2026 Online Electrical Engineering Degrees That Prepare Students for Control Systems and Automation Roles
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Choosing an online electrical engineering degree is harder when your goal is control systems or automation, because the program must prove it can teach math-heavy theory and hands-on systems work remotely. The timing is strong: the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects electrical and electronics engineering employment to grow 9% from 2024 to 2034, faster than average.
This guide is for students, working technicians, and career changers who want to compare accredited programs, labs, costs, timelines, and job outcomes before investing.
Key Things You Should Know
- For U.S. licensure and employer credibility, prioritize institutional accreditation and, for bachelor's programs, ABET accreditation when available; many PE pathways depend on accredited engineering education plus state-specific experience and exams.
- Online engineering can work for automation careers when it includes controls, signals, power, embedded systems, PLCs, robotics, simulation, and verified lab work rather than lecture-only coursework.
- Cost varies widely: College Board's 2024 pricing data put 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 students before aid.
What is an online electrical engineering degree focused on control systems and automation?
An online electrical engineering degree focused on control systems and automation is a bachelor's or master's program that teaches students how to design, model, measure, and improve systems that behave automatically. In practical terms, that can mean programming a production line, tuning a motor controller, building feedback loops for a robot, integrating sensors into a factory process, or using simulation tools to predict how a system will respond before it is installed.
The degree is still grounded in core electrical engineering. Students usually study circuits, electronics, signals, electromagnetics, digital systems, engineering math, and programming before moving into control theory, instrumentation, industrial networks, embedded systems, mechatronics, and automation design. A program is stronger for control and automation roles when it connects theory to applied tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, PLC platforms, data acquisition systems, microcontrollers, robotics kits, or remote lab equipment.
Students comparing options can use an online electrical engineering degree ranking as a starting point, but ranking position should not replace checking accreditation, lab requirements, transfer policies, course availability, and whether the curriculum actually supports automation-related goals.
This path is a good fit for learners who want technical roles in manufacturing, energy, aerospace, automotive systems, utilities, semiconductor production, building automation, robotics, or industrial technology. It may not be the best fit for students who dislike calculus, physics, troubleshooting, programming, or iterative design work. For those students, a more applied engineering technology program, computer science program, industrial technology degree, or shorter automation certificate may be a better match.
How do online electrical engineering programs prepare students for control systems careers?
Good online electrical engineering programs prepare students through a sequence: engineering fundamentals first, then modeling and analysis, then applied controls and automation projects. The goal is not just to understand equations, but to make systems stable, measurable, reliable, and safe in real operating conditions.
Students should look for preparation in several areas because control systems roles sit between electrical design, software, mechanical behavior, and operations. A strong program usually develops the following capabilities:
- System modeling: Converting a physical process, motor, thermal system, robot arm, or manufacturing cell into mathematical and simulation models.
- Feedback control: Designing controllers that keep output close to a target value despite noise, delays, disturbances, or equipment variation.
- Signals and data: Reading sensor data, filtering noise, sampling correctly, and interpreting system response.
- Embedded and industrial programming: using microcontrollers, PLC logic, scripting, and structured programming to automate real tasks.
- Hardware integration: Connecting sensors, actuators, drives, motors, controllers, communication modules, and safety devices.
- Engineering documentation: Writing test plans, wiring diagrams, control narratives, validation reports, and change records that employers can rely on.
Online programs often use simulations for early learning and then require students to complete hardware-based labs at home, on campus during short residencies, or through remote-access equipment. This matters because automation employers usually expect graduates to troubleshoot both the model and the machine. A student who has only watched demonstrations may be less prepared than one who has collected data, diagnosed wiring or sensor problems, and revised a controller based on test results.
Career preparation also depends on projects. Capstones involving conveyor control, mobile robotics, motor speed control, power electronics, smart-grid monitoring, process control, or digital twins can help students build a portfolio. When possible, students should save code samples, diagrams, reports, and short project explanations that show what problem they solved and how they validated the result.
Are online electrical engineering degrees for automation roles properly accredited in the U.S.?
Some are, but students must verify accreditation instead of assuming that "online" and "engineering" automatically mean the program meets professional standards. In the U.S., two accreditation layers matter most: institutional accreditation for the school and programmatic accreditation for the engineering program.
