The 5 Best Master's in Electrical Engineering Online

A ranking of the best online master's in electrical engineering programs. Programs ranked by flexibility, affordability, and academic quality.

Updated November 8, 2022 · 3 Min Read

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The field of electrical engineering is a highly lucrative one with plenty of opportunities for advancement. Even those electrical engineers who hold a bachelors degree earn nearly six figures, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Practicing engineers who choose to pursue online masters electrical engineering programs like the ones evaluated in this ranking stand to make even more. These programs tend to be flexible in terms of both scheduling and curriculum, making it convenient for students to achieve their career goals. In this ranking, our editors examine the top 5 online master's in electrical engineering programs. For more general information regarding online learning visit our ranking of the top online colleges.

Rating and Ranking Methodology
Tuition Points:

  • Under $35,000—1 point
  • Under $30,000—2 points
  • Under $25,000—3 points
  • Under $20,000—4 points
  • Under $15,000—5 points
  • Under $10,000—6 points
  • Under $5,000—7 points

US News and World Report Recognition as a Top Online School for Master’s Engineering Programs

  • Top 10— 4 points
  • Top 25 —3 points
  • Top 50 —2 points
  • Top 75 —1 point

Customization Options

  • Format Customizations (e.g. Hybrid/Online, Full-time/Part-Time, Accelerated, Degree Completion, etc.)—1 Point Per Customization Option
  • Content Customizations (e.g. Minors, Concentrations, Specializations, etc.)—1 Point Per Customization Option (5-point cap)

Wow Factor

  • 1 point awarded for each unique feature or program that “wowed” us

In pursuit of the top 30 online master's programs in electrical engineering programs, our editors began with an initial pool of 44 schools. We were able to narrow these initial findings by applying an affordability filter, eliminating those schools with a tuition above $35,000 from the ranking. Finally, we used information from College Navigator and U.S. News & World Report as well as from each school's website to apply the rating and ranking methodology above. In cases of a tie, the most affordable programs appear higher in the rankings.

Featured Online Engineering Programs

#1 –North Carolina State University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Website

Points: 16

Topping our list of best master’s in electrical engineering online offerings, the online MS degree offered at North Carolina State University features seven different areas of specialization, including circuits, nanoelectronics and photonics, and communications. It also includes both thesis and non-thesis options. The coursework is delivered primarily asynchronously. Online students are given access to recordings of the on-campus lectures, as well as the same assignments that their on-campus counterparts receive. Students typically only take one or two courses at a time, and no on-campus residency is required, so it is convenient for students who work full-time to complete their electrical engineering MS degrees online without neglecting their jobs or home responsibilities.

In-State Tuition: $8,492

#2 –Purdue University

Online Master of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Website

Points: 16

Purdue University offers an online masters electrical engineering degree program that is designed to be exceptionally flexible, especially in terms of content and scheduling. Students create a highly-customized plan of study with the help of their advisor. They can choose between several focus areas, including power and energy systems, automatic control, and networking. The program also includes an interdisciplinary degree option and thesis and non-thesis options. A healthy work, life and school balance is highly encouraged, and online ms electrical engineering students are able to take time off from their studies if needed.

In-State Tuition: $9,208

#3 –Ohio University

Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Website

Points: 13

Ohio University is home to one of the few online masters electrical engineering programs that do not require prospective students to take the GRE or GMAT to be accepted, so long as they are otherwise qualified. It offers concentrations in six different areas, including autonomous unmanned vehicles and micro nano devices and systems, for example. Regardless of which concentration online ms electrical engineering students choose, they are given a comprehensive education in the core principles of electrical engineering that can be applied to a variety of systems and problems.

In-State Tuition: $9,444

#4 –University of Michigan – Dearborn

Online MSE in Electrical Engineering

Website

Points: 13

The University of Michigan – Dearborn offers its online MS electrical engineering program through the Rackham School of Graduate Studies. The program offers five different concentration options, and it can be completed entirely online, entirely on-campus, or via a hybrid format. Regardless of format, any in-person classes or synchronous coursework is offered in the evening or late afternoon to accommodate part-time students with jobs. Coursework includes a foundation of core courses, professional electives, and concentration courses. It is important to note that some online masters electrical engineering students may be required to also take preparatory courses if they are determined to have an inadequate background in computer or electrical engineering.

In-State Tuition: $11,712

#5 –Colorado State University

Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering

Website

Points: 12

Colorado State University’s online masters electrical engineering programs are designed to be easy to customize. Students can select from a large pool of offered courses that cover a wide range of topics. Topics of study include particle beam accelerator technology, optical properties of nanostructures, and high metrology techniques. Most students can earn their degree in only two years. Technically, this online master electrical engineering offering can be used as a stepping stone towards a doctoral program, but as these programs are not research-oriented, they may be more suitable for students planning to be practicing engineers.

In-State Tuition: $9,000

This concludes our ranking of the top 30 online master's in electrical engineering degree programs.

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