The Best Online Engineering Colleges

Ranked as one of the best online and best value colleges to earn your bachelor’s degree in engineering, Clemson University (CU) provides its online undergraduate engineering students with quality education at a fair price. The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) degree at CU can be completed almost entirely online. While most of the required 126 credits can be taken in a virtual format, including the upper-division credits, some of the prerequisites are not offered online. Therefore, students are required to complete these classes either on campus at CU or through another school before transferring the credits. Once these prerequisites are completed, students can apply to the BSEE degree completion program. This program is also unique in that it is geared toward students who are already working full-time with an organization that does engineering work, allowing students to instantaneously apply their learning in the workforce.

Students can expect to take a mixture of advanced mathematics classes, labs, and technical courses, such as Fields, Waves, and Circuits as well as Technical Writing. Tuition for online students is about 10% higher than in-state costs.

Florida International University’s College of Engineering and Computing is ranked among the best online engineering colleges. Students attending this school can earn either a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering or a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering fully online.

The BS in Electrical Engineering is a 128-credit program and trains students in electronics and electromagnetism, nanotechnology, and power and energy systems. The BS in Computer Engineering is also 128 credits and offers a starting point for digital innovation in the areas of hardware architecture, software engineering, hardware-software integration, and computer networking. Students from each program will need to choose at least two concentrations from the following options:

• Bio-Engineering
• Communications
• Control Systems
• Integrated Nano-Technology
• Power/Energy
• Computer Architecture and Microprocessor Design
• Data System Software
• Embedded System Software
• Networking and Security
• Cyber Security
• Entrepreneurship

The cost per credit hour for both degree programs is $228.81 for in-state students. Graduates can work in many industries, including manufacturing, transportation, government agencies, research, military, and consumer electronics.

Ranked as one of the best valued, and overall best online engineering schools for earning a bachelor’s degree, Liberty University (LU) offers its students three online undergraduate engineering degree paths:

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Computational Mathematics – Engineering

While the first two degrees are offered through LU’s School of Engineering, the mathematics degree is offered through the College of Arts and Sciences. The degrees range in credit requirements from 120 to 131 credits, but each allows transfer students to transfer up to 75% of the credits needed to fulfill course requirements. Full-time students pay $390 per credit, while part-time students pay $455. The university also offers discounted tuition fees, at $250 per credit, for military students.

Graduates of the computational mathematics – engineering degree can pursue careers such as cryptographers, operations research analysts, and data analysts. Those with a civil engineering degree are ready for careers as environmental engineers, project managers, and geotechnical engineers. Those who earn an industrial engineering technology degree can choose from a range of careers, including quality engineers, operations managers, and industrial engineers.

Arizona State University (ASU) ranks high on the lists for best online engineering schools, best value, and most affordable bachelor’s degree programs. Students pursuing an undergraduate engineering degree at ASU online have several degree paths to choose from, including a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Technological Leadership, Bachelor of Applied Science in Operations Management, Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. While the program courses vary for each of these unique degrees, prospective students can expect to earn about 120 credits through a combination of content-specific courses and general education classes. Most classes are 7.5 weeks long, though some can run up to 15 weeks. Online students can expect to pay between $561-$661 per credit.

Depending on their degree path, students who earn their engineering bachelor’s degree at ASU online can pursue both entry-level and managerial positions in careers like:

• Aerospace engineer
• Solar energy systems engineer
• Operations research analyst
• Regulatory affairs manager
• Software developer
• Computer programmer
• Biomedical engineer
• Mechanical engineer

Ranked as one of the best valued and overall best online degrees, the University of Alabama’s online degree in engineering is also one of the most affordable. Students can expect to pay $375 per credit hour. The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering is earned primarily online, with three lab courses requiring an occasional in-person component. Accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), this 128-credit degree is a combination of general education as well as degree-specific courses. Students can take classes such as:

• Fluid Mechanics
• Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering
• Modern Manufacturing Practices
• Dynamic Machine Components
• Thermodynamics

In-person labs are typically taken during junior and senior year. Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering go on to work in diverse positions, including:

• Automotive engineer
• Construction engineer
• Manufacturing engineer
• Mechanical engineer
• Entrepreneur
• Thermal engineer
• Structural engineer

The University of West Florida ranks high on the lists of best online, best value, and most affordable online engineering colleges. The Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology online. This 120-credit degree prepares students to work in high-tech fields as technical support specialists, training technology supervisors, network administers, distance learning technicians, and field engineers.

