Top 7 Free Online Electrical Engineering Degrees 2025

The prospect of learning electrical engineering can be exciting, but doing so requires a lot of time and effort, particularly if you want a career as an electrical engineer. Fortunately, low-cost and free online courses from schools and sites like Coursera, edX, Udemy, and MIT OpenCourseWare (from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) can introduce fundamental and advanced electrical engineering concepts.

But what if you want to pursue an electrical engineering bachelor's degree? And what if you want to earn the degree online without breaking the bank? The good news is you can earn an electrical engineering degree online and free of charge (or at a reduced cost) at schools like North Dakota State University and the University of Michigan-Flint.

Below, we'll look at the top universities for earning a free or low-cost online electrical engineering degree. We'll also answer frequently asked questions about online electrical engineering degrees from standard-cost and free online colleges.

Free Online Electrical Engineering Degree Programs

Students who want to earn an affordable online electrical engineering degree can find great programs nationwide. Explore the list of schools below for more information about these learning options.

1. North Dakota State University

The 100% online Bachelor of Science (BS) in electrical engineering from North Dakota State University explores electrical equipment, electronics, and electricity. This program, accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, offers specializations in electromagnetics, communication and signal processing, power systems, and more.

NDSU helps many students save on tuition or potentially earn a free electrical engineering degree. The NDSU Tuition Award Program fully covers base tuition and mandatory student fees for Pell-eligible North Dakota and Minnesota students with family income levels of $80,000 or less. The Cultural Diversity Tuition Waiver (CDTW) pays up to the North Dakota undergraduate base tuition rate for underrepresented students.

2. University of Michigan�Flint

University of Michigan�Flint students can pursue the BS in electrical engineering on-campus, 100% online, or in a hybrid format. The program explores basic circuit analysis, electromagnetics, and digital systems through a mix of theory and hands-on learning experiences. Specializations are available in semiconductor manufacturing, computer vision and signal processing, embedded systems, and more.

The school's Go Blue Guarantee can help some students earn their degrees at zero cost. This free-tuition initiative covers full undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Michigan residents pursuing their first bachelor's degree. Students must have family incomes of $65,000 or less and assets below $50,000 to qualify.

3. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota offers an electrical engineering degree program that results in a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Engineering (MEng) degree. The 100% online accelerated program explores antenna theory, robotics fundamentals, and more. Enrollees can earn their bachelor's and master's degrees through this program in as few as four years.

UND scholarships are available to reduce tuition costs for eligible students. The National Merit Scholars program covers full tuition and mandatory student fees for a select National Merit Scholar Finalist or Semi-Finalist from North Dakota or Minnesota. New freshman scholarships provide up to $14,000 for high school graduates with qualifying GPAs and test scores.

4. Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University (or the State University of New York at Stony Brook) offers a two-year, upper-level online BS in electrical engineering for students with busy schedules. Rigorous coursework prepares enrollees for careers in machine learning, energy, signal processing, and control systems.

Full-time enrollees living in working in New York State who attend the State University of New York (SUNY) or the City University of New York (CUNY) schools could qualify for the Excelsior Scholarship Program. This scholarship lets eligible learners from families earning $125,000 or less attend Stony Brook University or another SUNY or CUNY school tuition-free.

5. West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University students can pursue a BS in electrical engineering completely online. This ABET-accredited program teaches engineering and computer science concepts like programming, electromagnetics, control systems, power electronics, and properties of electronic materials.

Students who enroll in the electrical engineering program might qualify for the Buff Promise program, which covers fall and spring in-state tuition. This program is available to full-time, Pell-eligible undergraduate Texas residents with an annual family income of $80,000 or less.

6. Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University offers an online BS in electrical engineering that prepares students for careers in cybersecurity, robotics, renewable energy, satellite communications, and beyond. Online courses explore electromagnetic field theory, power systems, signal processing, and telecommunications.

Eligible entering freshmen and community college transfers from economically challenging situations could qualify for the Mississippi State University Promise Program. This award bridges the gap between tuition costs and all other gift aid for the fall and spring semesters.

7. Bradley University

Bradley University's online BS in electrical engineering is ranked in the top 30 undergraduate engineering programs by U.S. News & World Report. This program offers online asynchronous courses that students can complete at their own pace. Learners explore autonomous robotics, digital system design, and more and get hands-on experience through intensive on-campus labs.

Enrollees might qualify for the Bradley Commitment, a program offering full tuition coverage for high-achieving Illinois residents who graduated from an Illinois high school with a GPA of 2.8 or higher. Students must be Pell-eligible, enrolled full-time, and have a family annual gross income of $65,000 or less to qualify.

FAQs About Online Electrical Engineering Degrees

Are you eager to earn an online electrical engineering degree? Review the following FAQs to learn more about these programs.

Are Online Electrical Engineering Degrees Respected?

Yes, online electrical engineering degrees are respected by most employers as long as they come from well-known institutions. When searching for online degrees, ensure they're accredited by agencies recognized by the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

How Much Does an Online Electrical Engineering Degree Cost?

Varying factors can impact the cost of an online electrical engineering degree. Some schools charge different rates based on enrollment status, residency, and degree type. For example, Stony Brook University charges $295 per credit for in-state online (and on-campus) undergraduate students and $353 per credit for out-of-state online students.

At the University of North Dakota, online students pay $611.75 per credit for the BS in electrical engineering program and $798.08 per credit for the MEng in electrical engineering program. These tuition rates are the same for all students regardless of residency.

What Can I Do With an Online Electrical Engineering Degree?

Earning an online electrical engineering degree can take you down several career paths; however, becoming an electrical engineer is common for degree holders. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for electrical and electronics engineers is projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033 making this a great career option. Other jobs for engineering students include:

• aeronautical engineer
• test engineer
• power systems engineer
• design engineer
• control engineer
• project engineer
• circuits engineer

Explore Online Electrical Engineering Courses and Degree Programs

Begin your journey toward a fulfilling electrical engineering career by exploring the degree programs offered by schools on Learn.org. Contact one of these colleges today to discover the steps you can take to start a rewarding career.