2026 Online Electrical Engineering Degrees That Help Build Automation Skills
Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist
Choosing an online electrical engineering degree is really a decision about whether you want to build systems that power robotics, smart factories, grids, vehicles, and connected devices. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for electrical and electronics engineers to grow 9% from 2024 to 2034, signaling strong demand for technical talent.
This guide is for students, working technicians, and career changers who want automation-focused skills and need to compare accreditation, curriculum, cost, time commitment, and career value before enrolling.
Key Things You Should Know
- ABET-accredited online electrical engineering programs are the safest choice for students who may pursue engineering licensure, graduate school, or employers that screen for programmatic accreditation.
- Automation-focused programs typically build skills in circuits, controls, PLCs, embedded systems, sensors, power systems, robotics, and industrial networks rather than only general electronics theory.
- College Board data for 2024-25 lists average published tuition and fees at $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.
What are online electrical engineering degrees for automation skills?
Online electrical engineering degrees teach students how electricity, electronics, software, and control systems work together. When the program is automation-focused, the degree goes beyond circuit analysis and power fundamentals to include the technologies used in robotics, manufacturing controls, smart buildings, energy systems, autonomous equipment, and industrial internet-of-things environments.
Most students considering this path are looking at a bachelor's degree, although some schools also offer online master's degrees or graduate certificates in controls, robotics, embedded systems, or power electronics. If you are comparing bachelor's options, a ranked guide to an online bachelor's in electrical engineering can help you identify programs that fit your budget, transfer credits, and career goals.
The degree is a good fit if you like math, problem-solving, physical systems, coding, and hands-on troubleshooting. It may not be the right investment if your goal is a shorter technician pathway, a purely software role, or a career that does not require engineering-level calculus, physics, and design work.
Use this comparison to understand how common electrical engineering credentials differ before choosing a program level.
| Credential | Best fit | Automation relevance | Typical limitation |
| Certificate | Technicians or engineers adding a focused skill. | PLC programming, robotics basics, industrial controls, sensors. | Usually not enough for engineering roles that require a bachelor's degree. |
| Associate degree | Students seeking technician, maintenance, or transfer pathways. | Hands-on electronics, instrumentation, troubleshooting. | May not qualify for engineer-titled positions. |
| Bachelor's degree | Students seeking entry-level engineering roles. | Controls, embedded systems, power, signals, design projects. | Requires significant math, lab work, and time commitment. |
| Master's degree | Engineers seeking specialization or advancement. | Advanced control theory, robotics, power electronics, AI-enabled systems. | Usually requires a strong engineering or related technical background. |
Are online electrical engineering programs accredited?
Yes, some online electrical engineering programs are accredited, but students need to check both institutional and programmatic accreditation. Institutional accreditation shows that the college or university meets broad academic and administrative standards. Programmatic accreditation, especially from ABET for engineering programs, is often more important for electrical engineering students.
ABET accreditation matters because it signals that the curriculum includes appropriate math, science, engineering design, faculty qualifications, assessment, and continuous improvement. It can also affect eligibility for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, Professional Engineer licensure, graduate admissions, and employer screening in regulated or safety-critical engineering environments.
Before applying, verify accreditation directly rather than relying only on marketing language. These steps reduce the risk of enrolling in a program that does not support your long-term goals:
- Search the school's institutional accreditation status through the U.S. Department of Education or the school's accreditor.
- Check ABET's official accredited program search for the exact program name, degree level, campus, and delivery format.
- Ask whether online students complete the same labs, design projects, and assessments as campus students.
- If licensure may matter, confirm requirements with the engineering board in the state where you plan to work.
- Be cautious if a school says it is "designed to meet ABET standards" but does not actually hold ABET accreditation.
A common mistake is assuming that a university's overall accreditation automatically means the electrical engineering program is ABET-accredited. That is not always true, and the distinction can matter later if you pursue licensure or apply to employers that prefer ABET graduates.
What automation skills do electrical engineering programs teach?
Automation skills sit at the intersection of hardware, software, control theory, and systems thinking. A strong online electrical engineering program should help students understand not only how devices work individually, but also how sensors, motors, controllers, networks, and software interact in a real system.
Look for programs that build both theoretical and applied competencies. The following skill areas are especially relevant for automation careers:
- Control systems: modeling, feedback loops, stability, PID control, and system response.
- Programmable logic controllers: ladder logic, industrial input/output, sequencing, safety interlocks, and human-machine interfaces.
- Embedded systems: microcontrollers, firmware, real-time constraints, sensors, and actuator control.