Institutional accreditation is important for federal financial aid eligibility, transfer credit, graduate school recognition, and general academic legitimacy. Programmatic accreditation, especially ABET accreditation for engineering bachelor's programs, is often important for engineering employers and may be required or strongly preferred for Professional Engineer licensure pathways in many states. Master's programs are less commonly ABET-accredited because ABET primarily accredits undergraduate engineering programs, though some graduate-level programs may still carry relevant recognition depending on structure and institution.
The distinction below helps students understand what each form of accreditation does and what it does not prove.
| Accreditation or approval type | What it tells you | Why it matters for automation students |
| Institutional accreditation | The college or university meets broad academic and administrative standards. | It supports aid eligibility, credit transfer, employer recognition, and graduate study options. |
| ABET engineering accreditation | The specific engineering program meets discipline-based engineering education standards. | It is often valuable for entry-level engineering credibility and can affect PE licensure eligibility. |
| State authorization | The school is allowed to deliver online education to students in particular states. | It can affect whether a student may enroll from their location and access required services. |
| Industry certifications or training partnerships | The program may use vendor tools or prepare students for optional credentials. | It can improve practical exposure, but it is not a substitute for academic accreditation. |
Students considering PE licensure should check their state engineering board before enrolling. Requirements can vary by state, and some boards treat online degrees, engineering technology degrees, non-ABET degrees, international credentials, and graduate degrees differently. The safest approach is to confirm the exact program name, degree level, delivery format, and ABET status directly with the school and the state board.
What courses in these programs cover control systems, PLCs, robotics, and industrial automation?
Course names vary by school, but the strongest programs build from electrical engineering fundamentals into applied automation topics. Students should not judge the curriculum by one course title alone; they should look at prerequisites, lab requirements, software tools, and whether projects use real or remotely accessed hardware.
The table below summarizes common course areas and how each supports control systems or automation work.
| Course area | What students typically learn | How it connects to automation roles |
| Linear systems and signals | System response, transforms, frequency analysis, sampling, and filtering. | Helps engineers interpret sensor data and design stable feedback systems. |
| Feedback control systems | Stability, PID control, root locus, frequency response, state-space models, and controller tuning. | Directly supports process control, motion control, robotics, and equipment regulation. |
| Programmable logic controllers | Ladder logic, function blocks, sequencing, interlocks, input/output mapping, and fault handling. | Applies to manufacturing lines, packaging systems, utilities, and industrial equipment. |
| Embedded systems | Microcontrollers, real-time constraints, sensors, communication protocols, and firmware. | Supports smart devices, robotics, instrumentation, and machine control. |
| Power electronics and motor drives | Converters, inverters, motor control, switching devices, and drive protection. | Important for automation systems that rely on motors, pumps, actuators, and conveyors. |
| Robotics and mechatronics | Kinematics, actuators, sensors, motion planning, and electromechanical integration. | Prepares students for roles involving robotic cells, autonomous systems, and automated inspection. |
| Industrial networks and instrumentation | Measurement devices, data acquisition, fieldbus concepts, human-machine interfaces, and industrial communication. | Helps graduates connect controllers, sensors, machines, and monitoring systems safely. |
Students aiming for controls roles should also value courses in probability, statistics, safety, engineering economics, and technical communication. Automation projects are rarely just technical puzzles; they also involve uptime, cost, compliance, maintainability, and clear documentation for operators and other engineers.
How do online electrical engineering degrees compare with campus programs for lab and hands-on training?
Online programs can be effective, but the lab model matters. Electrical engineering is not a lecture-only field, and control systems work requires measurement, debugging, and iteration. The best online programs are transparent about how students complete labs, what equipment they use, how work is verified, and whether any campus visits are required.
The comparison below shows common delivery models and the trade-offs students should consider before enrolling.
| Format | Strengths | Limitations to check | Best fit |
| Fully online with simulation labs | Flexible and accessible; useful for modeling, controls theory, and early design work. | May be weak if it lacks physical measurement, wiring, instrumentation, or troubleshooting. | Students who already have workplace lab access or need maximum flexibility. |
| Online with mailed lab kits | Lets students build circuits, program devices, collect data, and troubleshoot at home. | Hardware may be limited compared with campus labs, and students need space and discipline. | Students who want hands-on practice without relocating. |
| Online with remote-access labs | Allows students to control real equipment through an online interface. | Scheduling, system availability, and limited tactile experience can be drawbacks. | Students who need exposure to specialized equipment not practical at home. |
| Hybrid with short residencies | Combines online flexibility with concentrated campus lab sessions. | Travel, lodging, and time off work can increase total cost. | Students seeking stronger lab credibility while keeping most coursework online. |
| Traditional campus program | Offers direct access to labs, faculty, student teams, and equipment. | Less flexible for working adults and students who cannot relocate. | Students who want immersive lab work, research access, and in-person engineering networks. |
For automation-focused students, a hybrid or kit-based online program is often stronger than a program that relies only on simulations. Simulation is valuable because it lets students test models safely, but employers also care whether a graduate can recognize real-world problems such as loose connections, sensor drift, timing issues, noise, overheating, grounding problems, and unexpected operator behavior.
