Online Engineering Degrees 2022
Earning an online degree in engineering can lead to many new career opportunities. Here, we list the top programs available.
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A degree in engineering opens career paths in diverse industries including aerospace, energy, information technology, and construction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recognizes and prepares employment reports on 18 engineering occupations. Entering such a broad professional arena, students choose a specific engineering subfield early in their academic journey.
The BLS groups architects and engineers under the same occupational category. It projects these professions to grow 3% from 2019-2029, about as fast as all occupations. The BLS reports that many of the projected 74,800 new jobs fall under the engineering occupations.
For students planning to pursue a degree in engineering, our guide offers information to help choose the best fit. We provide a ranking of 2021's top engineering programs, outline benefits of earning an engineering degree online, and highlight scholarship opportunities.
AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Online Engineering Program Q and A
Jobs open to engineering graduates depend on the subfield of engineering they majored in, including mechanical, civil, or electrical engineering.
Yes. The BLS reports a median annual salary of $83,160 for engineers.
The cost of earning an engineering degree online will likely approximate average bachelor's degree costs for 2018-19. In-state students at public institutions paid $9,212 for tuition and fees only, excluding on-campus room and board.
A bachelor's degree in engineering usually takes four years to complete. However, factors such as enrollment status and delivery format can influence completion time.
Why Get a Degree in Engineering?
Jobs in many engineering subfields garner median annual salaries higher than the national median for all workers. Electrical and electronics engineers, chemical engineers, and aerospace engineers all earn median annual salaries above $100,000.
Several schools now offer online engineering programs, allowing students to earn a degree in an engineering subfield not offered in their home state. Online programs give enrollees the further advantage of a cheaper degree since they do not pay room and board.
How Much Does an Engineering Degree Cost?
National Center for Education Statistics data show 2018-19 attendance costs at public in-state schools came to $20,598. Students at private nonprofit institutions paid a considerably higher amount, $47,541 on average. The figures include tuition, required fees, and on-campus room and board. The cost of a bachelor's degree in engineering will likely approximate these amounts. However, engineering programs requiring laboratory training may cost more.
Most online students do not pay additional on-campus housing expenses, lowering the cost of attendance significantly. For tuition and fees only, learners at in-state public institutions paid an average of $9,212, while students at private nonprofit schools paid $34,758. Students should also take note of schools allowing out-of-state online enrollees to pay in-state tuition. Earning an engineering degree online can result in meaningful savings because of the substantial difference between resident and non-resident tuition.
How Much Do Engineering Majors Make?
As stated above, many engineering jobs garner higher-than-average salaries. Aspiring computer hardware engineers enter a professional arena with a median annual salary of $119,560. The top-paying industries for these professions include securities and financial investment companies, software publishers, and computer and equipment manufacturing companies. These employers pay mean annual salaries of $170,190, $164,270, and $147,220, respectively.
The BLS projects 10% growth for industrial engineers in 2019-2029, making it one of the fastest growing engineering subfields. The highest paying arenas for industrial engineers include crude oil pipeline transportation, telecommunications, and petroleum and coal products manufacturing. Industrial engineers at these companies earn mean annual salaries of $120,850, $114,920, and $113,800, respectively.
Courses in Engineering
Engineering encompasses a broad professional arena and, expectedly, no single curriculum can contain all the courses required for each specific subfield. Institutions offering the same degree in engineering often follow unique curricula designed to support their specific academic objectives.
Most engineering courses involve hands-on training through an internship experience or individual or group projects. The courses described below represent foundation classes offered in an engineering program's first half, before students focus on major-specific courses their junior and senior years.
Students learn how to apply economic principles and techniques in implementing engineering designs and decisions. The course teaches enrollees about feasibility studies, quantitative methods of assessment, and basic economic model building. Topics include the time value of money, equivalence, rate of return, and cash flows.Engineering Economics
The class covers four main topics: linear and vector algebra, particle equilibrium, engineering applications, and rigid body equilibrium. Students learn to identify and analyze different internal and external force systems that affect particles and rigid bodies in static equilibrium. The course focuses on the application of computer-based matrix methods to solve engineering problems.Introduction to Engineering Analysis
The course familiarizes students with a range of topics including partial derivatives, vector fields, double and triple integrals, and the divergence theorem. A core tool in applied mathematics, engineers apply this discipline's principles to computer graphics programming and civil engineering when building large projects like airports and highways.Multivariable Calculus
Certifications and Licensure for Engineering
All 50 states and the District of Columbia require engineers to acquire a license before working. Licensure requirements vary, so students should contact the state licensing board where they plan to work for specific criteria. Industry-recognized professional organizations issue certifications, often qualifying holders for increased responsibilities and leadership positions in specific subfields.