- Robotics and motion control: motors, drives, kinematics basics, machine vision exposure, and automated equipment integration.
- Power and energy systems: power electronics, motor control, renewable integration, and grid-connected equipment.
- Industrial communication: fieldbus concepts, Ethernet-based industrial networks, cybersecurity basics, and data acquisition.
- Programming and simulation: MATLAB, Python, C or C++, circuit simulation, control modeling, and digital logic tools.
Current industry trends make these skills more valuable. Manufacturers are adopting smarter controls, utilities are modernizing grids, and employers increasingly expect engineers to understand data from connected equipment. AI is also changing automation work, but it does not replace engineering fundamentals; it raises the value of professionals who can validate models, interpret sensor data, and design safe physical systems.
How do online and campus electrical engineering degrees compare?
Online and campus electrical engineering degrees can lead to similar academic outcomes when the online program is rigorous, accredited, and well-supported. The biggest differences usually involve lab delivery, schedule flexibility, peer interaction, and access to physical equipment.
This table compares the practical trade-offs that matter most when deciding whether an online format fits your learning style and career plan.
| Factor | Online electrical engineering degree | Campus electrical engineering degree | Decision point |
| Flexibility | Often better for working adults and students with family responsibilities. | Usually follows fixed class and lab schedules. | Choose online if schedule control is essential. |
| Labs | May use mailed lab kits, remote instruments, simulations, or short campus residencies. | Typically uses campus labs and supervised equipment. | Ask exactly how circuits, controls, and capstone labs are completed. |
| Networking | Requires more intentional effort through virtual teams, faculty office hours, and professional groups. | More spontaneous access to classmates, clubs, labs, and faculty. | Choose campus if in-person collaboration is a major priority. |
| Employer perception | Strongest when the degree is accredited and issued by a recognized institution. | Often familiar to local employers and recruiters. | Focus on accreditation, projects, internships, and skills rather than format alone. |
| Cost | May reduce relocation and commuting costs but can include technology or lab fees. | May include housing, transportation, and campus-based fees. | Compare total cost of attendance, not only tuition. |
An online degree makes sense if you are self-directed, can protect study time, and have access to reliable technology. A campus degree may be better if you learn best through in-person labs, want a traditional college experience, or need local access to research labs and student engineering teams.
What courses are in an automation-focused electrical engineering curriculum?
An automation-focused electrical engineering curriculum usually begins with the same foundation as any engineering degree: calculus, physics, programming, circuits, electronics, and engineering design. Specialization grows later through controls, embedded systems, robotics, instrumentation, and power-related electives.
Students comparing technical degree paths should pay close attention to the math and lab intensity of the curriculum. It is very different from applied health or life-science pathways such as a nutritionist degree, where chemistry, biology, and human health are more central than circuits and control systems.
The table below shows common course areas and why each one matters for automation-focused roles.
| Course area | What students learn | Why it matters for automation |
| Circuit analysis | Voltage, current, resistance, transient response, and network behavior | Provides the foundation for troubleshooting and designing electrical systems. |
| Digital logic | Boolean logic, gates, finite state machines, and hardware-level computation | Supports embedded systems, controllers, and digital automation hardware. |
| Electronics | Diodes, transistors, amplifiers, operational amplifiers, and signal conditioning | Helps engineers interface sensors, actuators, and control devices. |
| Signals and systems | Time-domain and frequency-domain analysis | Supports control, communications, filtering, and sensor data interpretation. |
| Control systems | Feedback, stability, controllers, transfer functions, and system modeling | Core knowledge for robotics, motion control, process control, and autonomous systems. |
| Embedded systems | Microcontrollers, firmware, real-time programming, and hardware interfaces | Connects software decisions to physical devices. |
| Power systems and machines | Motors, generators, transformers, drives, and power distribution | Important for factories, utilities, electric vehicles, and automated equipment. |
| Capstone design | Team-based design, testing, documentation, and presentation | Shows whether students can integrate theory into a working system. |
When reviewing course catalogs, look for project-based evidence. Strong programs often require students to build, simulate, test, and document systems rather than only pass exams.
What admissions requirements do online electrical engineering programs have?
Admissions requirements depend on the degree level and school selectivity. Bachelor's programs usually expect a high school diploma or equivalent, transcripts, math readiness, and sometimes standardized test scores if the school still uses them. Transfer-friendly programs may also ask for prior college coursework in calculus, physics, chemistry, programming, or introductory engineering.
