University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs for a bachelors in engineering.
Overview of a Bachelor’s in Engineering
A college of engineering and many universities offer a wide variety of undergraduate and master’s degrees in engineering, including online engineering programs and a variety of on-campus engineering degree options. Focusing on the bachelor’s degrees, you’ll find that you have many choices of specialties on which to focus your engineering degree. This includes chemical and biomolecular engineering, mechanical, safety engineering technology, aerospace, industrial engineering, computer, petroleum engineering, civil, software engineering, environmental, electronics engineering technology, and electrical engineering programs.
Wherever their interests happen to lie, students will be able to find a field that will keep them striving to know more. As you consider each engineering field, you’ll also find that the various concentrations have different degree requirements you’ll have to satisfy before you graduate. If you think you’re interested in earning an engineering degree, whether through in-person or online engineering degree programs, but you aren’t sure where to start, you’re in the right place.
Featured Online Engineering Programs
PROS
- While you will need to study hard to succeed in this field, and you will take many steps toward satisfying your goal of earning an engineering degree, with a bachelor’s in engineering, you will be creating many possible doors for your future. You’ll have the choice, if you go on to earn a master’s, to choose one of many concentrations, allowing you to specialize or branch out, all depending on where you’re interested in heading.
- If you have chosen a university that allows you to tailor your engineering degree program, you may have the opportunity to learn about a second field, such as teaching or entrepreneurship. Some of the best online engineering programs allow this kind of cross education and you may be able to attend an online engineering degree from anywhere.
- A bachelor’s is usually the entry-level degree for this field, meaning you should be able to find a position much more easily than you would with just an engineering associate degree. And you may be able to use any time spent at this level as transfer credits when you aim to earn a higher-level engineering technology degree, whether you earn that engineering degree online or not.
- Engineering degrees offer access to specialized careers, with lots of technical know-how behind them. Because of this, compensation for workers in these fields is very good, meaning you could be making plenty of money with a regular 4-5 year degree. However, this differs somewhat between the various fields, such as civil or computer engineering technology.
CONS
- The highest goal you may have set was to earn your bachelor’s from an electrical and computer engineering or electronics engineering technology program, or another similar field. But, after you begin to work in this field, you may become aware of some limitations to only having a bachelor’s. There are some real differences between a bachelor’s in engineering and a master’s in engineering, and it may turn out you need the second more than you originally thought you would.
- If you want to transition into a different engineering field, such as between electrical and computer engineering programs, you may need to earn another complete degree, whether that’s a master’s in that discipline or even a bachelor’s.
- You’ll likely need to earn certification as you move forward in your career. The PE or professional engineering license is practically expected for anyone who actually wants to work as an engineer. After several years in your career, you’ll know if you want to move into a leadership position. Without a master’s in engineering, that will be difficult.
- Additionally, those who earn their degrees through an online degree program might still need some courses so that they can gain hands-on experience. An online degree program in electrical engineering technology or industrial engineering technology cannot always give you the practical experience to jump right into a career.
Certificate Vs. Engineering Bachelor's
Should you go for an online engineering degree or certificates? Both will give you access to a good job. If you can’t afford a full, four-year degree, then a certificate may help you to find a position as an engineer. However, most certificates are relatively high level, meaning you might need to have a bachelor’s before you can earn them. For example, those who wish to earn a certificate in engineering management technology should already be versed in engineering technology basics. And some of them exist to help someone move into engineering, or a specific field of engineering, from a different field, such as those moving from computer science to software engineering.
Find Your Online Engineering Program
In a certificate program, you’ll realize that the courses don’t have a broad focus. Instead, they focus those skills you need for a particular engineering discipline, meaning to help you get into a position in that field specifically rather than teach you all about the technical aspects of engineering in general. Thus the need for certificate earners to already hold engineering degrees.
What Engineering Bachelor’s Degrees are Available Online?
In general, you usually expect to find either a bachelor of science (BS) or a bachelor of arts (BA) degree available from colleges and universities. However, because engineering is a technically complicated discipline, you’ll likely only find BS degrees available for engineering majors.
Below is a list of some of the engineering degrees available across the country:
- Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Earth Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Energy Engineering
Admission Requirements to Enter an Online Program
At many universities, admission requirements are higher for college of engineering students than they are for general admissions criteria used for other students. In some universities, incoming freshmen must be within the top 25% of their graduating class. Their SAT scores should be 1270/630 or scores for their ACT composite and English should be 26 and 24. If their class rank falls between 25% and 50%, SAT and ACT scores may be expected to be higher.
