2026 Online Electrical Engineering Degrees With Control Systems Coursework
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Choosing an online electrical engineering degree is harder when your career goal involves automation, robotics, power systems, or industrial controls. The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9% employment growth for electrical and electronics engineers from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, which makes program quality and specialization especially important.
This guide is for students comparing online electrical engineering programs with control systems coursework. You will learn how programs work, what to check before enrolling, what they cost, and how the degree can connect to control-focused engineering roles.
Key Things You Should Know
- ABET accreditation is the most important quality signal for online electrical engineering bachelor's programs, especially if you may later pursue Professional Engineer licensure or work in regulated industries.
- Control systems coursework usually covers feedback control, dynamic systems, signals, embedded systems, instrumentation, automation, and sometimes PLCs, robotics, or power system control.
- BLS data lists $118,780 as the 2024 median annual pay for electrical and electronics engineers, but control systems pay varies by industry, location, degree level, software skills, and licensure expectations.
What are online electrical engineering degrees with control systems coursework?
Online electrical engineering degrees with control systems coursework are electrical engineering programs delivered partly or fully online that include classes on how machines, circuits, power networks, robots, or industrial processes are monitored and regulated. "Control systems" refers to the engineering methods used to make a system behave predictably, such as keeping a motor at the right speed, stabilizing a drone, regulating voltage on a grid, or automating a manufacturing line.
Most options fall into one of three categories: bachelor's degrees for entry-level engineering preparation, master's degrees for specialization or advancement, and certificates for engineers who already hold a related degree. Veterans comparing flexible engineering options may also want to review online electrical engineering degrees for veterans, especially if military training, transfer credit, or GI Bill use will affect the final cost.
The table below shows how different academic paths usually fit different goals. Use it to decide whether you need a full degree or a narrower credential.
| Program type | Best fit | Typical control systems focus | Decision note |
| Bachelor's in electrical engineering | Students seeking entry-level engineering roles | Introductory and intermediate control theory, circuits, electronics, signals, labs, and design projects | Best foundation if you do not already have an engineering degree |
| Master's in electrical engineering | Working engineers who want advanced technical depth | Modern control, digital control, optimization, robotics, power electronics, or autonomous systems | Best for advancement, specialization, or research-oriented roles |
| Graduate certificate | Engineers needing targeted upskilling | Selected courses in automation, embedded control, systems modeling, or industrial controls | Useful when you already meet degree requirements for your target jobs |
| Engineering technology degree | Students interested in applied technical work | PLCs, instrumentation, testing, troubleshooting, and implementation | Can be valuable, but it is not always equivalent to an engineering degree for licensure or engineering titles |
A strong online program should still teach the engineering fundamentals: calculus, differential equations, physics, circuits, electronics, signals, programming, and design. Control systems coursework builds on those foundations, so students who want a shortcut should be cautious; weak math preparation can make the control sequence difficult even in a flexible online format.
How do online and campus electrical engineering programs compare?
Online and campus electrical engineering programs can lead to similar academic outcomes when they have the same curriculum, faculty oversight, lab expectations, and accreditation. The main difference is delivery: online students often complete lectures asynchronously, attend live problem-solving sessions, use mailed lab kits or remote labs, and travel only if a program requires short residencies.
Online STEM learning has become more common, but engineering still requires hands-on work. Students comparing formats in technical fields may find it useful to look at how flexible STEM programs are structured in a computer science degree online, then apply stricter lab and accreditation checks when evaluating electrical engineering.