If you are still deciding between technical and information-focused careers, compare the academic expectations carefully. A degree in library science, for example, generally prepares students for information organization and library or archival work rather than calculus-based engineering design.
Engineering admissions can be less forgiving than many majors because the course sequence builds step by step. Review these requirements before you apply so you know whether you can enter directly or need prerequisites first:
- Math placement: calculus readiness is important because delays in math can extend the degree timeline.
- Science background: physics with lab is commonly expected early in the program.
- Transfer credit review: prior credits should be evaluated before enrollment, not after the first term begins.
- Technology requirements: students may need a computer capable of running simulation, programming, and design software.
- Minimum GPA rules: competitive programs may set higher GPA expectations for engineering transfer courses than for general admission.
- Lab availability: online students should confirm whether labs are remote, kit-based, local, or completed during campus visits.
A major red flag is an admissions process that does not evaluate math preparation. Students who begin without enough algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, or calculus readiness may spend extra time and money before reaching core engineering courses.
How long does an online electrical engineering degree take?
A full bachelor's degree in electrical engineering typically takes about four years for full-time first-time students, but online learners often vary more because many study part time while working. Transfer credits, math placement, co-op participation, lab scheduling, and course availability can all change the timeline.
Graduate programs are usually shorter, but they assume prior engineering preparation. Certificates may take only a few courses, yet they do not replace a bachelor's degree when an employer requires an engineering degree.
The table below summarizes common timelines so you can match the credential to your current education level and career goal.
| Path | Typical time commitment | Best for | Main timeline risk |
| Undergraduate certificate | Several months to one year | Adding PLC, controls, or electronics skills | Credits may not fully transfer into a degree. |
| Associate degree | About two years full time | Technician roles or transfer preparation | Not all courses may apply to an engineering bachelor's program. |
| Bachelor's degree | About four years full time; longer part time | Entry-level engineering roles | Prerequisite chains in calculus, physics, circuits, and labs. |
| Master's degree | About one to three years depending on pace | Specialization or advancement | May require bridge courses for non-EE backgrounds. |
To finish efficiently, map the prerequisite chain before enrolling. In electrical engineering, missing one course such as calculus, physics, or circuits can delay several later courses because many classes must be taken in order.
How much do online electrical engineering degrees cost?
Online electrical engineering costs vary by residency, institution type, transfer credit, lab requirements, and whether the school charges online-specific fees. College Board's 2024-25 published tuition and fee averages provide a useful national benchmark, although your actual cost may be lower or higher after grants, scholarships, employer tuition support, transfer credits, and fees.
- Public four-year in-state average published tuition and fees: $11,610 per year
- Public four-year out-of-state average published tuition and fees: $30,780 per year
- Private nonprofit four-year average published tuition and fees: $43,350 per year
Electrical engineering students should pay special attention to costs that general tuition pages may not make obvious. Online programs can still require lab kits, software, proctoring, travel for short residencies, or upgraded computers.
This table shows common cost factors and how they affect the real price of an online electrical engineering degree.
| Cost factor | Why it matters | What to check |
| Transfer credits | Accepted credits can reduce both tuition and time to completion. | Ask for a written transfer evaluation before committing. |
| Residency pricing | Some public universities charge different rates for in-state and out-of-state online students. | Confirm whether online students receive a separate tuition rate. |
| Lab fees and kits | Engineering courses may require physical components or remote lab access. | Ask for lab costs by course, not just program-level estimates. |
| Software and hardware | Simulation and design tools may require a capable computer. | Review minimum laptop specifications and software licensing. |
| Course sequencing | Repeating or delaying prerequisite courses can increase total cost. | Build a term-by-term plan with an engineering advisor. |
| Financial aid | Accredited degree programs may qualify for federal aid, but certificates vary. | Confirm aid eligibility for the exact credential. |
The best cost comparison is total cost to graduate, not cost per credit. A cheaper per-credit program can become more expensive if it accepts fewer transfer credits, offers required courses infrequently, or requires travel you did not budget for.
What jobs can you get with an electrical engineering degree?
An electrical engineering degree can prepare students for roles involving power, electronics, controls, automation, embedded systems, testing, utilities, transportation, manufacturing, aerospace, telecommunications, and energy. Automation-focused graduates often look for positions where electrical systems interact with software and physical equipment.
If your interests lean more toward ecosystems, conservation, or environmental compliance than circuits and controls, compare alternatives such as what jobs can you get with an environmental science degree before committing to an engineering curriculum.
