Top 10 Online Bachelor of Engineering Degrees

Engineering is a large scientific branch focused on the practical design and building of structures or machines. Web technology has made it possible for online students to earn their bachelor’s degree in engineering. Although some on-campus labs may be required, online engineering programs are primarily online for flexibility. Engineering is one of America’s most popular science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. Studying engineering online will make you marketable for jobs in various well-paid specialties. So to help you as you look for the educational foundation, work experience, and other qualifications for employment as an engineer, we’ve outlined the Top 10 Online Bachelor of Engineering Degrees in the United States.

To make our list, We began by researching the latest online education rankings published by the U.S. News and World Report. We looked for ranked colleges and universities with respected online bachelor’s degrees. Schools were narrowed down based on their availability of engineering education mainly online. All colleges had to be regionally accredited, but preference was given to those approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Average yearly undergraduate tuition was recorded based on the NCES’ College Navigator database. Other important factors were class size, specializations, lab learning, financial aid, job placement, transferability, and faculty credentials.

Featured Schools

Consider these Top 10 Online Bachelor of Engineering Degrees in your college search for greater convenience, quality academics, and affordability:

1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Endowed for $114 million, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a popular private, non-profit technical institution in Daytona Beach, Florida, that provides aviation education for over 30,600 students. Given a Forbes financial grade of B, Embry-Riddle is recognized for America’s #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by the U.S. News and World Report. Among them is a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology. This 122-credit online degree satisfies the requirements for taking the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Available concentrations include Aviation Safety, Helicopter Operations, Logistics Management, Transportation, and Unmanned Aerial Systems.

Tuition: $8,520

Learn more about Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Online Bachelor of Engineering Degrees here.

2. Arizona State University

Listed among the Princeton Review’s “Colleges That Create Futures,” Arizona State University enrolls over 82,000 students as a public, metropolitan RU/VH research institution in Tempe. The U.S. News and World Report named Arizona State University as the 62nd Top Public School and 1st Most Innovative School with the country’s 11th Top Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs. Aspiring engineers could pursue a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Management, or Software Engineering online. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited Fulton School of Engineering spreads the 120-credit curriculum over 10 terms with virtual, real-world simulation labs.

Tuition: $10,158 (in-state) or $25,458 (out-of-state)

Learn more about Arizona State University’s Online Bachelor of Engineering Degrees here.

3. Old Dominion University

Boasting over 124,000 alumni, Old Dominion University was founded in 1930 as a public, co-educational research institution in Virginia’s Hampton Roads area. Named a “Best Buy” on GetEducated.com, Old Dominion University is distinguished for having the 49th Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees Nationally by the U.S. News and World Report. The Batten College of Engineering offers six online concentrations for a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology. Students can focus on Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Mechanical Design, or Nuclear Systems. Each Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program leads to engineering licensure in Virginia.

Tuition: $9,480 (in-state) or $26,220 (out-of-state)

Learn more about Old Dominion University’s Online Bachelor of Engineering Degrees here.

4. Lamar University

With Southern Associatation of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation, Lamar University is a public, space-grant research institution educating over 14,900 students in Beaumont and online. Along with placing 245th nationally among public colleges in Forbes magazine, Lamar was recognized for the 58th Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees by the U.S. News and World Report. The College of Engineering provides a unique 2+2 Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering online for transfers. The 66-credit curriculum is delivered wholly online except a three-day lab in Southeast Texas. Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering majors can specialize in Manufacturing, Mechanical Reliability, or Operations Research.

Tuition: $8,002 (in-state) or $17,362 (out-of-state)

Learn more about Lamar University’s Online Bachelor of Engineering Degrees here.

5. American Military University

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, American Military University is a regionally accredited private, for-profit higher learning institution located in Charles Town, West Virginia, to educate around 55,000 active duty and veteran service members. As part of the American Public University System, American Military University is recognized for America’s 58th Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees. One notable online program is the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE). This 126-credit curriculum engages military in virtual lab instruction with concentrations for Mechatronic Systems or Electrical Communications. Online study culminates in a senior electrical design project.

