Why This Matters

  • CHOOSE FROM OVER 11 DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS

    Electrical engineering is vital to a variety of diverse industries. Earning a master’s degree can prepare engineers to work in telecommunications, military and defense, consumer electronics, and more.

  • 9K NEW ELECTRICAL ENGINEER JOBS EXPECTED

    As more companies develop systems and products using electronics, the demand for electrical engineers is expected to rise 5 percent through 2028, as fast as the average for all occupations in the same time frame.

  • INCREASE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL BY $44,120

    Having a master’s degree can lead to higher-level management jobs, which have an annual median wage of $140,760. Electrical engineers, who only need a bachelor’s degree, earn an annual average salary of $96,640.

Our Research

We focused our research on master’s degrees in electrical engineering. The most common graduate degree in this field is a Master of Science (MS).

We also specifically sought degree programs that can be completed fully or partially online. Many programs give students the option to complete their degree through a combination of online and on-campus coursework, while others are delivered totally online.

All of the schools on our list have regional accreditation, which means they meet high standards of quality in higher education. Many programs are also accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, a specialized program accrediting body.

Once we found the programs that fit our criteria, we evaluated them on their outcomes, reputation, cost, flexibility, and faculty. We then assigned each program an Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Our top picks for the best online master’s in electrical engineering are well-regarded, cost-effective, and customizable. (For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.)

  • 66 hours to write this article
  • 190 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 424 education programs we compared

The Top 40 Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering

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What You Should Know About This Degree

While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum level of education needed to pursue an electrical engineering career, a master’s degree can lead to more skilled positions, including those in management. However, those who are looking to obtain leadership roles within the engineering industry may want to consider programs that focus on business and management, such as a Master of Business in Administration. When researching programs, consider your career goals, and what type of education will best prepare you for those jobs.

Because master’s in electrical engineering programs focus on advanced technical and theoretical knowledge, most programs require students to have an undergraduate degree and possibly professional experience in electrical engineering. Students who have a related background may be required to complete a bridge program to fulfill prerequisites before enrolling in the program.

As electrical engineers move into high-level or leadership positions, they are typically required to obtain a Professional Engineering (PE) license. PE licenses are awarded at the state level, and each state sets its own standards for licensure, although they typically include a degree from an ABET-accredited program, supervised work experience, and the successful completion of exams.

Overall, the job outlook for electrical engineers is good through 2028. However, particular areas of the field like electronics engineering are expected to decline due to outsourcing and automation.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Online Master’s in Electrical Engineering programs:

  • Does this program offer the specialization that I want? Electrical engineering is a broad field with many opportunities for specialization in areas like telecommunications, computer engineering, electromagnetics, and more. Many programs allow students to specialize through electives or certificates. If there is an area in which you wish to specialize, be sure to choose a program that offers that option.
  • How are courses delivered? Even if coursework is delivered online, synchronous classes still require attendance on specific days and times. If you need more flexibility, seek out a program with asynchronous classes. In these types of courses, students can access lessons and assignments on their own time.

As you research programs, be sure to take note of their admissions requirements and application deadlines. This will help you gather your materials and stay on track to meet deadlines, ensuring a smooth admissions process.

You will also want to start thinking now about how you will fund your graduate degree. Research institutional aid like scholarships, assistantships, grants, and loans, as well as funding from outside sources, including your employer, if you’re currently working.