Prospective students can expect to take degree-specific courses, such as:

• Computer Aided Design and Modeling
• Engineering Economy
• Programming for Engineers
• Writing for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math majors

A capstone is also required and can be done as an internship or practicum. Tuition for residents is just over $200 per credit and a little over $640 for non-residents. Those who reside in Alabama can receive a discounted cost at just over $300 per credit, and other non-Florida residents can fill out an out-of-state waiver to help reduce the cost of tuition.

The University of North Dakota is highly ranked as one of the most affordable, best value, and overall best online engineering colleges. The institution’s College of Engineering and Mines offers Bachelor of Science degrees in:

• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Cyber Security
• Electrical Engineering
• Geological Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering

UND also offers unique combined degrees, where students earn their bachelor’s and then a master’s in just one extra year with the accelerated degree program. For example, those earning a bachelor’s in computer science or electrical engineering have the opportunity to bundle this undergraduate degree with a master’s in biomedical engineering.

Tuition for bachelor’s programs is just over $600 per credit for online students, and though credit hours vary by program, prospective students can expect to take between 120-130 credit hours. Those in the chemical engineering program can choose from three concentrations:

• Energetics
• Petroleum Engineering
• Energy Sustainability

Electrical engineering students will take degree-specific courses, such as:

• Circuit Analysis
• Electric and Magnetic Fields
• Embedded Systems.

Old Dominion University ranks high on the lists for best online engineering schools, best value, and most affordable bachelor’s degree programs. Students looking to earn their undergraduate degree in engineering have multiple programs to choose from, such as the Bachelor of Science in General Engineering Technology: Electromechanical Systems and the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology offers the following focused degree programs:

• Civil Engineering Technology
• Computer Engineering Technology
• MET – Nuclear Systems Concentration
• Communications Systems Technology (Electrical Engineering Technology)
• Mechatronics Systems Technology (Electrical Engineering Technology)
• Power Systems Technology (Electrical Engineering Technology)
• Embedded Systems technology (Electrical Engineering Technology)
• MET – Manufacturing Systems/Mechanical System Design

Depending on the program, prospective students can expect to take 120-128 credits at about $360 per credit. Active-duty military may qualify for a discounted tuition rate. Students who earn their engineering bachelor’s degree online at Old Dominion University can pursue professional careers as:

• Materials engineers
• Construction managers
• Computer system engineers
• Maintenance managers
• Quality control engineers
• Data logging engineers
• Software engineers

Students earning their bachelor’s degree in engineering online at Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) will receive a quality education at a competitive price. Marked as one of the most affordable, best value, and best online colleges for earning your bachelor’s degree in engineering, ENMU offers two possible degrees:

• Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology with an Emphasis in Renewable Energy.

Designed for the working professional, the Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology can be earned either fully online or through a combination of both online and in-person classes. This degree prepares students for a career in electronics technology and computer technology. The Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology with an Emphasis in Renewable Energy requires students to take concentration-specific classes, including Renewable Energy Technology I, II, and III. The cost per credit hour is $285 for in-state and $369 for out-of-state online courses. Graduates with this degree can pursue careers involving wind turbines, solar power engineering technology, and PV/semiconductor processing technology.

Stony Brook University (SBU) ranks among the most affordable, best value, and best online college for earning an engineering bachelor’s degree. The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering program at SBU was designed for working adults who need flexibility while furthering their education. This 120-credit degree can be taken almost completely online, with the exception of some prerequisite and general education courses. Students also have the option to transfer some of their credits from other colleges to help fulfill required on-campus courses. Additionally, out-of-state online engineering students only pay a slightly higher rate, about $353 per credit, than in-state students, who pay $295 per credit.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering courses may include:

• Engineering Ethics and Societal Impact
• Technical Communications for Electrical Engineers
• Electromagnetics
• Signals and Systems

Upon graduation, students will be prepared to pursue careers as electrical engineers in a variety settings, ranging from scientific and research development firms, to the automotive and aerospace industries.

