Best Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering
An online master’s in electrical engineering can give you an edge in management or design. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9% job growth for electrical engineers through 2033, and a graduate degree can lead to higher salaries. A master’s is also often required in fields like wireless communications, robotics, and photonics.
Featured Online Schools
Choosing a Program
You can look forward to fascinating coursework and concentrations for a master’s in electrical engineering program. Sample classes include embedded systems design and architecture, digital signal processing, power system dynamics, advanced robotics, renewable energy integration, and solid state electronics. Most programs offer thesis and non-thesis degree paths comprising 30-36 units of coursework, including six to 12 credits of electives and independent study. Business professionals focused on management and practical aspects of engineering may elect to pursue a non-thesis path.
Specializations available include systems and information processing, wireless communication systems and technology, microwave, antenna, and photonic systems, signal processing and communications, electronic circuits and systems, electromagnetics, and photonics. Master’s programs are typically flexible and tailored toward working professionals. Many courses are taught early in the morning or late in the afternoon to allow students working in the industry to attend.
Other available options include GRE waivers for eligible applicants, customized degree plans, and opportunities to complete coursework in related departments, such as physics, computer science, mathematics, or aerospace engineering. Some schools maintain membership in regional consortiums, and agree to accept transfer credits from affiliated schools for up to half of the required coursework. Exceptional undergraduates can also pursue accelerated programs in which they earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering Degree Program Ranking Guidelines
We selected the degree programs based on the quality of program and range of courses provided, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation.
The Best Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering Degree Programs
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,477
- Out-of-state$25,694
- In-State$10,770
- Out-of-state$27,335
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate37%
- Students Enrolled52,407
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
Stanford University
- Stanford, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$52,857
- Out-of-state$52,857
- In-State$52,479
- Out-of-state$52,479
- Retention Rate99%
- Acceptance Rate4%
- Students Enrolled17,249
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment5%
- AccreditationYes
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
- Raleigh, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,535
- Out-of-state$26,654
- In-State$9,095
- Out-of-state$26,421
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate45%
- Students Enrolled36,304
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Minneapolis, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,318
- Out-of-state$31,616
- In-State$17,580
- Out-of-state$27,204
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled51,327
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment30%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University-Main Campus
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,208
- Out-of-state$28,010
- In-State$9,208
- Out-of-state$28,010
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled45,500
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment22%
- AccreditationYes
Johns Hopkins University
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$55,350
- Out-of-state$55,350
- In-State$55,350
- Out-of-state$55,350
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate11%
- Students Enrolled27,079
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Worcester, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$51,604
- Out-of-state$51,604
- In-State$28,188
- Out-of-state$28,188
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate49%
- Students Enrolled6,894
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- Atlanta, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,258
- Out-of-state$31,370
- In-State$14,064
- Out-of-state$29,140
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate21%
- Students Enrolled36,302
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- Cincinnati, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,476
- Out-of-state$24,810
- In-State$12,790
- Out-of-state$24,532
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled39,263
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
- Stillwater, OK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,366
- Out-of-state$20,877
- In-State$5,531
- Out-of-state$21,034
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled24,079
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Rolla, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,120
- Out-of-state$27,921
- In-State$10,452
- Out-of-state$29,558
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled8,088
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment22%
- AccreditationYes
University of Idaho
- Moscow, ID
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,182
- Out-of-state$25,418
- In-State$7,754
- Out-of-state$26,990
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled11,926
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Arizona State University-Tempe
- Tempe, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,710
- Out-of-state$28,800
- In-State$11,720
- Out-of-state$26,160
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled53,286
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Clarkson University
- Potsdam, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$49,858
- Out-of-state$49,858
- In-State$33,312
- Out-of-state$33,312
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled4,301
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment17%
- AccreditationYes
Drexel University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$52,146
- Out-of-state$52,146
- In-State$35,181
- Out-of-state$35,181
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled24,205
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering Careers
Graduates of electrical engineering master’s programs may work in research and development, nanotechnology, robotics, consulting, semiconductors, navigation systems, biomedical systems, physics, circuit design, aviation, or technical sales. In later career stages, some graduates advance to supervisory positions and become licensed as professional engineers, which offers them greater independence in decision making.
- Electrical engineer: Electrical engineers design and implement components for electrical equipment, instruments, facilities, systems, or products, such as motors or radar systems. They research, develop, test, and improve electrical devices, prepare technical specifications and drawings to meet established standards, and supervise installation, maintenance, manufacturing, and testing of electrical equipment to ensure proper compliance with regulations.
- Median Annual Salary: $109,010
- Projected Growth Rate: 9%
- Sales engineer: Technical sales engineers demonstrate and sell technically complex products and services to businesses, such as tools, devices, and machinery. They use their engineering expertise and extensive, detailed knowledge of their products’ technical specifications to research and identify potential clients, understand their needs, and present products in persuasive, convincing ways.
- Median Annual Salary: $116,950
- Projected Growth Rate: 6%
- Engineering manager: Engineering managers plan, implement, and maintain procedures for the design, development, installation, testing, and maintenance of electrical equipment. They direct engineering teams, ensuring that projects are properly staffed and production plans are coordinated. They review and improve manufacturing processes, prepare budgets, and consult with marketing and production to develop product specifications.
- Median Annual Salary: $165,370
- Projected Growth Rate: 6%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
