The Best Online Bachelor’s in General Engineering

The Top 4 Best Online Bachelor's in General Engineering
RankSchoolLocationScore
#1Bemidji State UniversityBemidji, Minnesota99
#2Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityDaytona Beach, Florida93
#3Seminole State College of FloridaSanford, Florida61
#4Daytona State CollegeDaytona Beach, Florida60

General engineering is the ideal engineering concentration for those who have an interest in the basic principles and technical dimensions of engineering but who have perhaps not yet chosen an area of concentration. Earning an online bachelor’s in general engineering degree can provide you with a strong foundation in core engineering concepts while also offering a sampling of some of the top engineering subdisciplines.

Your study will combine math- and science-intensive courses with basic engineering principles such as mechanics, thermodynamics, and electronic circuitry. Your engineering bachelor’s degree program will likely include introductory courses in calculus, physics and differential equations as well as practical training in various areas of engineering such as civil engineering, environmental engineering, and software engineering. Earning your bachelor’s degree in general engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university degree program is an important basic threshold on your way to becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

Learn more about Programmatic Accreditation for online bachelor’s degrees in engineering.

Find out how you can become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

Choosing the general engineering concentration will provide you with a well-rounded education in the engineering discipline, and the building blocks to advance toward an array of more specialized roles such as mechanical engineer, aerospace engineer, systems engineer, and much more.

Earning your general engineering degree online provides a convenient, flexible and accessible way to balance the pursuit of your undergraduate degree with your existing career and personal responsibilities. Bear in mind that many online bachelor’s degree programs may include a practicum or laboratory requirements, which could necessitate you to meet in-person once or several times during a semester. Be aware of any such requirements as you search for the right online engineering bachelor’s degree program.

Learn more about the benefits of an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.

These programs were ranked with eight factors: student-to-faculy ratio, degrees-awarded-in-field ratio, graduation rate, retention rate, percentage of online students, concentrated influence, desirability, and exclusivity. The program's cost grade is determined by the average in-state tuition levels and its percentile distribution compared to other online engineering institutions. Learn more about our methodology

The Best Online Bachelor's in General Engineering Ranking

#1

Bemidji State University

Technology, Art, and Design

Program Score 99
Relative Cost
Top Online Engineering College A Most Affordable Online Engineering College #10 Best Value Online Engineering College
Adult Friendly
Online Experience
Disability Friendly
First-Generation Friendly
Bemidji State University's Online Bachelor's in General Engineering Degrees and Programs
DegreeCredits NeededCompletion Time
BAS - Applied Engineering782-3 years
General Information+
Key FactAnswer
Total Enrollment4,897 (27% fully online)
Public or PrivatePublic
Number of Online Engineering Programs1
AccreditationRegional: Higher Learning Commission
Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition$8,940 per year
Average Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition$8,940 per year
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
Net Price Information+
Family Annual IncomeCost
$0 – $30,000$10,632/year
$30,001 – $48,000$11,658/year
$48,001 – $75,000$14,001/year
$75,001 – $110,000$18,280/year
$110,00+$19,464/year
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
See BSU’s full list of online degrees!
#2

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

College of Engineering

Program Score 93
Relative Cost
Top Online Engineering College A Most Affordable Online Engineering College
Adult Friendly
Online Experience
Disability Friendly
First-Generation Friendly
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Online Bachelor's in General Engineering Degrees and Programs
DegreeCredits NeededCompletion Time
BS - Engineering1284-5 years
BS - Engineering Technology1224-5 years
General Information+
Key FactAnswer
Total Enrollment13,773 (82% fully online)
Public or PrivatePrivate
Number of Online Engineering Programs7
AccreditationRegional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition$9,912 per year
Average Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition$9,912 per year
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
Net Price Information+
Family Annual IncomeCost
$0 – $30,000$17,756/year
$30,001 – $48,000$19,712/year
$48,001 – $75,000$21,120/year
$75,001 – $110,000$23,143/year
$110,00+/year
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
See ERAU’s full list of online degrees!
#3

Seminole State College of Florida

Engineering Technology

Seminole State College of Florida's School Logo
Program Score 61*
Relative Cost
#2 Most Affordable Online Engineering CollegeA Best Value Online Engineering College
Adult Friendly
Online Experience
Disability Friendly
First-Generation Friendly
Hispanic Serving
Seminole State College of Florida's Online Bachelor's in General Engineering Degrees and Programs
DegreeCredits NeededCompletion Time
BS - Engineering Technology1284-5 years
General Information+
Key FactAnswer
Total Enrollment17,754 (25% fully online)
Public or PrivatePublic
USDE Special Government StatusHispanic-Serving Institution
Number of Online Engineering Programs1
AccreditationRegional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition$3,131 per year
Average Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition$11,456 per year
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
Net Price Information+
Family Annual IncomeCost
$0 – $30,000$7,006/year
$30,001 – $48,000$8,285/year
$48,001 – $75,000$10,746/year
$75,001 – $110,000$12,447/year
$110,00+$12,824/year
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
See SSCF’s full list of online degrees!
#4