Students pursuing their bachelor’s degree in engineering online at Bemidji State University (BSU) will receive a quality education at a very affordable price. Bemidji State ranks among the best, most affordable, and best value online colleges for earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Online students at BSU can expect to pay the same rates as in-state students, around $330 per credit. Additionally, as a degree completion program, this Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering degree requires students to transfer at least 38 technical credits from a previous certification or two-year degree. This means students can finish their undergraduate studies in just two years. On top of the 38 transfer credits, students are expected to earn 40 credits at BSU to round out the 78-credit degree program. Classes for this degree include:

• Project Management Methodology
• Sustainability and Emerging Technologies
• Safety and Risk Management.

Upon graduation, students with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering can pursue careers such as production control mangers, industrial engineers, and sales engineers, while earning salaries that range from $70,000 to more than $97,000.

Ranked among the best online schools, Lamar University is also ranked as offering the best value and serving as one of the most affordable online engineering colleges. Tuition is set just above $5,000 for each of the following engineering bachelor’s degrees:

• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology

The first two years for both programs are typically based on a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree, technical certification, military ACE credits, or equivalent study. For the industrial engineering program, students can complete the final two years online, aside from a three-day manufacturing lab that requires one weekend in Beaumont, Texas. Degree-specific classes include Production and Inventory Control, and Operations Research. Graduates can become cost estimators, health and safety engineers, or industrial engineering technicians. The industrial technology program is fully online, allowing students to continue working while earning their degree. Program-specific classes include Engineering Economy and Quality Control Applications. Graduates with this degree can go on to work in manufacturing industries, engineering firms, and government agencies.

Bachelor students can transfer up to 75 hours of this 120-hour degree, and Lamar University offers scholarships specific to transfer students. Learn how to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering online from Lamar University.

Students who have earned their associate degree in engineering technology, and who wish to add management skills to their professional arsenal, can do so by earning an online bachelor’s in engineering at the University of South Carolina’s (U of SC). Ranked as one of the best online engineering colleges, U of SC offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology Management through their Palmetto College.

This fully online, 124-credit program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Students who have earned an accredited associate degree can go on to earn their bachelor’s degree in engineering at U of SC either part- or full-time. Full-time resident tuition runs a little over $5,000. For nonresident online students, tuition is just shy of $10,500.

Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology Management often fulfill leadership roles in careers as:

• Process engineers
• Quality engineers
• Quality technicians
• Project managers

One of the most affordable, best value, and best online engineering colleges, Indiana State University offers three online engineering bachelor’s degrees:

• Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology Management

The bachelor’s degrees in electronics engineering technology and mechanical engineering technology are degree completion programs, and are designed for transfer students. To be admitted, students must complete an associate degree in a related field from Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, or another regionally accredited institution. Upon graduation, electronics engineering technology students can pursue careers in electrical power operations, electronics manufacturing, and instrumentation and control. Graduates of the mechanical engineering technology degree can work in design, installation, maintenance, and evaluation.

For the bachelor’s in engineering technology management degree, students will take courses in engineering management; quality processes, like Lean Six Sigma; and production planning and control. Graduates can go on to pursue careers in supervision, workplace law, and production planning.

The in-state cost per credit hour is $332.00, and the cost for out-of-state online is $432.00.

Regarded as one of the best and most affordable online engineering colleges, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University makes earning your bachelor’s in engineering simple and inexpensive. Prospective students can choose from two bachelor’s degrees:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering is a 128-credit program, and though it focuses on aerospace technologies and systems, it also addresses mechanical, electrical, aeronautical, and systems engineering. Graduates with this degree can enter into research, development, and design positions or continue into postgraduate studies.

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, offered entirely online, requires 122 credits for completion, and students will take classes like Dynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Circuits for Engineering Technology. Students will also choose from the following concentrations:

• Aeronautical Science
• Aviation Safety
• Helicopter Operations and Safety
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Logistics Management
• Management Information Systems
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Project Management
• Security and Intelligence

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University also has a discount credit rate of $250 per credit for military students, their spouses, and their dependents under 26.

