Best Accelerated Engineering Degree Programs

Engineers design and build things that improve our lives. With an accelerated engineering degree, you can enter this field quickly.

Accelerated degrees can save a year or more of study time, usually requiring about 120 credits and costing about the same as a traditional program.

Explore this page to learn more about accelerated engineering degrees, top-ranked programs, and career outlooks.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Completion times differ for every program, but you can finish an accelerated degree in engineering with 120 credits in 2-3 years. While standard programs feature 14- to 16-week sessions, accelerated programs feature condensed sessions of eight weeks or fewer.

The number of courses you take at once in an accelerated engineering degree program varies depending on the session length. If you enroll in an eight-week session, you may need to take 4-5 courses at once to graduate in less than three years. Some colleges suggest that you spend two hours studying for every hour spent in class per week.

While the program structure and pace should be top of mind when choosing between accelerated programs, there are several other factors to consider, as well. The program cost, accreditation, and location should all play an important role in your decision.

Most prospective students go through a cost comparison process when choosing a school and program. You can compare online and on-campus costs, private vs. public school prices, and in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.

While accelerated programs may not feature much difference in tuition prices, the workload can affect your ability to work and study at the same time.

Program format determines how you take classes and how often. In standard programs, you can choose between synchronous and asynchronous delivery and full-time and part-time studies. In an online accelerated bachelor’s degree, however, you study full-time in asynchronous courses for maximum flexibility.

Choosing online or on-campus studies can alter how you value the school location. As an online student, you still need to consider how location might impact you, especially when the program has residency requirements.

You may want to visit the campus for special events, facility usage, and graduation as well.

You should ensure that your institution of choice holds college accreditation. Programmatic accreditation for engineering programs comes from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Accreditation can have an impact on education funding, employment, and postgraduate credentials.

Student services provide support for students in many aspects of their experience inside and outside the classroom. Most online colleges provide online student services that rival any on-campus program, so you should not expect less.

In addition to traditional career services and academic support, you might look for college mentorships and internship programs.

The field of engineering is broad and features a number of different subspecialties, each one requiring a different skillset and educational background. With a bachelor’s degree, there are a number of engineering jobs you can obtain.

The job outlook for engineering jobs is strong. Many engineering occupations offer competitive pay and are expected to grow significantly over the next decade.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for architecture and engineering jobs was $91,420 in May 2023, nearly two times the median U.S. wage ($48,060). The BLS projects that architecture and engineering jobs will grow faster than the average for all occupations between 2023-2033, with an addition of 195,000 new jobs.

These factors, in addition to the field’s importance and flexibility, make engineering one of the most popular college majors.

Fast-tracking to a degree might seem attractive. However, consider if an accelerated degree suits you. These degrees are quick and demanding, requiring intense study.

Ultimately, if your goal is to enter the workforce as quickly as possible, and you feel you can manage the workload, an accelerated engineering degree may be the best fit for you.

Keep in mind that accelerated programs are not as common as traditional four-year degrees. This may limit your school and specialization choices. In contrast, traditionally-paced online programs may offer more choices and provide more flexible schedules.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.