Before enrolling, ask the school to show sample lab assignments, equipment lists, residency schedules, and capstone examples. If the program cannot clearly explain how students complete hands-on work, that is a red flag.
What admission requirements apply to online electrical engineering programs in control and automation?
Admission requirements depend on degree level and selectivity, but online electrical engineering programs usually expect stronger math and science preparation than many other online majors. Applicants comparing different STEM pathways, such as an online bachelors in animal science, should note that electrical engineering typically requires a deeper sequence in calculus, physics, circuits, and programming.
For bachelor's programs, first-year applicants commonly need a high school diploma or equivalent, transcripts, algebra and precalculus readiness, and sometimes standardized test scores depending on the institution's policy. Transfer applicants may need prior college coursework in calculus, physics, chemistry, programming, or introductory engineering. Some programs admit students directly to the engineering major, while others require students to complete prerequisite courses with minimum grades before entering upper-division engineering coursework.
Master's programs usually require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related engineering field. Applicants from physics, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering technology, or computer science backgrounds may be admitted with prerequisites if they lack circuits, signals, control theory, or advanced math. GRE requirements vary and have become less universal, so students should check each school's current policy.
Students can reduce delays by preparing these items before applying:
- Official transcripts from every college attended, including community college and dual-enrollment credits.
- Course descriptions or syllabi for transfer evaluation, especially for calculus, physics, circuits, programming, and engineering labs.
- A current resume if applying as a working technician, military student, or engineering technologist.
- A statement of purpose that names specific interests such as control systems, automation, robotics, embedded systems, or power electronics.
- Documentation of prerequisites, licenses, military training, or employer-sponsored technical coursework if the school evaluates prior learning.
A common mistake is applying only to the fastest or cheapest option without confirming whether transfer credits will count toward engineering requirements. A program that accepts many general credits but few technical credits may still take longer than expected.
How long do online electrical engineering degrees take and what do they typically cost?
A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering typically requires about 120 to 130 credits. Full-time first-year students often need four years, while part-time online students may need five to six years depending on course load, prerequisites, and whether labs or senior design courses are offered every term. Transfer students with an associate degree in engineering, math, physics, or electronics may finish faster, but only if their credits match the engineering curriculum.
Master's programs commonly require about 30 credits and may take one to two years full time or two to three years part time. Students who work full time should be realistic: control systems, digital signal processing, power electronics, and robotics courses can be mathematically demanding and may not pair well with heavy work travel or rotating shifts.
Published tuition varies by institution type and residency. College Board's 2024 Trends in College Pricing reported these average published tuition and fee levels for four-year institutions before grants, scholarships, and other aid:
- $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.
Those figures are not online-engineering-specific prices, but they help students understand the broader U.S. tuition environment. Engineering programs can add technology, lab, software, proctoring, residency, or equipment costs. Conversely, online students may save on relocation, commuting, parking, or lost income if they can keep working.
The table below highlights cost drivers that are easy to miss when comparing online programs.
| Cost factor | Why it matters | What to ask before enrolling |
| Residency status | Some public universities charge different online rates for in-state and out-of-state students. | Is there a separate online tuition rate, and does residency affect it? |
| Lab kits and equipment | Automation courses may require electronics kits, microcontrollers, meters, software, or shipping fees. | Which equipment is required, and is it included in tuition? |
| Software access | Engineering tools can be expensive without student licenses. | Does the program provide access to simulation, CAD, PLC, or data analysis software? |
| Travel for residencies | Short campus labs can add airfare, lodging, meals, and time away from work. | How many visits are required, when are they scheduled, and what do they cost? |
| Transfer credit limits | Credits that do not apply to the major can increase time and total tuition. | How many technical credits will apply directly to degree requirements? |
To evaluate affordability, compare net price rather than sticker price. Ask about grants, employer tuition assistance, military benefits, scholarships, payment plans, and whether taking summer courses can shorten the timeline without overloading your schedule.