The comparison below highlights the practical trade-offs that matter most for electrical engineering students, especially those pursuing control systems.
| Factor | Online electrical engineering | Campus electrical engineering | Best choice when |
| Schedule | Often better for working adults and military students | Usually more fixed around class and lab times | Choose online if you need flexibility and can manage independent study |
| Labs | May use home kits, simulation tools, remote instruments, or short campus sessions | Direct access to lab equipment and in-person support | Choose campus if you learn best through frequent in-person lab work |
| Peer interaction | Depends on live sessions, project teams, discussion boards, and advising | More spontaneous interaction with classmates and faculty | Choose online only if the program has structured collaboration |
| Internships | Student may need to be more proactive locally | Campus career fairs may be easier to access | Choose online if the school still supports employer connections |
| Control systems preparation | Can be strong if labs and design projects are rigorous | Often easier to access physical control hardware | Choose based on course depth, not delivery format alone |
The biggest mistake is assuming "online" automatically means easier. ABET-aligned electrical engineering coursework is math-heavy in any format, and control theory is conceptually demanding because it combines modeling, signals, programming, and physical systems. A better question is whether the online program gives you enough academic support, lab access, tutoring, and faculty interaction to complete that work successfully.
Which accreditations should an online electrical engineering program have?
The most important accreditation question is whether the institution is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and whether the engineering program itself has ABET accreditation. Institutional accreditation affects federal financial aid eligibility and credit transfer. Programmatic accreditation is especially important in engineering because employers, graduate schools, and licensing boards may use it as evidence that the curriculum meets professional standards.
For electrical engineering, ABET accreditation through the Engineering Accreditation Commission is the standard to look for in bachelor's programs. Some engineering technology programs are accredited under a different ABET commission, which can still be legitimate but may lead to different licensure or job-title implications depending on the state and employer.
Before applying, verify accreditation directly rather than relying only on marketing language. These checks can prevent expensive mistakes:
- Confirm the institution's accreditation status through the U.S. Department of Education's recognized accreditor listings or the school's official accreditation page.
- Search the ABET database for the exact program name, degree level, campus or online designation, and accreditation dates.
- Ask whether the online version is covered under the same ABET-accredited program as the campus version.
- Check whether the program is electrical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, or engineering technology, because those titles can lead to different outcomes.
- Contact your state engineering board if Professional Engineer licensure is a possible long-term goal.
A red flag is a school that says it is "aligned with ABET standards" but does not appear in ABET's accredited program list. Alignment is not the same as accreditation. Another warning sign is a control systems concentration with few actual control, instrumentation, or embedded systems courses.
What control systems courses are included in electrical engineering degrees?
Control systems coursework teaches students how to model a system, measure its behavior, compare that behavior with a desired output, and design a controller that corrects errors. In electrical engineering, those skills connect to motors, power converters, robotics, aerospace systems, manufacturing equipment, building automation, and grid operations.
Course names vary by school, but the table below summarizes common classes and what they are meant to prepare you to do.
| Course area | What students learn | Why it matters for control systems |
| Signals and systems | Continuous-time and discrete-time system behavior, transforms, filtering, and frequency response | Provides the language used to analyze feedback and stability |
| Feedback control systems | System modeling, stability, root locus, Bode plots, PID control, and controller design | Core course for control engineering and automation work |
| Digital control | Sampled-data systems, z-transforms, digital controllers, and implementation issues | Important because many real controllers run on processors or embedded devices |
| Instrumentation and measurements | Sensors, signal conditioning, data acquisition, uncertainty, and calibration | Control decisions depend on accurate measurement |
| Embedded systems | Microcontrollers, real-time constraints, hardware interfaces, and firmware | Useful for products, robotics, automotive systems, and industrial devices |
| Power systems or power electronics control | Converters, inverters, motor drives, grid regulation, and protection concepts | Relevant to renewable energy, EVs, utilities, and industrial power |
| Robotics or mechatronics | Actuators, kinematics, motion control, sensors, and integrated electromechanical design | Applies control theory to physical machines |
Students should also look for software exposure. MATLAB, Simulink, Python, LabVIEW, SPICE tools, PLC environments, and version control may appear in different courses. Employers rarely hire based on one tool alone, but practical software fluency helps students turn control theory into working designs.
A strong course sequence usually ends with a design project. For example, students might tune a motor controller, build a temperature-control system, simulate a power converter, or integrate sensors and actuators into an embedded control project. If a program's control coursework is entirely lecture-based with no lab, simulation, or design component, ask how students demonstrate applied competence.