Tuition: $6,880

Learn more about American Military University’s Online Bachelor of Engineering Degrees here.

6. University of Alabama

Located in Tuscaloosa along the Black Warrior River, the University of Alabama is a flagship public, space-grant research powerhouse serving over 37,000 students yearly. According to the U.S. News and World Report, the University of Alabama is the country’s 96th Best National University and 43rd Top Public School with the 164th Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees. Bama By Distance offers an Association Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME). Consisting of 128 credits, the program is primarily online with only three on-site, laboratory courses in Tuscaloosa, Dothan, or Gadsden.

Tuition: $10,170 (in-state) or $25,950 (out-of-state)

7. Eastern Kentucky University

Established in 1906, Eastern Kentucky University is a public, state-assisted teaching and research institution in Richmond that’s endowed for $54 million to educate over 16,500 students. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Eastern Kentucky University is the South’s 76th Best College and 35th Top Public School with the 63rd Best Online Bachelor’s nationally. Among the 40+ online majors is a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering. Holding Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and International Fire Services Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) accreditation, the program features accelerated, eight-week online sessions. Graduates understand how fire behaves to design effective prevention.

Tuition: $8,150 (in-state) or $17,640 (out-of-state)

Learn more about Eastern Kentucky University’s Online Bachelor of Engineering Degrees here.

8. National University

Enrolling over 24,400 students, National University is California’s second largest private, non-profit teaching institutions with a main campus in La Jolla and 28 national locations. Consistently named to GI Jobs magazine’s “Military Friendly Schools” list, National University is recognized by the U.S. News and World Report for the 114th Best Bachelor’s Degrees countrywide. The School of Engineering and Computing grants its Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Technology online. This 180-unit program covers the engineering principles applied in construction trades. Online courses from soil mechanics to CAD design culminate in an engineering senior project.

Tuition: $12,744

Learn more about National University’s Online Bachelor of Engineering Degrees here.

9. University of North Dakota

Nestled within the Red River Valley in Grand Forks, the University of North Dakota is the state’s flagship public, space-grant RU/H research institution with 14,900 students. Named the nation’s 116th Best Public College by Forbes, The University of North Dakota was distinguished for the 208th Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in the U.S. News and World Report survey. Online learners can complete an Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Petroleum Engineering. Each 134-credit track integrates online, recorded lectures with minimal on-campus labs.

Tuition: $7,965 (in-state) or $18,899 (out-of-state)

Learn more about the University of North Dakota’s Online Bachelor of Engineering Degrees here.

10. Stony Brook University

Belonging to the SUNY system, Stony Brook University is a premier public, sea-grant research institution located on Long Island’s North Shore to educate over 25,200 total students. Honored among Fiske Guide’s “Best Buys,” Stony Brook is ranked the 89th Best National University and 62nd Top Engineering School by the U.S. News and World Report. With Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation, there’s a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering available online. This upper-division, asynchronous program provides flexibility for learning to design electrical systems. Online courses are taught by PhD-level faculty from Stony Brook, Buffalo, and Binghamton.

Tuition: $8,855 (in-state) or $23,935 (out-of-state)

Learn more about Stony Brook University’s Online Bachelor of Engineering Degrees here.

Why Should I Get a Bachelor’s in Engineering Online?

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), enrollment in engineering programs spiked by 23 percent from 2008 to 2013. That’s excellent news because engineering occupies 13 spots on PayScale’s highest-paying bachelor’s majors. Engineering graduates glean average early-career salaries from $61,100 to $101,000.

Online engineering degrees can be the perfect fit for working, non-traditional students seeking technical training. Finishing a bachelor’s degree is considered paramount for succeeding in today’s rather competitive engineering market. The BLS reports that engineering occupations are projected to grow slowly by 6 percent through 2030. Students can improve their future marketability by studying in-demand specialties like environmental, civil, computer, petroleum, and biomedical engineering.

ABET accreditation tells you you can trust an online program. There are ABET accredited programs online in many specializations: