Why This Matters

  • ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT JOBS UP 2%

    As the need to improve and expand existing infrastructure grows, so will the demand for engineers with management skills to oversee these important, large-scale projects.

  • 36K NEW CONSTRUCTION MANAGER JOBS EXPECTED

    Job prospects are also good for engineering management students who concentrate in construction management. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8% job growth in this field by 2031.

  • EARN AN AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY OF $152,350

    Engineering managers are among the top earners in the U.S. Having a master’s degree can help qualify you for lucrative positions in research, development, and manufacturing.

Our Research

This list features some of the best online Master’s in Engineering Management programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. Many of the schools on our list have been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of engineering and tech-related programs.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online Master’s in Engineering Management programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The Top 53 Master’s in Engineering Management Programs

Best Master's in Engineering Management Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
University of South Florida
01
Most Affordable
University of Central Florida
01
Best Private Institution
The George Washington University
01
Best Public Institution
Arkansas State University
01
Most Customizable Program
University of Arizona
01
Best Faculty
Stanford University
01
Most Innovative Curriculum
University of Southern California
01
Best Part-time Program
Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals
01
Best for Adult Learners
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
01
Most Flexible Admissions
Iowa State University
01

Louisiana Tech College of Engineering and Science
01

University of Kansas
01

Purdue Engineering
01

University of Michigan at Dearborn
01

Old Dominion University
01

CSUN Tseng College
01

Lamar University
01

University of Houston at Clear Lake
01

UMass Amherst
01

National University
01

Penn State World Campus
01

University of Alabama at Birmingham
01

Ohio University
01

Oklahoma State University
01

Kettering University
01

Kansas State University
01

Colorado State University
01

University of Idaho
01

Olivet Nazarene University
01

MIT System Design & Management
01

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
01

Trine University
01

The University of Texas at Austin
01

Rowan University Global Learning and Partnerships
01

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
01

University of Louisville
01

University of Colorado Colorado Springs
01

University of New Haven
01

The University of Texas at Arlington
01

Texas Tech University
01

Washington State University
01

Drexel University
01

Temple University
01

Lawrence Technological University
01

University of Arkansas
01

University of New Orleans
01

Florida International University
01

Robert Morris University
01

Arizona State University
01

UCLA Samueli

What You Should Know About This Degree

Traditionally, a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) has been the sought-after degree for individuals seeking to move into management roles. An MBA teaches advanced business skills in areas like budgeting and finance, leadership, and ethics, usually for students who already have a business degree or experience. MS and MEM programs teach many of the same concepts, but with an engineering orientation. Your experience and career goals will help inform which type of degree you should pursue.

Although overall job growth in engineering and management is expected to be steady through 2031, there are some areas in which employment is expected to be relatively slow. Due to an increase in automation and outsourcing, employment of industrial production managers will only grow by three percent over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When considering your career trajectory, take a look at job trends to help determine what educational path is right for you.

Many of the programs on our list are offered online, but it’s important to check if they have any in-person requirements, such as orientations, residencies, or final presentations. Some programs may require students to visit campus as an opportunity for networking and face-to-face interaction, which are valuable components of graduate education. Make sure to carefully review the program’s curriculum, and confirm that you can attend any mandatory campus visits.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching master’s in engineering management programs:

  • Does this program offer concentrations or certificates? Students who choose to specialize in a particular area of engineering management should look for programs that offer concentrations or certificates. Common areas of concentration in this field include logistics and supply chain management, construction management, and quality management.
  • What are the qualifications for admission? Most engineering management graduate programs expect students to have backgrounds in engineering, business, or a closely related STEM field. Eligibility requirements may include a bachelor’s degree, undergraduate coursework, and/or professional experience. Be sure to review the program’s admissions requirements so that you select a program for which you are qualified.

As you research programs, also look at their application procedures and deadlines. You want to be sure that you have the necessary application materials, including standardized test scores, prepared well in advance of submission deadlines. This information is typically available on the school’s website or through their admissions office.

Financing your graduate education is another important consideration. You should explore your options for financial aid, scholarships, assistantships, and employer tuition benefits.