What admission requirements do online electrical engineering programs have?
Admission requirements depend on degree level. Bachelor's programs usually focus on high school preparation, transfer credits, and math placement. Master's programs usually require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field, though some schools admit students from physics, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, or engineering technology if they complete prerequisite courses.
The admissions checklist below can help you prepare before requesting transcripts or paying application fees:
- For bachelor's programs, expect proof of high school completion or prior college credit, with strong preparation in algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, physics, and chemistry.
- For transfer students, ask how circuit analysis, calculus, physics, programming, and general education credits will apply to the degree plan.
- For master's programs, expect transcripts, a minimum GPA requirement, prerequisite engineering coursework, a resume, statement of purpose, and sometimes recommendation letters.
- For international or multilingual applicants, schools may require English proficiency documentation and transcript evaluation.
- For online students, some programs require access to a suitable computer, webcam, proctoring software, lab kits, or specific engineering software.
The most common mistake is underestimating prerequisites. Control systems depends heavily on calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, signals, and circuit analysis. If you have been away from school for several years, a refresher in calculus and programming can make the first year much more manageable.
Admissions selectivity is not the only quality signal. A program with supportive advising, transparent transfer evaluation, tutoring, and clear lab expectations may be a better fit than a more selective program that leaves online students to navigate requirements alone.
How long does an online electrical engineering degree take to finish?
An online electrical engineering bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study for first-time students. Transfer students may finish faster if prior credits apply cleanly, while part-time students often need longer because engineering courses follow strict prerequisites. A master's degree commonly takes one to three years depending on whether the student enrolls full time or part time.
The table below gives a realistic planning view. Actual timelines depend on transfer credit, course availability, math placement, and whether the program allows summer enrollment.
| Student situation | Common timeline | Main factor that affects completion |
| First-time bachelor's student | About 4 years full time | Sequential math, physics, circuits, and lab requirements |
| Community college transfer student | About 2 to 3 years after transfer | How many engineering prerequisites transfer into the major |
| Working adult bachelor's student | Often 5 or more years part time | Course load limits and availability of required labs |
| Master's student with EE background | About 1 to 2 years full time or 2 to 3 years part time | Thesis, project, or coursework-only format |
| Graduate certificate student | Often less than 1 year to 18 months | Number of courses and whether prerequisites are needed |
Acceleration has trade-offs. Taking circuits, signals, controls, and advanced math too quickly can raise the risk of withdrawal or repeating courses. If you work full time, a steady part-time plan may produce a better outcome than an overloaded schedule that looks faster on paper.
Before enrolling, ask the school for a term-by-term plan showing when each required control systems course is offered. Some online programs do not offer every advanced elective every term, which can delay graduation if you miss a course window.
How much do online electrical engineering degrees cost?
Cost varies widely because online electrical engineering programs may charge by credit, semester, residency status, lab fees, technology fees, software costs, and proctoring fees. Public universities are often less expensive for in-state students, but some online programs charge a separate online tuition rate that may be the same for residents and nonresidents.
College Board's 2024 pricing data provides a useful national benchmark for published tuition and fees at four-year institutions. These figures are not specific to online electrical engineering, but they help you judge whether a quoted program price is low, typical, or unusually high:
- Public four-year in-state tuition and fees: $11,610
- Public four-year out-of-state tuition and fees: $30,780
- Private nonprofit four-year tuition and fees: $43,350
Engineering can cost more than the base tuition figure because students may need lab kits, multimeters, components, textbooks, software licenses, and travel for any required campus labs. If you are comparing costs across STEM fields, reviewing computer science cost examples can help you see how tuition, transfer credits, and fees change the total price, but electrical engineering often has more lab-related expenses.
