Are Online Engineering Degrees Respected?

Online engineering degrees that are earned through accredited institutions with good reputations are well respected by employers and other colleges and universities.

There are many legitimate online engineering degrees, and some of the most popular areas of study are:

• mechanical engineering
• electrical engineering
• software engineering
• engineering management

Do Employers Respect Online Engineering Degrees?

Employers respect online engineering degrees from an accredited school that prepares students for engineering jobs through high-quality bachelor's and master's degree programs in STEM.

Engineering grads who earn an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)-accredited engineering degree can lead in innovation and emerging technologies and become qualified candidates for advanced roles.

What To Look For in an Online Engineering Program

Engineering students should search for accreditation, course offerings, and the reputation of an accredited institution before starting online classes.

Accreditation

Prospective students must seek a college or university that is an accredited institution to receive a high-quality online education and benefits such as financial aid options.

Choosing an ABET-accredited online engineering degree program is also important if you are interested in the engineering field.

Accredited online engineering degree programs are legitimate and focus on preparing students for a graduate degree program or an entry-level or advanced employment position.

Type of Engineering Program

When researching your options, it's important to consider the types of engineering programs offered at the school. Generally, schools with more diverse course offerings within the field of engineering, or schools awarded accreditation or recognition for a specific school of engineering, may be more respected by future employers.

There are many types of online bachelor's degrees in engineering and online master's programs in engineering. Consider colleges that offer programs such as:

• civil engineering
• computer engineering
• electrical engineering
• general engineering
• mechanical engineering

Other examples of an engineering degree online include industrial engineering, chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, and engineering technology.

Some colleges like Northeastern University and Liberty University offer online students combined majors such as electrical and computer engineering and industrial and systems engineering.

Course Offerings

Legitimate online engineering degrees will offer courses in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Many engineering programs offer concentration or specialization options for students seeking to focus their degree on specific engineering courses.

Some colleges offer fully online courses and other online schools require you to earn your engineering degree in a hybrid format that involves on-campus or internship requirements.

Reputation

Find an online engineering degree program at an online school with a good reputation. You can research a college's reputation through its rankings, student reviews, and more.

The reputation of an accredited institution is important because it gives you an idea of what you are going to put your money and time into.

Graduation Rates

Graduation rates are important because they provide information on how many students completed a bachelor's degree on time.

A high graduation rate gives prospective students the confidence to start and complete their degree. A high graduation rate may also mean that a college has minimum graduation requirements.

Differences Between Online and In-Person Engineering Degree Programs

Online engineering degree programs typically follow the same curriculum as in-person engineering degree programs. Additionally, fully online degree programs may provide alternative coursework to satisfy the requirements of an on-campus degree.

While online learning typically involves hands-on learning experiences, students can often gain a similar understanding through simulations, internship opportunities, and more.

Career Paths for an Online Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Career paths for an online bachelor's degree in engineering include:

• architect
• computer hardware engineer
• mechanical engineer
• environmental engineer
• software engineer
• civil engineer
• aerospace engineer

Featured Online Colleges with Engineering Degrees

Review some of the best online colleges with engineering degrees below.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers six bachelor's degree programs in engineering that are available in an online learning format. The six undergraduate engineering degree programs include:

• BS in mechanical engineering
• BS in electrical engineering
• BS in software engineering
• BS in biomedical engineering
• BS in electrical engineering - electric power and energy systems
• BS in engineering management
• Exploratory math, physical sciences, engineering, and technology

According to US News, engineering is one of the top majors at ASU and is ranked 34 out of 208 undergraduate engineering programs.

Most of the engineering degree programs are accredited by ABET, the Engineering Accreditation Commission.

2. Florida International University

There are two online undergraduate engineering degree programs available at Florida International University. Tuition is $235.57 to $648.87 per credit hour based on the state you reside in.

Course offerings include:

• BS in computer engineering
• BS in electrical engineering

The Bachelor of Science in computer engineering degree program includes courses such as computer design, programming embedded systems, and discrete mathematics.

The Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering degree program consists of courses in circuit analysis and lab, logic design, and more.

3. National University

National University provides several online engineering degree programs including:

• BS in electrical and computer engineering
• BS in manufacturing design engineering technology
• Master of Science (MS) in engineering management

The cost of tuition starts at the affordable rate of $370 per credit hour and goes up to $1,665 per credit hour depending on the course level.

Other technology degree programs taught online include studies in construction management, data science, computer science, and cybersecurity.

4. Pennsylvania State University, World Campus

Penn State World Campus offers an online BS in software engineering degree program for students interested in computer programming, mathematics, and more.

The BS in software engineering degree program costs $632 to $678 per credit hour depending on how many college credits you have and full-time or part-time enrollment.

The program requires students to complete 126 credit hours of courses such as computer programming, software security, probability and statistics, and more.

5. Southern New Hampshire University

SNHU has a high acceptance rate of 89% and offers its engineering degree programs in an online format using online course materials and more.

This online university offers the following degrees at $330 per credit hour:

• BS in computer science
• BS in game programming and development

There are four concentration options in the computer science degree program. The four concentrations include:

• data analysis
• project management
• information security
• software engineering