What control systems and automation jobs can graduates of these online programs pursue?
Graduates may qualify for different roles depending on degree level, accreditation, projects, internships, prior experience, and industry. A bachelor's degree can support entry-level engineering roles, while a master's degree may help working engineers move toward advanced controls, robotics, power systems, embedded systems, or technical leadership.
Automation also appears in environmental monitoring, water systems, renewable energy, and industrial sustainability. Students who are more interested in ecology, environmental policy, or field science than control hardware may want to compare this path with guidance on what can I do with an environmental science degree before committing to an engineering-heavy curriculum.
The table below outlines common roles and what they typically involve.
| Role | Typical responsibilities | Helpful preparation |
| Control systems engineer | Designs, tunes, tests, and documents feedback control systems for equipment or processes. | Control theory, signals, modeling, MATLAB/Simulink, instrumentation, and safety concepts. |
| Automation engineer | Improves manufacturing or operational systems using controllers, sensors, actuators, and software. | PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, robotics, troubleshooting, and process knowledge. |
| PLC programmer | Writes and maintains control logic for industrial machines and production lines. | Ladder logic, function block diagrams, electrical schematics, I/O mapping, and commissioning. |
| Robotics engineer | Develops or integrates robotic systems for manufacturing, inspection, logistics, or research. | Mechatronics, motion control, programming, sensors, machine vision, and mechanical fundamentals. |
| Embedded systems engineer | Builds firmware and hardware interfaces for devices that sense, compute, and control. | Microcontrollers, C or C++, real-time systems, circuits, sensors, and communication protocols. |
| Instrumentation and controls engineer | Selects, calibrates, and integrates measurement and control equipment in plants or facilities. | Process control, sensors, calibration, data acquisition, documentation, and standards awareness. |
| Applications or field controls engineer | Supports customers, installs systems, commissions equipment, and solves technical problems on site. | Communication skills, troubleshooting, travel readiness, electrical safety, and vendor tools. |
Students without prior technical experience should look for internships, co-ops, undergraduate research, technician work, or project-based courses. Working technicians can use the degree to move from maintenance or installation into design, commissioning, systems integration, or engineering analysis, but they should confirm that the program leads to an engineering degree rather than only an engineering technology credential if their target employers require it.
What salary ranges and job outlook can control systems and automation engineers expect?
Salary outcomes vary by role, region, industry, degree level, experience, security clearance, travel demands, and whether the job is classified as engineering, engineering technology, industrial engineering, software, or maintenance leadership. Students should treat salary data as a planning benchmark, not a promise.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 2024 median annual wage of $111,910 for electrical engineers. That is a useful reference point because many control systems and automation roles are built on electrical engineering skills, but actual compensation may differ in manufacturing, utilities, aerospace, energy, consulting, or systems integration.
The table below gives a practical view of related U.S. occupations and how they connect to automation work.
| Occupation category | How it relates to control and automation | Salary and outlook context |
| Electrical engineers | Design circuits, controls, power systems, instrumentation, and electrical components used in automated systems. | BLS reported a 2024 median annual wage of $111,910 for electrical engineers. |
| Electrical and electronics engineers | Broader category that includes engineers working in electronics, communications, control equipment, and related systems. | BLS projects 9% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 for electrical and electronics engineers. |
| Industrial engineers | Improve processes, productivity, quality, and systems efficiency, often alongside automation teams. | Automation knowledge can strengthen roles focused on production systems and process improvement. |
| Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians | Support automated equipment, robotics, testing, and maintenance in labs or industrial settings. | These roles may be more accessible with associate-level or engineering technology preparation. |
Demand is influenced by reshoring efforts, factory modernization, robotics adoption, grid upgrades, electrification, semiconductor manufacturing, and the need to collect better operational data. AI is also changing automation work: engineers increasingly use predictive maintenance tools, machine vision, anomaly detection, simulation, and digital twins. However, AI does not eliminate the need for engineers who understand sensors, physics, safety, controls, and real equipment behavior.
For ROI, compare expected debt with realistic entry-level pathways in your target region. A student entering with technician experience and employer support may see a different payoff than a first-time student borrowing heavily for an expensive program without internships or local industry connections.