Daytona State College

School of Engineering Technology

Program Score 60*
Relative Cost
#1 Most Affordable Online Engineering CollegeA Best Value Online Engineering College
Adult Friendly
Online Experience
Disability Friendly
First-Generation Friendly
Daytona State College's Online Bachelor's in General Engineering Degrees and Programs
DegreeCredits NeededCompletion Time
BS - Engineering Technology1284-5 years
General Information+
Key FactAnswer
Total Enrollment13,430 (27% fully online)
Public or PrivatePublic
Number of Online Engineering Programs2
AccreditationRegional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition$3,106 per year
Average Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition$11,994 per year
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
Net Price Information+
Family Annual IncomeCost
$0 – $30,000$7,577/year
$30,001 – $48,000$8,549/year
$48,001 – $75,000$11,010/year
$75,001 – $110,000$12,630/year
$110,00+$12,836/year
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
See DSC’s full list of online degrees!

Online Bachelor's in General Engineering FAQ

What Courses Will I Take With an Online Bachelor’s Degree in General Engineering?

In addition to introductory courses on core engineering principles and foundational STEM courses like physics and calculus, your degree in general engineering will likely take a liberal arts approach to engineering, including some of the following courses:

  • Engineering Design
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Electromagnetism

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What Industries Can I Work in With an Online Bachelor’s Degree in General Engineering?

A bachelor’s degree in general engineering is a great way to gain a wide base of engineering knowledge, which can be applied in a variety of industries, including:

  • Business
  • Architecture
  • Computer Science
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Healthcare Technology

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What Jobs Can I Get With an Online Bachelor’s Degree in General Engineering?

This versatile engineering degree can open the door to a number of exciting career options. With a bachelor’s degree in general engineering, you could:

  • Provide technical consultation to law firm
  • Consult on a telecommunications project
  • Contribute to urban public transportation planning
  • Support manufacturing plant operations
  • Conduct data analysis for an architecture firm

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Online Bachelor's in Engineering FAQ

Can You Get a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Fully Online?

You can earn a bachelor's degree in engineering online. However, you'll want to make sure that your online bachelor's degree program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Only degrees from ABET-accredited institutions will be viewed as credible by employers, professional associations, scholarly journals, and others.

To learn more, find out what you can do with an online bachelor's degree in engineering.

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What Kind of Accreditation Do I Need for an Online Bachelor's Degree in Engineering?

Accreditation is important in higher education, but it takes on added importance in certain fields. Engineering is one of them. Engineering accreditation is actually an essential requirement if you plan to become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). So in addition to seeking out a college or university with accreditation from a Department of Education-recognized accreditor, you should also seek out a school with an engineering program that has earned programmatic accreditation. In the engineering field, programmatic accreditation must be granted by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in order for the resulting degree to confer licensing eligibility.

To learn more, check out our Guide to Programmatic Accreditation for Engineering.

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What Kinds of Online Bachelor's in Engineering Degrees Are There?
  • Bachelor of Science Engineering (B.Sc.Eng.)
  • Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)
  • Bachelor of Engineering Science (B.Eng.Sc.)
  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.)
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.)

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How Long Does It Take To Earn an Online Bachelor's Degree in Engineering?

The typical online bachelor's degree in engineering will require you to earn 120 credits. For full-time students, this can typically be completed over the course of four to six years. Part-time students who are balancing their online education with job responsibilities and commitments to home and family may require longer.

If you're interested in bundling your online bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering into a single program, learn more about Accelerated 4+1 Online Engineering Degree Programs here.

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What Are Some Important Engineering Societies?

Engineering societies are an essential part of the engineering discipline and professional sector. In addition to the numerous benefits that these professional associations provide to members, many of the leading engineering societies also play a direct role in granting accreditation to degree programs and awarding licenses to professional engineers. It's a good idea to become familiar with the engineering societies, professional associations, and student-run groups that represent the engineering field. This can be especially appealing if you're working toward an online engineering degree. The following are some noteworthy professional engineering societies:

For a closer look, check out our Guide to the top Professional Engineering Associations.

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Career Information

Engineer Career Information

Engineer Hourly Wages by Percentile
PercentileHourly Wage
Mean$48 per hour
Tenth Percentile$28 per hour
Twenty-Fifth Percentile$35 per hour
Fiftieth Percentile (Median)$45 per hour
Seventy-Fifth Percentile$59 per hour
Ninetieth Percentile$74 per hour
Engineer Annual Wages by Percentile
PercentileAnnual Wage
Mean$100,770
Tenth Percentile$58,210
Twenty-Fifth Percentile$72,940
Fiftieth Percentile (Median)$94,500
Seventy-Fifth Percentile$122,420
Ninetieth Percentile$154,870
Engineer Employment Outlook 2019-2029
MeasurementEmployment
2019 Employment1,810,100 people
2029 Employment1,879,100 people
Employment Percent Change from 2019 to 20294%

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Updated: .