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2027 Electrical Engineering Degree Concentration Outlook Report: Which Tracks Are Growing Faster, Paying More, and Hiring More Consistently

Imed Bouchrika, PhD

by Imed Bouchrika, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

Table of Contents

How Do the Major Electrical Engineering Degree Concentrations Compare?

Electrical engineering concentrations are specialized academic tracks inside an EE degree. They shape the electives you take, the labs you complete, the tools you learn, and the jobs you are most competitive for after graduation. The best concentration is not simply the one with the highest salary; it is the one that matches your strengths, your preferred work environment, and the type of institution that gives you the best mix of affordability, support, and employer recognition.

Institution type matters because "online" describes delivery format, while public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit describe institutional structure. An online electrical engineering degree can be offered by a public university, a private nonprofit university, or a for-profit institution. For engineering, the most important quality signal is usually accreditation, especially ABET accreditation for bachelor's programs where licensure, transfer, graduate study, or employer screening may matter.

The table below compares common electrical engineering concentrations by career fit, hiring drivers, and school-selection considerations. Use it to narrow your options before comparing tuition, financial aid, graduation outcomes, and lab access.

ConcentrationTypical focusCommon rolesBest-fit studentsInstitution-value considerations
Power and energy systemsElectric grids, renewable energy, power electronics, protection systemsPower engineer, protection engineer, energy systems engineerStudents who like infrastructure, utilities, energy reliability, and large physical systemsStrong value at public universities with utility partnerships, labs, and regional employer pipelines
Computer engineering and embedded systemsDigital systems, firmware, microcontrollers, real-time computingEmbedded systems engineer, firmware engineer, hardware-software integration engineerStudents who enjoy both circuits and programmingOnline or hybrid options can work if labs, hardware kits, and project portfolios are substantial
Semiconductors and microelectronicsChip design, fabrication, device physics, VLSI, nanotechnologySemiconductor engineer, verification engineer, process engineerStudents interested in chips, AI hardware, electronics manufacturing, or graduate researchPrivate nonprofit or research-intensive public programs may be worth more if they provide cleanroom access or funded research
Controls, robotics, and automationFeedback systems, sensors, robotics, industrial automationControls engineer, robotics engineer, automation engineerStudents who like math, mechanical systems, programming, and manufacturing technologyLook for industry-sponsored labs, co-ops, and project-based capstones rather than brand name alone
Communications, RF, and signal processingWireless systems, antennas, radar, DSP, satellite communicationsRF engineer, signal processing engineer, communications systems engineerStudents interested in defense, telecom, aerospace, satellites, or imagingEmployer recognition can depend heavily on faculty expertise, lab equipment, and internship access
Biomedical electronics and instrumentationSensors, medical devices, imaging, wearable systemsBiomedical electronics engineer, test engineer, instrumentation engineerStudents who want healthcare technology without becoming cliniciansChoose programs with regulatory, device-testing, and clinical partnership exposure

The first practical filter is accreditation. Then compare total cost, not sticker tuition. Tuition, fees, housing, lost income, transfer credits, financial aid, internship access, and time to completion can make a lower-tuition program more expensive in practice if it delays graduation or lacks the courses needed for your target concentration.

Which Electrical Engineering Degree Concentrations Are Growing the Fastest?

The fastest-growing EE concentrations are the ones connected to computing infrastructure, electrification, automation, and advanced electronics. Growth varies by role, so students should interpret labor-market data as a directional signal rather than a promise of individual job outcomes.

The table below uses representative U.S. labor-market benchmarks to show where EE concentrations connect to faster-growing occupations. These are not exact forecasts for every graduate, but they help identify which tracks are benefiting from broader industry demand.

Growth rankConcentrationWhy demand is risingRelevant labor-market signalBest academic preparation
1Computer engineering, embedded systems, and AI hardwareMore products now combine sensors, firmware, edge computing, and AI accelerationBLS projects software developer employment to grow 17% through 2033, which benefits EE graduates who can work across hardware and softwareDigital design, C/C++, Python, operating systems, FPGA, embedded Linux, real-time systems
2Semiconductors and microelectronicsChip demand is tied to AI, electric vehicles, defense systems, cloud infrastructure, and domestic manufacturing investmentHiring is concentrated in specialized employers, but demand is strong for graduates with fabrication, verification, and device-design experienceVLSI, semiconductor devices, fabrication labs, verification, analog circuits, graduate research exposure
3Controls, robotics, and automationManufacturers, logistics firms, and energy companies are automating equipment and using more sensor-driven systemsBLS projects industrial engineer employment to grow 12% through 2033, which supports adjacent automation and controls hiringControl theory, PLCs, robotics, MATLAB/Simulink, sensors, mechatronics, industrial networking
4Power systems and renewable energyGrid modernization, battery storage, electric vehicles, and renewable integration require power engineering talentThe 9% projected growth for electrical and electronics engineers supports continued demand in grid and energy rolesPower electronics, protection, machines, high voltage, energy markets, utility internships
5RF, communications, and signal processingDefense, satellite systems, wireless networks, radar, and sensing applications remain technically demandingDemand is steady but often employer-specific and influenced by security clearance eligibilityDSP, electromagnetics, antennas, microwave circuits, probability, communication theory

Students choosing between public and private programs should ask whether the concentration is actually supported by faculty, labs, and employer relationships. A public university with a strong regional semiconductor or utility pipeline may outperform a more expensive private program for the same track, while a private nonprofit research university may justify higher cost when it gives students access to specialized chip, RF, or robotics facilities that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Which Electrical Engineering Degree Concentrations Are Growing the Fastest?

Other Things You Should Know About Electrical Engineering

What is the best electrical engineering concentration overall?

There is no single best concentration for every student. Computer engineering, embedded systems, semiconductors, power systems, and controls currently offer strong combinations of demand and salary potential, but the best choice depends on your skills, preferred industry, location, and program quality.

Is an online electrical engineering degree respected by employers?

It can be, especially if the institution is properly accredited, the engineering program meets employer expectations, and students complete credible labs and projects. For bachelor's programs, verify whether ABET accreditation applies to the exact online or hybrid format.

Is a public university usually the best value for electrical engineering?

An in-state public university is often a strong value because it may combine lower tuition with labs, ABET accreditation, and employer recruiting. However, a private nonprofit or online program can be worth it if net price, completion support, specialization, and career access are stronger for your situation.

Which electrical engineering concentration is best for remote work?

Embedded systems, firmware, digital design, verification, signal processing, and simulation-heavy roles tend to offer more remote or hybrid potential than field power, manufacturing, test-lab, or hardware bring-up roles. Even remote-friendly EE jobs may require occasional onsite work with equipment or teams.

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