Online Engineering Management Degrees

Well-designed engineering management programs develop students’ technical and leadership capabilities, preparing them for top managerial positions in construction, architectural, and engineering projects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual salary of $149,530 for practitioners in this arena, much higher than the $41,950 national median for all workers.

Several schools now offer an engineering management degree online to attract and serve students who cannot attend onsite classes. An online engineering management degree usually follows the same curriculum as an on-campus program. Distance learners graduate with the same degree as on-campus enrollees and enjoy many of the same professional opportunities as well.

Engineering management degree-holders become cost systems analysts, construction site supervisors, project managers, and industrial management engineers.

The BLS projects 3% growth for jobs in this sector, about as fast as the projected 4% growth for all jobs.

A typical engineering management degree often includes coursework in materials handling, marketing, systems engineering, and managerial science.

An accredited engineering management degree qualifies graduates for high-paying entry-level positions in diverse industries including aerospace, manufacturing, and scientific research. An engineering management bachelor’s degree meets the educational requirement for most postgraduate programs in engineering or other technical fields. An engineering management degree can also qualify holders for MBA programs with a focus in a technical field.

Many online engineering management degrees offer asynchronous classes and follow accelerated delivery schedules. Students can pursue the degree while continuing to work full or part time, avoiding any significant income loss.

National Center for Education Statistics data shows bachelor’s students at public schools paid an average of $21,035 for tuition, fees, and room and board in 2019-20. Undergraduates at private nonprofit institutions paid considerably more, averaging $48,965 the same year.

Online learners do not incur on-campus expenses such as room and board. These students paid an average of $9,349 for tuition and fees at public schools, and $35,807 at private nonprofit institutions. The cost of one year of enrollment in an on-campus or online engineering management degree should approximate these amounts.

Some schools allow out-of-state online enrollees to pay in-state tuition. The difference between resident and nonresident tuition can significantly impact attendance costs. Online students should find out whether a prospective institution offers this opportunity.

Online learners at some schools pay additional technology fees not required of on-campus peers. College and universities calculate these fees per credit or per semester. Technology fees may affect attendance costs, so online enrollees should note this possible expense before enrolling.

An online engineering management degree may include onsite components such as lab work, orientation sessions, or culminating experience presentations. Students living far from the school of their choice should research whether their program requires any on-campus attendance. When considering earning an engineering management degree online, factor any commuting into cost calculations.

The BLS reports that companies involved in the manufacture and reproduction of magnetic and optical media pay the highest engineering management mean salaries, at $216,330. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing companies and the oil and gas extraction industry pay engineering managers the second- and third-highest salaries, $212,270 and $207,700, respectively. Architectural and engineering firms employ the most engineering management specialists. The 54,420 positions across these companies garner an annual mean salary of $157,630.

The state in which an engineering manager works also impacts salary levels. The states paying the highest engineering management salaries include California, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and New Jersey. Engineering managers in these areas earn annual mean salaries of $188,940, $178,120, $173,550, $172,910, and $171,280, respectively.

Engineering management experts can significantly boost their income potential with an advanced degree in the field or an industry-recognized certification in a specific practice area.

Engineering management programs typically include technical and managerial coursework to prepare graduates for leadership roles in technical arenas. Some programs feature specializations in different engineering areas such as aerospace, architectural, biomedical, and chemical engineering. Most schools offer foundation courses online and on campus, but may not offer some specialization coursework digitally.

Most engineering management programs comprise 120-128 credits. Students often complete an internship experience and a culminating activity of a thesis, capstone research project, or comprehensive exam.

Learners pursuing an engineering management degree online may take the three common courses described briefly below.

States require engineering managers to obtain a license before they can practice professionally. Licensure requirements vary by state. Jobs do not require certification, however, but many engineering managers still choose to earn an industry-recognized credential. Certification presents the holder as a well-trained and learned practitioner with skills and knowledge in a specific practice area. The designation usually qualifies them for leadership positions and higher salaries.