Kennesaw State University Bachelor’s

Ranked as one of the best online engineering colleges, Kennesaw State University is also one of the best value schools and most affordable–about $185 per credit hour–for online bachelor’s degrees in engineering. Prospective students can earn the following degrees online:

• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Technology
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Manufacturing Operations
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Supply Chain Logistics

Accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, the BS in Industrial Engineering Technology can be earned fully online through a synchronous format. After completing the 127-credit program, graduates can enter the workforce as industrial engineers, operations managers, project engineers, and more.

Both the BAS in Manufacturing Operations and the BAS in Supply Chain Logistics are designed for students who completed an Associate of Applied Science from a Technical College Systems of Georgia institution or another regionally accredited higher learning institution. Additionally, both programs are online, synchronous, and require 120 credit hours. Graduates of the manufacturing operations program go on to work in manufacturing, operations, and logistics. Graduates of the supply chain logistics program often work as logistics coordinators, quality managers, or purchasing directors.

Students can earn their bachelor’s degree in engineering fully online at ECPI University. ECPI University, ranked as one of the best online engineering colleges, offers prospective students a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology. This 124-credit program focuses on areas such as mechanical design and analysis, thermal-fluid-energy sciences, electro-mechanical devices, and computer aided engineering graphics and analysis. Students will attend program-specific classes, such as:

• Electronic Devices and Operational Amplifiers
• Engineering Graphics Communications
• Machine Tools
• Applied Finite Element Analysis
• Hydraulics and Pneumatics Systems

After earning a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology, graduates can hold positions as mechanical engineering consultants, product and materials testing technologists, industrial engineers, product engineers, or plant maintenance and production managers.

With countless scholarship opportunities and low tuition costs, the University of Southern Mississippi was voted one of the most affordable colleges for pursuing an engineering bachelor’s degree online. Additionally, Southern Miss also ranks high for being one of the best value and overall best online colleges. Students hoping to earn an undergraduate degree online in engineering can choose from three options:

• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Technology (Logistics)
• Bachelor of Science in Construction Management

Each of these programs requires students to earn 120 credits, consisting of general education, content-specific, and elective courses. Online students also pay the same rate as in-state students, about $370 per credit. The construction management degree is geared toward students pursuing leadership roles in both small- and large-scale operations, readying them for jobs like field inspectors, project managers, and construction superintendents. The two industrial engineering technology degrees provide students with a variety of technical and management skills, helping prepare graduates for careers as process engineers, systems engineers, and industrial specialists.

American Military University (AMU) is ranked as one of the best and most affordable schools for earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, AMU enrolls both military and nonmilitary students. AMU’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math offers a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering. Students pursuing this 128-credit degree online can start any time, with new eight-week course sessions beginning every month. Students will experience a combination of hand-on labs and online instruction as they complete courses such as:

• Electromagnetic Field Theory
• Differential Equations
• Discrete Mathematics
• Analog Circuit Theory

Classes run as low as $250 a credit with AMU’s military grant, and the university also offers a no-cost textbook program for all undergraduate students. This bachelor’s degree also requires students to choose from the following concentrations:

• Communications
• General
• Mechatronics Systems

Students who earn their bachelor’s in electrical engineering at AMU can pursue career paths as scientific researchers, aerospace engineers, electrical engineers, and CAD technicians.

DeVry University offers its undergraduates access to one of the best online bachelor’s in engineering degrees. Students have a choice between two fully online engineering degrees, one of which offers additional specializations:

• Bachelor’s in Engineering Technology – Electronics
• Standard Option
• Renewable Energy
• Bachelor’s in Engineering Technology – Computers

To earn these 139-credit degrees, students will need to take a combination of general education, technical, and program-specific courses, all of which can be completed in as little as three years. Students in the computers program will take classes like:

• Electronics Circuits and Devices with Lab
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Product Development
• Students who enroll in the electronics program can expect to take courses such as:
• Circuit Analysis Fundamentals
• Product, Project, and People Management
• Fundamentals of Cloud Computing

Upon graduation, students will be ready for careers as computer support specialists, electronics technicians, engineering technicians, and manufacturing technicians.