanding the physical behavior of circuits and systems.
Students interested in sustainability but unsure whether they want to design electrical infrastructure can compare related career paths by reviewing what can I do with an environmental science degree. That path typically focuses more on environmental assessment, conservation, policy, and compliance than engineering design.
To prepare for electrical engineering jobs while studying online, build evidence of practical ability. Employers often respond well to project portfolios, internship experience, undergraduate research, competition teams, open-source hardware projects, and clear documentation of design decisions.
How much do electrical engineers earn?
The BLS reported a May 2024 median annual wage of $111,910 for electrical engineers. This is a national median, not a starting salary and not a guarantee. New graduates, experienced engineers, licensed engineers, and specialists in high-demand industries can fall above or below that point depending on location, employer, technical specialty, and labor market conditions.
Salary comparisons are most useful when tied to role expectations. The table below shows factors that commonly influence pay and how students should interpret them before estimating return on investment:
| Salary factor | How it affects earnings | What students should do |
| Industry | Semiconductors, aerospace, utilities, defense, consulting, and manufacturing can have different pay structures | Compare job postings in the industries you actually want to enter |
| Location | Pay often reflects regional demand and cost of living | Look at local salary ranges, not just national medians |
| Experience | Entry-level roles usually pay less than senior design, lead, or principal engineer roles | Ask programs about internship placement and early-career outcomes |
| Specialization | Power, controls, embedded systems, RF, electronics, and signal processing may have different demand patterns | Select electives and projects that match target roles |
| Licensure or clearance | Some roles value a PE license, security clearance, or regulated-industry experience | Check requirements in your preferred sector before choosing electives |
When evaluating whether the degree is worth it, compare expected net cost with realistic job targets. A strong ROI case is easier to make when the program is accredited, affordable after aid, accepts meaningful transfer credits, supports internships, and gives students project work aligned with hiring needs.
A common mistake is using a national median salary as if it were an individual outcome. A better approach is to collect job postings in your target region, list the required skills, and compare those requirements with the curriculum, labs, electives, and career support of each program.
What licensing or certifications do electrical engineers need?
Not every electrical engineer needs a license, but licensure can matter a lot in public-facing engineering work, power systems, consulting, utilities, construction, and roles where engineers sign or seal plans. Requirements vary by state, so students should check the engineering board in the state where they plan to practice.
The most common licensure path in the United States is the Professional Engineer pathway. It typically begins with an ABET-accredited engineering degree, followed by the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, supervised engineering experience, and the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. State boards set the final rules.
| Credential | Who may need it | Why it matters |
| FE exam and Engineer in Training or Engineer Intern status | Students and early-career graduates planning for PE licensure | Shows progress toward professional licensure and is often taken near graduation |
| Professional Engineer license | Engineers in consulting, public infrastructure, power, utilities, and regulated work | May be required to take legal responsibility for certain engineering designs |
| Industry or vendor certifications | Engineers working with specific tools, platforms, safety standards, or technical systems | Can supplement a degree but usually does not replace it |
| Security clearance | Engineers in defense, aerospace, government, or certain contractor roles | May be required by the employer and is not controlled by the college |
Students who might pursue licensure should take a conservative approach when choosing a program:
- Prioritize an ABET-accredited electrical engineering bachelor's program when available.
- Confirm whether the online program meets the education expectations of your state engineering board.
- Ask faculty or advisors when students typically take the FE exam.
- Choose electives and projects aligned with power, infrastructure, controls, or other licensure-relevant areas if those are your goals.
- Keep syllabi, transcripts, lab descriptions, and degree documentation in case a licensing board requests them later.
For students focused on electronics, embedded systems, software-hardware integration, or product development, a PE license may be less central. In those areas, portfolios, internships, technical interviews, coding ability, lab experience, and domain-specific tools may carry more weight.
Other Things You Should Know About Electrical Engineering
Some programs allow online labs through mailed kits, simulations, remote lab equipment, or short campus residencies. Always ask how each required lab is completed, because hands-on requirements vary significantly by school.
Neither is automatically harder, but they emphasize different strengths. Electrical engineering usually goes deeper into circuits, electromagnetics, power, signals, and hardware, while computer engineering often places more weight on digital systems, computer architecture, and software-hardware integration.
It is possible, especially in a part-time program, but the workload can be demanding. Calculus, physics, labs, and design projects require consistent study time, so working students should avoid overloading technical courses in the same term.
Requirements vary by school, but students typically need a reliable computer that can run engineering software, simulations, video meetings, and programming tools. Ask the department for official specifications before buying a laptop.
References
- Online Electrical Engineering Degrees https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/degrees/engineering-programs/electrical-engineering/
- Accreditation - ABET https://www.abet.org/accreditation/
- 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
- The Significance of Electrical Engineering Certification for Professional Advancement - CertLibrary Blog https://www.certlibrary.com/blog/the-significance-of-electrical-engineering-certification-for-professional-advancement/
- Electrical Engineer Salary in AU (July, 2026) – SEEK https://au.seek.com/career-advice/role/electrical-engineer/salary
- College of Engineering https://www.utoledo.edu/engineering/abet-accreditation
- Electrical Engineering degrees https://www.whatuni.com/degree-courses/search
- What jobs can you do with an electrical engineering degree? https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/engineering/what-jobs-can-you-do-electrical-engineering-degree
- 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/