How can students evaluate and choose a reputable online electrical engineering program for automation?
The best program is the one that matches your career goal, budget, schedule, location, and licensure needs. Use the same value lens you would apply to any career-focused degree decision, from engineering to questions such as is a library science degree worth it: verify the credential, understand the labor market, compare total cost, and make sure the curriculum leads to the work you actually want.
Start by narrowing programs around nonnegotiables. For many automation-focused students, those include accreditation, controls coursework, lab delivery, transfer credit, and senior design or capstone quality. Then compare flexibility and cost only after the program clears those academic and career-fit screens.
A practical evaluation process looks like this:
- Confirm institutional accreditation through recognized accreditor information and verify whether the specific engineering program is ABET-accredited if that matters for your goals.
- Map the curriculum against your target role, checking for control systems, signals, embedded systems, PLCs, robotics, power electronics, instrumentation, and technical electives.
- Ask how labs work, including kits, remote labs, simulations, campus residencies, safety procedures, and how instructors verify student work.
- Review capstone examples and ask whether students complete automation, robotics, controls, power, or embedded systems projects.
- Request a transfer credit evaluation before enrolling, especially if you have community college, military, technician, or prior engineering coursework.
- Compare total cost, including tuition, fees, lab equipment, software, travel, books, proctoring, and time away from work.
- Ask about career support, employer connections, internship access, alumni outcomes, student engineering organizations, and faculty experience in automation-related fields.
- Check course rotation and prerequisites so you know whether a missed course could delay graduation by a semester or more.
Watch for red flags. Be cautious if a school is vague about accreditation, cannot explain lab requirements, promises unrealistic salaries, advertises an engineering degree that is actually engineering technology without clarifying the difference, or pressures you to enroll before providing a written cost and transfer-credit estimate.
Students should also compare alternatives. A full electrical engineering degree makes sense when you want design authority, long-term engineering growth, graduate school options, or possible PE licensure. A certificate, associate degree, vendor credential, or engineering technology program may make more sense if your goal is PLC maintenance, technician advancement, fast reskilling, or a narrower automation support role.
Other Things You Should Know About Electrical Engineering
You do not need to enter as an expert programmer, but you should be willing to learn. Electrical engineering students often use programming for simulations, embedded systems, data analysis, controls, robotics, and test automation.
Neither is universally harder, but electrical engineering usually includes more physics, circuits, signals, and hardware labs. Computer science typically goes deeper into algorithms, software systems, and computing theory. The better choice depends on whether you prefer physical systems or software-centered work.
Yes, but transfer planning is critical. Choose calculus-based physics, calculus, chemistry, programming, and engineering courses that are designed to transfer into an engineering bachelor's program, not only general technical electives.
Successful students are usually persistent, detail-oriented, comfortable with math, and willing to troubleshoot problems that do not work the first time. Curiosity, patience, documentation habits, and the ability to ask precise questions are especially valuable.
References
- Control systems: jobs for HAN master graduates. https://www.hanuniversity.com/en/programs/master/engineering-systems-cyber-physical-systems/parttime/careers/
- controls engineer https://www.randstadusa.com/job-seeker/career-advice/job-profiles/controls-engineer/
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering - Automation and Control Systems Engineering (B.Sc. EE-ACSE) https://www.udst.edu.qa/academic/our-colleges/college-engineering-and-technology/bachelor-science-electrical-0
- Is Controls Engineering a Good Career? Salary, Demand, and Real Talk https://www.apollotechnical.com/is-controls-engineering-a-good-career/
- Top 5 In-Demand Jobs in Industrial Automation for 2025 - RealPars https://www.realpars.com/blog/automation-engineering-careers
- Pay scale for starting controls/automation engineers | Automation & Control Engineering Forum https://control.com/forums/threads/pay-scale-for-starting-controls-automation-engineers.28673/
- Control Systems Recruitment: The Ultimate Guide https://automationexperts.co.uk/control-systems-recruitment/
- 6 Best Online Electrical Engineering Degree Programs for Future Engineers https://www.myprivatetutor.com/blog/best-online-electrical-engineering-degree-programs
- Electrical Engineering Technology: Automation and Controls https://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/programs/career/electrical-eng
- From Student to Professional: How to Establish a Career as an Electrical https://study-in-hungary.com/blog/from-student-to-professional-how-to-establish-a-career-as-an-electrical-engineer/