In high school, applicants should have completed social studies, English, physics, chemistry, and some form of higher level math: algebra, geometry, elementary analysis, or analytical geometry. Mechanical engineering majors are also required to have completed a course in mechanical drafting/drawing in tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grades.
Other than these differences, freshmen looking to enter an online engineering program will have to provide the same information as everyone else.
Admission requirements may include most or all of the following:
- Transcripts:
These include transcripts from your high school and any community college transcripts you may have - ACT/SAT scores:
Each school will decide on minimum scores - Letters of recommendation:
Colleges often require 1-3 of these, especially if you plan to enter a particularly difficult field of study - Statement of Purpose:
More exclusive colleges, with lower rates of acceptance, sometimes ask for these in order to help them make the decision on who they will admit and who they will not.
How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering?
Normally, a bachelor’s degree can be completed in approximately four years. However, a bachelor’s degree in engineering may take you longer to complete, depending on a variety of factors. Many engineering students take longer than the usual four-year period to finish their degrees.
If you want to finish as quickly as possible, you might consider taking 12 credits per semester and six in the summer. Following this schedule, you’ll complete 30 credits each academic year, which will allow you to finish your degree in four years. Most bachelor’s degrees are around 120 credits, but engineering degrees can be 130-150 depending on what kind of engineering you’re going for.
Potential Careers in Engineering with an Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Online
- Mechanical Engineer
As a mechanical engineer, you will take part in the planning and manufacturing of the products your employer designs and makes. Your duties will include development, design, and testing of new designs. You’ll be required to have a bachelor’s or master’s in mechanical engineering or a related degree in order to hold this position.
Average Annual Salary: $70,500 - Electrical Engineer
Your responsibilities in this position will include designing and implementing the components for all devices that use electricity to operate. Your main focus will be the generation of power to go through the device. You will be required to work in teams to get through the complex issues you face.
Average Annual Salary: $75,300 - Chemical Engineer
You’ll use your knowledge of chemical properties to create new solutions (cleaning solvents, lubricants, fuels, etc.) You may also be asked to examine and smooth out industrial processes by suggesting chemical systems. You may work for a firm that develops products that relate closely to chemical compounds.
Average Annual Salary: $74,200 - Materials Engineer
Your specialty in this position will be to conduct materials analysis. When you are given an assignment to study and analyze a material’s performance, you’ll help your team develop changes and corrections that achieve the desired result. You’ll also develop new products and fine tune the production and manufacturing processes.
Average Annual Salary: $75,000 - Civil Engineer
As a civil engineer, you will be responsible for helping to design and plan infrastructure construction projects. You may also be chosen to manage these projects, which include bridge or building repairs. Or you may be in charge of building a large project. You can expect to have the opportunity to work in more than one sector: transportation, structural, and environmental.
Average Annual Salary: $66,100
Salary by Occupation
| Occupations | Entry-Level | Mid-Career | Late-Career |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $58,200 | $75,000 | $98,300 |
| CAD Technician | $40,500 | $48,500 | $58,300 |
| Marine Engineer | $60,500 | $83,200 | $96,000 |
| Water Resources Engineer | $60,000 | $75,000 | $105,500 |
| Electrical Engineer | $66,900 | $84,600 | $110,500 |
| Construction Manager | $57,000 | $76,400 | $91,700 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $69,600 | $93,900 | $133,900 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $63,000 | $80,000 | $101,300 |
Options to Advance
Once you decide it’s time to advance in your engineering career, you’ll have several options for how to do so.
One of your first options is to enroll in certification classes. These help you to supplement what you learned during your undergraduate degree program. And, luckily, they aren’t too expensive. Even better, you won’t spend two or four years earning a certification—these classes tend to last less than a year. With a certification, you can branch out into another field of engineering, or gain the skills to move into management.
Another option is to return to school to earn your online master’s in engineering. By earning a higher degree, your salary will jump even more than it would with a certification. Knowing that most students who come to earn an master’s degree will be engineers who are continuing to work, schools of engineering often offer programs that allow you to balance your work life with your class obligations.
Find Online Engineering Schools
You may also choose to find a position which will offer you a higher salary without earning a certificate or your online master’s degree, based solely on your years of experience. However, this option is a bit more risky, as too many jumps from one position to another may look bad on your resume.