Scholarships for Engineering
Many schools offer STEM scholarships to attract and support the most promising students in science, technology, engineering, and math. Students pursuing a degree in engineering can find additional financial aid packages from state and federal government agencies. Professional organizations and private nonprofit groups with established ties to engineering also support students.
| Scholarship | Amount | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|
American Society of Naval Engineers Scholarship |
$4,000 | Full-time undergraduate and graduate engineering students can apply for the scholarship. Graduate applicants must hold ASNE membership; undergraduate applicants do not need membership but should hold senior status. |
Society of Women Engineers |
Varies | SWE welcomes applications from female/women-identifying students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program with accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. |
Best Online Engineering Programs 2022
#1
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Admission Rate | 62% |
| Graduation Rate | 28% |
| Instituation Type | Private |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
93%
|
Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide is a private institution. The school's catalog of 42 online programs provides options for students interested in many fields. Aspiring civil engineers can pursue the school's bachelor of science in civil engineering to qualify for positions in the field.
The program features foundational major coursework, which helps degree-seekers prepare for upper-level classes. While completing upper-division coursework, learners develop transferable critical thinking and analytical skills. While most bachelor's degree-seekers graduate in four years, part-time enrollment may extend degree-completion time.
Learners can access support services such as tutoring and career counseling. The institution holds accreditation, which means enrollees can qualify for federal financial aid programs, such as the Pell Grant.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide Fast Facts:
Admission Rate: 62%
Total Programs: 42
Total Bachelor's Programs: 16
Online Bachelor's Programs: 16
Transfer Credits Toward Degree: No
#2
University of North Dakota
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Grand Forks, North Dakota |
| Admission Rate | 81% |
| Graduation Rate | 61% |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
45%
|
Distance learners can pursue an online bachelor's in civil engineering at the University of North Dakota to prepare for civil engineering careers. The Grand Forks-based school provides academic programs for on-campus degree-seekers. Online undergraduate students can choose from 16 online bachelor's programs.
With various scheduling options, the program provides flexibility for online learners. Busy students and working professionals benefit from the distance learning format. Degree candidates participate in asynchronous discussions and network with peers. Undergraduates pursuing their degree full time typically graduate in four years.
Learners pursuing their bachelor's degree online benefit from the school's affordable tuition rates and can apply for institutional funding. Bachelor's students typically complete about 120 credits, and tuition costs an average of $726 per credit. Degree-seekers at the accredited institution can receive federal financial aid, such as the Pell Grant. Financial aid counselors help students understand funding options and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
#3
University of Central Florida
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Orlando, Florida |
| Admission Rate | 44% |
| Graduation Rate | 72% |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
59%
|
Learners interested in civil engineering can pursue the bachelor's in civil engineering at the University of Central Florida. The online program is ideal for students with busy schedules. Bachelor's graduates can qualify for entry-level careers in the field.
In addition to core coursework, degree-seekers in the program complete advanced classes in field-related topics. Learners begin with general education courses and then complete major-specific classes in topics. These classes strengthen in-demand skills like communication and critical thinking. Learners consult with faculty mentors to select classes aligning with their interests and career goals.
In addition to educating students at its Florida campus, the public institution enrolls students in 47 online programs. Degree-seekers across the country can pursue the school's 19 online bachelor's programs without relocating. Students with financial need can submit the FAFSA to apply for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs.
#4
Old Dominion University
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Norfolk, Virginia |
| Admission Rate | 89% |
| Graduation Rate | 53% |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
54%
|
The top-ranked bachelor's in civil engineering technology at Old Dominion University enrolls learners with a flexible online format. The public institution, located in Norfolk, Virginia, welcomes undergraduates to its on-campus and online programs. The flexible learning format makes it easier for students to balance school with work or other responsibilities.
The online bachelor's program emphasizes foundational and advanced civil engineering knowledge. Degree-seekers customize their course of study by working with faculty mentors and academic advisors to choose electives and minors. The college's online support services include tutoring, a writing center, financial aid counseling, and career advising.
Because of the school's accreditation, enrollees qualify for federal student aid programs like the Pell Grant. In addition to federal aid, distance learners can use scholarships and state grants to pay for school.
Old Dominion University Numbers:
Total Bachelor's Programs: 56
Online Bachelor's Programs: 20
Number of Online Students: 12,854
Percent of Applicants Admitted: 89%
Student Graduation Rate: 53%
Average Per-Credit Price: $492
Transfer Credits Toward Degree: Yes
#5
Liberty University
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lynchburg, Virginia |
| Admission Rate | 51% |
| Graduation Rate | 47% |
| Instituation Type | Private |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
92%
|
Liberty University enrolls degree-seekers in its top-ranked bachelor of science in civil engineering program. In addition to on-campus programs offered in Lynchburg, Virginia, the private institution offers a variety of online bachelor's programs. The online learning format appeals to working professionals and busy students.
Degree-seekers gain foundational and advanced skills in engineering during the online bachelor's program. Undergraduates meet with faculty mentors and academic advisors to create an individual degree plan based on their career goals. The school supports distance learners with academic services and career counseling.
Distance learners pursuing a degree at the accredited institution can use federal financial aid programs like the Pell Grant. Online students can also pay for school with scholarships, grants, and loans.
Liberty University Numbers:
Total Bachelor's Programs: 91
Online Bachelor's Programs: 30
Number of Online Students: 78,511
Student Admission Rate: 51%
Percent of Students who Earn a Bachelor's Degree: 47%
Average Per-Credit Tuition: $750
Transfer Credits Counted: No
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