You may be intrigued by the challenge of understanding how things work, how to improve an object’s functionality, and how to push modern technology ever further. If so, there is an array of stimulating online bachelor’s degrees in engineering that might be perfect for you.
Are you motivated by opportunities for intellectual stimulation that also demand critical thinking skills, creativity, and advanced problem-solving?
If so, the colleges and universities listed below can launch your quest for a career in one of the many fulfilling and practical fields of engineering.
What Is an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering?
With an online bachelor’s degree in engineering, you can pursue a variety of career opportunities that will depend on the branch of engineering in which you choose to specialize. Choose from a career in the aerospace or nuclear field, more traditional chemical or electrical engineering, or consider a more emerging field like robotics or environmental engineering.
No matter the specific path you take, you’ll need to harness your creativity, learn new and exciting methods of problem-solving, and develop key critical thinking skills. Analytical thinking skills, partnered with the desire to test new innovation theories and learn key collaboration and leadership skills, are just a few of the academic pursuits that await you if you choose to earn an online engineering degree.
With any engineering program, you’ll commit to about four years of general academic study with a focus in the math and science areas. The second two years will concentrate your coursework to the type of engineering you choose and will include collaborations, projects, and interactive problem-solving.
How Much Can You Earn with an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering?
A bachelor’s degree in engineering can focus on a number of different specialties. Key engineering degree programs include civil engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, environmental, and nuclear engineering. Nearly all engineering degrees require a four-year bachelor’s degree, and median salaries typically start at around $80,000 annually and extend up to around $100,000 annually.
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, civil engineers fall on the lower end of the earnings spectrum, making a median income of about $87,060, while environmental engineers earned about $88,860 and mechanical engineers earned a median income of $88,430. Nuclear engineers and petroleum engineers rank on the higher earnings side of the industry, with nuclear engineers earning about $113,460 annually and petroleum engineers earning about $137,720. Salaries for electrical and electronics engineers fall predominantly in the middle of the career spectrum with median wages averaging about $101.250.
What Is Required for an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering?
Pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in engineering typically requires an associate degree in some applicable applied science, coupled with two years of specialized study in your chosen degree field. However, you can also apply to a full four-year engineering program with a high school transcript and appropriate SAT and/or ACT submissions.
Since nearly all engineering specialties are highly technical, science-based programs, most high school transcripts should include a full four years of college-preparatory science and math classes in addition to the core English and history requirements. A grade point average of 3.0 or better is recommended but not always required. Many engineering programs offer professional certifications and concentrations within the degree field.
What Are the Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program-specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program-specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.