Colleges that Offer a Traditional Online Bachelor’s in Engineering
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Temple University
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaTemple University’s College of Engineering offers an interdisciplinary program giving students the opportunity to blend their chosen engineering major with other disciplines (i.e., electrical and mechanical). Students are able to choose from one of five concentrations, which helps them add more professional skills./p>
Degrees Offered:
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Civil Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Engineering, General – Bachelors & Doctorate Degrees
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Industrial Engineering – Bachelor’s Degree
- Mechanical Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
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Drexel University
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaDrexel University offers an engineering technology program focusing on multidisciplinary approaches. You’ll be ready for an application-oriented position in one of several fields including systems engineering, automation, field-service, manufacturing, or as a technical member of a team.
Degrees Offered:
- Architectural Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Chemical Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Civil Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Computer Engineering – Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees
- Computer Software Engineering – Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Engineering, General – Bachelor’s Degree & Undergraduate Certificate
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Materials Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Mechanical Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
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Trinity College
Hartford, ConnecticutThe Engineering Department at Trinity College works to offer a solid education in engineering. Trinity College offers a liberal arts environment so that students earn a well-rounded education, which allows them to make contributions to their community and society. Choose from one of four types of engineering degrees.
Degrees Offered:
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering – Bachelor’s Degree
- Computer Engineering – Bachelor’s Degree
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering – Bachelor’s Degree
- Engineering, General – Bachelor’s Degree
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, New YorkThe Rensselaer School of Engineering educates and trains future engineers so that they are fully prepared to tackle the technical challenges facing today’s society. Their programs offer technological excellence along with a top education, which allows students to enter successful careers.
Degrees Offered:
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Chemical Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Civil Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Engineering Physics/Applied Physics – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Engineering Science – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Industrial Engineering – Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees
- Materials Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Mechanical Engineering - Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Nuclear Engineering - Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
Search Programs Offering Engineering Majors
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University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MichiganThe University of Michigan College of Engineering offers a mechanical engineering degree, which requires all students in the program to complete 128 credits in several areas. This degree is academically challenging because of its intellectual offerings and courses specific to mechanical engineering. These are also technical electives to round out the student’s degree program. And if you’re not interested in mechanical engineering, check out the 15 other engineering options below.
Degrees Offered:
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Chemical Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Civil Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Computer Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Engineering Physics/Applied Physics – Bachelor’s Degree
- Engineering Science – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Engineering, General – Bachelor’s Degree
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Geological/Geophysical Engineering – Bachelor’s Degree
- Industrial Engineering – Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees
- Materials Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Mechanical Engineering - Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
- Nuclear Engineering – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctorate Degrees
Colleges that Offer Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering
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Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IndianaThe engineering technology management degree-completion program at Indiana State was created with transfer students in mind. These students should already hold an associate degree in either engineering technology or a closely related area. This degree gives students the tools they need to manage both technical and engineering professionals in the work world.
Degrees Offered:
- BS in Engineering Technology Management
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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, FloridaThis university offers rigorous education and training so that, when they graduate, students have strong problem-solving skills that will aid them with problematic projects. They also learn design skills and good engineering judgment. Students graduate with solid research experience and the basics in industry knowledge.
Degrees Offered:
- BS in Engineering Technology
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The University of Alabama
Gadsden, AlabamaThe University of Alabama engineering program provides an online engineering bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering to students. Because the program is mostly online, students will experience a minimum of job disruption or travel. This program offers a well-rounded degree in all areas of product manufacturing and machine design.
Degrees Offered:
- BS in Mechanical Engineering
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Arizona State University
Tempe, ArizonaAccredited by ABET, this online, engineering management degree program fits students who are interested in both engineering and business. On the engineering side, students gain a wide range of knowledge in engineering science and courses in engineering design, along with business analytics.
Degrees Offered:
- BS in Engineering Management
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Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VirginiaODU has offered online learning for more than 30 years. Its programs are traditional, but also look to the future as they welcome and educate students in their engineering degree programs. With top-notch advising and education, graduates are well-prepared to move into their first professional roles in engineering.
Degrees Offered:
- BS in Engineering Technology: with Specializations
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills do electrical engineers need?
The main skill that engineers of all kinds need is technical skill, math and physics skill, and knowledge. You’ll be going into a career where you must have an in-depth foundational knowledge first and foremost. On top of this, engineers must solve a lot of problems, and so they must have excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
What will my electrical engineering degree include?
You’ll spend most of your time learning the fundamental skills noted in the previous question. However, once you move past that, you’ll spend a great deal of time looking at the systems you will be working with and learning how they are applied in the real world.
Will it be easier to take classes for this degree online?
Despite the thought that online classes are easier than those taken in-person, this is simply not true any longer. Perhaps it’s because schools have gotten more skilled at using the online format or maybe it’s because they no longer only put the easiest classes online, but your online degree program is likely to be just as difficult as it would be if you took every class in person.
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