Use the cost categories below to request a full estimate from each school. This is where many students find hidden differences between programs with similar tuition rates.
| Cost factor | Why it matters | Question to ask |
| Tuition structure | Per-credit, flat-rate, resident, nonresident, and online rates can produce very different totals | What is the total tuition for the full degree plan based on my transfer credits? |
| Engineering fees | Some programs add lab, technology, or course-specific fees | Which required EE courses have additional fees? |
| Lab equipment | Online students may buy kits, tools, or components | Are lab kits included in tuition or billed separately? |
| Software | Control systems courses may use simulation and analysis tools | Does the school provide licenses for required software? |
| Travel | Some online programs require campus intensives or proctored labs | Are any in-person sessions required, and how often? |
| Transfer credit | Accepted credits can reduce both cost and time | Can I receive a written transfer evaluation before committing? |
To reduce cost, start with a transfer audit, compare total program cost rather than per-credit tuition, apply for federal aid only through eligible institutions, and ask about employer tuition assistance. Avoid choosing the cheapest program if it lacks ABET accreditation, required labs, or the control systems courses needed for your goal.
What jobs can you get with a control systems electrical engineering degree?
A control systems electrical engineering degree can prepare students for roles that involve designing, modeling, testing, integrating, or maintaining systems that respond automatically to changing conditions. These roles appear in manufacturing, utilities, aerospace, defense, automotive, robotics, semiconductors, building automation, renewable energy, and industrial equipment.
The rise of automation, sensor networks, electrification, and AI-assisted engineering tools is changing the skill mix. Engineers still need fundamentals, but employers increasingly value people who can combine control theory with data, software, embedded systems, and domain knowledge. Engineers who later move into advanced analytics or research-heavy automation may even compare graduate options such as an online PhD in data science, though most control systems engineering roles do not require a doctorate.
The table below connects common job titles with the kind of work they usually involve. Titles vary by employer, so read job descriptions closely rather than relying only on the title.
| Job title | Typical responsibilities | Helpful coursework or skills |
| Control systems engineer | Designs and tunes feedback systems, analyzes stability, validates performance, and supports implementation | Feedback control, signals, modeling, MATLAB or Python, instrumentation |
| Automation engineer | Develops automated production, testing, or process-control systems | PLCs, sensors, industrial networks, robotics, safety standards |
| Electrical design engineer | Designs electrical circuits, control panels, embedded interfaces, or power electronics | Circuits, electronics, CAD tools, embedded systems, power electronics |
| Power systems controls engineer | Works on grid regulation, protection, converters, drives, or renewable integration | Power systems, power electronics, digital control, protection systems |
| Embedded controls engineer | Implements control algorithms on microcontrollers or embedded platforms | C or C++, real-time systems, sensors, firmware, digital control |
| Test and validation engineer | Builds test plans, analyzes data, verifies performance, and troubleshoots failures | Measurements, statistics, lab tools, scripting, system modeling |
Students who want control-focused roles should build evidence beyond the transcript. A portfolio with simulation models, lab reports, embedded projects, motor-control work, PLC projects, or capstone documentation can make online study more visible to employers. Internships, co-ops, undergraduate research, and industry-sponsored projects are especially valuable because control systems work is applied and cross-functional.
This degree may not be the right investment if you mainly want software-only jobs, IT administration, or technician roles that do not require engineering theory. In those cases, computer science, information technology, engineering technology, or a shorter automation certificate may fit better.
What salary can electrical engineers expect in control systems roles?
Salary expectations should be based on role, industry, region, and experience rather than the degree title alone. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported $118,780 as the 2024 median annual wage for electrical and electronics engineers. That figure is a broad national benchmark, not a promise for graduates of any specific program.
The table below shows how control-related roles may align with broader occupational categories. Use it as a salary-context tool, then compare it with local job postings in your target industry.
| Role direction | Closest broad salary benchmark | How to interpret it |
| Electrical engineering roles in controls, power, or product design | BLS 2024 median for electrical and electronics engineers: $118,780 | Useful for estimating mid-career national compensation across many industries |
| Entry-level control or automation engineering | Often below the broad engineering median | New graduates may start lower while building experience with hardware, software, and plant systems |
| Specialized controls in aerospace, energy, robotics, or semiconductors | Can vary significantly by employer and location | Advanced skills, security clearance, graduate study, or domain expertise may affect offers |
| Technician or engineering technology roles | Usually benchmarked separately from engineer roles | Applied controls work can be valuable, but pay scales and advancement paths may differ |
For return-on-investment decisions, compare total program cost with likely job postings in the region where you want to work. A higher-cost program may make sense if it has ABET accreditation, strong employer connections, and required labs. A lower-cost program may be better if it meets the same accreditation and career requirements without unnecessary fees.