The table below outlines common roles related to electrical engineering and automation. Job titles vary by employer, and some positions may require industry experience, security clearance, certifications, or graduate study.
| Role | Typical responsibilities | Automation connection |
| Electrical engineer | Designs, tests, and improves electrical equipment, circuits, and systems. | Works on power, controls, electronics, and system integration. |
| Controls engineer | Develops and maintains control logic, feedback systems, and industrial automation. | Central role in PLCs, robotics, process control, and manufacturing systems. |
| Automation engineer | Improves automated processes, integrates equipment, and troubleshoots production systems. | Combines controls, sensors, software, and equipment design. |
| Embedded systems engineer | Builds firmware and hardware interfaces for devices and machines. | Important for smart devices, robotics, vehicles, and industrial controllers. |
| Power systems engineer | Works on generation, distribution, protection, and grid-connected equipment. | Supports smart grids, renewable integration, and electrified infrastructure. |
| Test engineer | Creates test plans, validates performance, and analyzes failures. | Ensures automated products and systems work safely and reliably. |
| Field applications engineer | Supports customers using technical products, components, or systems. | Connects engineering knowledge with real-world implementation. |
To improve employability, build a portfolio around real systems. Useful projects include a motor control system, sensor-based data logger, microcontroller-controlled device, PLC simulation, robotics prototype, or power electronics design. Employers often want evidence that you can troubleshoot messy real-world problems, not just solve textbook equations.
What are electrical engineering salaries and job outlook?
Salary depends on role, region, industry, experience, degree level, and whether the job involves specialized areas such as controls, semiconductors, power systems, defense, or automation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a May 2024 median annual wage of $118,780 for electrical and electronics engineers. That figure is a midpoint, not a promise, but it shows why many students view the degree as a serious long-term investment.
The job outlook is also favorable. BLS projects 9% employment growth for electrical and electronics engineers from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average for all occupations. For students, this suggests that automation, electrification, connected devices, and infrastructure modernization are likely to keep demand active, though hiring will still vary by location and industry cycle.
Use the following factors to evaluate potential return on investment before choosing a program:
- Target role: controls, embedded systems, power, and electronics roles may value different electives and projects.
- Accreditation: ABET accreditation can matter for licensure-oriented and traditional engineering employers.
- Experience: internships, co-ops, technician experience, and capstone projects can strengthen early job applications.
- Location: engineering salaries and job availability often differ across manufacturing hubs, utility regions, defense markets, and technology corridors.
- Total education cost: compare expected debt against realistic entry-level opportunities, not only national median wages.
Avoid assuming that any electrical engineering degree automatically leads to a high-paying automation role. The strongest candidates usually align their coursework, projects, internships, and software skills with the job family they want.
Other Things You Should Know About Electrical Engineering
No. Electricians and electrical engineers work with electrical systems, but their training and responsibilities differ. Electrician training is usually trade-focused and licensure-based, while electrical engineering is calculus-based and focused on design, analysis, testing, and system development.
Yes, but it requires careful scheduling. Electrical engineering courses are demanding, especially calculus, physics, circuits, and labs. Working students should consider part-time enrollment and ask whether required courses are offered every term.
They can be useful if they teach tools employers recognize, such as PLCs, industrial networking, robotics, or specific software platforms. A certificate is most valuable when it complements an accredited degree, hands-on projects, or relevant work experience.
Requirements vary by school, but students often need a reliable laptop or desktop that can run engineering software, simulations, programming tools, and virtual labs. Before buying equipment, check the program's official hardware specifications.
References
- Essential Skills You Learn in an Electrical Engineering Course – Discover Training https://discovertraining.net/essential-skills-you-learn-in-an-electrical-engineering-course/
- Online Electrical Engineering Degrees https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/degrees/engineering-programs/electrical-engineering/
- Best Online Electrical Engineering Degrees 2025 https://www.onlineu.com/degrees/electrical-engineering
- Top 10 Most Demanding Skills for Electrical Engineers [2025] https://smvec.ac.in/most-demanding-skills-for-electrical-engineers/
- Electrical Engineering Job Market: 2026 Outlook & Pay https://pathwise.io/electrical-engineering-job-market/
- Electrical Engineering https://www.ete.hs-mannheim.de/electricalengineering-automation/description.html
- Electrical Engineering and Its Automation https://see-en.tongji.edu.cn/info/1030/1299.htm
- 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/
- Undergraduate MajorElectrical Engineering and Automation-CUGB https://en.cugb.edu.cn/SIE/40980.jhtml
