Best Online Degrees in: Electrical Engineering

Editor's Picks: Online Schools for Electrical Engineering

Value
Stony Brook University is the winner of the best online electrical engineering bachelor's degree for value. It is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as No. 54 on its list of the top national public universities. In addition, PayScale.com ranks Stony Brook University as No. 88 on its list of best higher education institutions for value. In-state students can expect a return on investment (ROI) of 10.7% without financial aid and 12.0% with financial aid, while out-of-state students can expect an ROI of 9.5% without financial aid and 10.4% with financial aid.

Flexibility
Stony Brook University is committed to providing flexible education options for students that work and have family obligations. It therefore offers online degrees, which can easily fit into students' daily schedules. In addition, student reviews on College Prowler rank Stony Brook University as having a B+ for campus strictness. It is therefore our winner of the best online electrical engineering bachelor's degree for flexibility.

Career Support
The University of North Dakota is ranked No. 3 on U.S. News & World Report‘s list of the best schools for student services and technology. It provides extensive career services, including career placement assistance, career fairs, job and internship searches, and alumni career services. As a result, it is our winner of the best online electrical engineering bachelor's degree for career support.

Financial Support
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the University of North Dakota awards 88% of its first-time, full-time students with some form of financial aid. An astonishing 52% of undergraduate students receive scholarships or grants at UND. The University of North Dakota's commitment to providing tuition assistances to its students makes it our winner for the best online electrical engineering bachelor's degree for financial support.

Technology Support
Ranked No. 3 on U.S. News & World Report‘s list of the best colleges and universities for student services and technology, the University of North Dakota is the winner of best technology support. It provides its students with live streaming video and a smartphone app. In addition, its tech support website offers information for blackboard help, application support, and live assistance with technological problems. Students also have the option of submitting an online help ticket.

Student Engagement
The University of North Dakota is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as No. 73 on its list of the best schools for student engagement and assessment. To keep students involved in their education, faculty members track student sign-ins to the class websites and hold weekly office hours. The University of North Dakota is therefore the winner of the best online electrical engineering bachelor's degree for student engagement.

Disability Support
Stony Brook University works hard to provide an inclusive environment for all students, and is therefore our winner of best disability support. Its website provides services and resources for students with disabilities. In addition, it has information about students' rights and online forms that students can use.

Library and Research Support
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has extensive library services, many of which are available through its website. Students can search articles and journals, read information about new books, and stay up-to-date on library news. The University of Charlotte library also has specific librarians for many subjects and majors, and can be reached through phone, email, and various social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter.

Learning Support
The best online electrical engineering bachelor's degree for learning support is offered by the University of North Dakota, which is ranked No. 3 on U.S. News & World Report‘s list of the best schools for student services and technology. The University of North Dakota provides students with live tutoring options, streaming video, a math center, and a writing center. All of this helps to ensure that any student who needs help can get it, even if they're not on campus.

Faculty Credentials
Stony Brook University is the winner of the best online electrical engineering bachelor's degree for faculty credentials. According to U.S. News & World Report, 90% of its online faculty members have been teaching online classes for two or more years. Online instructors are also required to receiving training in teaching online classes, which the university funds. This ensures that all online instructors are well-versed in how to use Internet technology to offer students the best possible learning experience.

Faculty Accessibility
The best electrical engineering school for faculty accessibility is the University of North Dakota. According to U.S. News & World Report, faculty members hold three office hours weekly, and also respond to student emails within 48 hours. The student-to-faculty ratio is also kept low, averaging 22-to-1, according to National Center for Education Statistics, which helps instructors pay attention to students' individual needs.

Alumni Engagement
The award for the best online electrical engineering bachelor's degree goes to the University of North Dakota. It has multiple alumni chapters, and alumni members are also awarded with services and benefits. In addition, there are alumni publications, and the website provides students with University of North Dakota news and information on featured alumni.

Explore a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineers design and develop equipment for electronics, including electric motors, machinery controls, and radar, navigation, power, and communications systems. They work with a team of electrical engineers and with clients to analyze the required function of the electronic device they are to design, prototype and build the device through CAD software, and test and develop electronic devices before the manufacturing. Electrical engineers must communicate and work well with a team. They require an extensive background in calculus and other advanced mathematics, and must be able to adapt for different clients and projects.

Class Curriculum

Electrical engineering requires a background in natural science, mathematics, and computer science. Advanced course work will consist of design, computer, and laboratory work. Introductory course work may include chemistry, computer science, linear algebra, calculus, physics, and corresponding laboratory course work. Major-specific course work will consist of electronic circuits, computer architecture, electromagnetic engineering, digital signal processing, wireless communication, and computer network course work.

• Linear Algebra.Linear algebra covers matrices, vectors, linear systems of equations, and linear transformations and matrix representations through lecture and laboratory course work. Linear algebra is applicable in physics, economics, social sciences, and natural sciences, as well as in engineering.
• Electronic Circuits. An introductory electronic circuits course will introduce the modeling, analysis, and design of circuits and electronics through circuit models of sources, resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and transistors. Students learn the vocabulary, tools, and basic procedures of electrical engineering.
• Electromagnetic Engineering. Electromagnetic engineering covers electromagnetism in modern applications like wireless and optical communications, circuits, computer peripherals, microwave communication and radar, antennas, sensors, and power generation and transmission. Electromagnetic engineering serves as a prerequisite to wireless communication and digital signal processing course work.

Engineering assignments will familiarize students with professional practices and problems to familiarize students with procedures and professional analysis through reading assignments. Reading assignments may correspond with related problem sets. Projects and presentations may run throughout a course's structure, and papers may be assigned on current professional practices or problems in electrical engineering.

Building a Career

The median annual wage of electrical engineers is $84,540, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also reports that employment for electrical and electronics engineers is expected to increase by 14%. Wages and employment are not guaranteed, as they are affected by employer, experience, location, position, and other factors.

Electrical engineers working in companies contracted with the government at all levels are encouraged to obtain licensure, which requires a degree from an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and a passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) exam. Electrical engineers that have gained work experience may advance to management positions to supervise a team of engineers and technicians. Advancement may also require a graduate level degree.