Do not assume that "control systems" automatically raises salary. Employers pay for demonstrated ability: modeling, troubleshooting, programming, communication, safety awareness, and the judgment to make systems reliable. Internships and capstone projects can influence early opportunities as much as elective titles do.
Do electrical engineers need licensure or certifications for control systems work?
Electrical engineers do not always need a license for control systems work, but licensure can matter in public utilities, consulting, construction, power infrastructure, and roles where engineers sign or seal work for public use. Requirements vary by state, so students should check the engineering board in the state where they plan to practice.
The Professional Engineer pathway typically involves an accredited engineering degree, the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, qualifying work experience, and the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. State rules differ, and some boards treat non-ABET, international, or engineering technology degrees differently.
Certifications are optional in many control systems roles, but they can help demonstrate applied knowledge when matched to the job. Consider these only after checking employer expectations:
- Engineer in Training or Engineering Intern status after passing the FE exam, useful for students who may pursue PE licensure later.
- Professional Engineer licensure for engineers in regulated practice areas, especially power, infrastructure, consulting, or public-facing design.
- Industrial automation or PLC vendor certifications for roles involving plant systems, process control, and manufacturing automation.
- Functional safety or cybersecurity training for engineers working with industrial control systems, critical infrastructure, or safety-related automation.
- Project management credentials for engineers moving toward technical lead, systems integration, or engineering management roles.
A common mistake is waiting until graduation to think about licensure. If PE licensure might matter to you, choose an ABET-accredited path early, keep syllabi and transcripts, and ask whether online labs satisfy the same outcomes as campus labs. If you plan to work in a non-licensed product-development role, certifications may be less important than projects, internships, and software skills.
Other Things You Should Know About Electrical Engineering
You should expect calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, probability, and physics-based problem solving. Control systems coursework is especially math-heavy because it uses models, transforms, stability analysis, and dynamic-system behavior.
Some online programs support home labs through mailed kits, simulation tools, remote lab access, or scheduled campus sessions. Ask each school exactly how required circuits, electronics, measurements, and control labs are completed before enrolling.
Usually no. Wait for the school's requirements because many programs provide licenses or specify versions for MATLAB, Simulink, SPICE tools, CAD software, or programming environments. Buying early can lead to unnecessary expense.
Often yes, especially general education, calculus, physics, and introductory programming credits. However, upper-level engineering courses and labs may be harder to transfer, so request a written transfer evaluation before committing to a program.
References
- Best Online Electrical Engineering Degrees 2025 https://www.onlineu.com/degrees/electrical-engineering
- Controls Engineer Salary in AU (July, 2026) – SEEK https://au.seek.com/career-advice/role/controls-engineer/salary
- 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/
- Find Programs - ABET https://www.abet.org/accreditation/find-programs/
- Engineering Control Systems - Academy Europe | European Open University https://academyeurope.org/courses/engineering-technology/engineering-control-systems/
- Online Electrical Engineering Degrees https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/degrees/engineering-programs/electrical-engineering/
- What does an Electrical Controls Engineer do? Career Overview, Roles, Jobs | IES https://careercenter.ies.org/career/electrical-controls-engineer
- Control Systems Engineer PE | Professional Engineer & PE Exam Forum https://engineerboards.com/threads/control-systems-engineer-pe.7330/
- Control Systems Engineering Course for Electrical Engineers https://www.pertecnica.in/control-systems-engineering-course-for-electrical-engineers/
- How to Become a Control Systems Engineer - Samuel Frank Recruitment https://samuelfrank.com/how-to-become-a-control-systems-engineer/
