Online Master’s in Engineering Programs
Engineering combines creativity with technical know-how to solve complicated problems. Engineers help design technology or manufacturing that improves the health and safety of a community. Or, they can create new products that make life easier. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual salary of $79,840 for engineers and architects as of May 2021, though some engineering fields report much higher wages.
A master’s in engineering degree can enhance job opportunities, offer specialized study, or prepare people for management roles. These programs require 1-2 years of study. An online master’s in engineering allows engineers to advance their education while continuing their careers. Find the best engineering master’s program to reach your goals.
Accredited Online Master’s in Engineering Programs
Arizona State University
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,867
- Out-of-state$19,282
- In-State$6,384
- Out-of-state$6,384
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled45,073
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- AccreditationYes
Case Western Reserve University
- Cleveland, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$50,450
- Out-of-state$50,450
- In-State$46,524
- Out-of-state$46,524
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate27%
- Students Enrolled11,874
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment8%
- AccreditationYes
Colorado State University
- Fort Collins, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,426
- Out-of-state$28,147
- In-State$10,520
- Out-of-state$25,791
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled33,426
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$6,400
- Out-of-state$13,141
- In-State$6,592
- Out-of-state$13,333
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled11,510
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment17%
- AccreditationYes
Michigan Technological University
- Houghton, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$16,834
- Out-of-state$36,688
- In-State$20,511
- Out-of-state$20,511
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled7,027
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
Mississippi State University
- Mississippi State, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,800
- Out-of-state$23,840
- In-State$8,800
- Out-of-state$23,840
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate54%
- Students Enrolled22,226
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment18%
- AccreditationYes
North Carolina State University
- Raleigh, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,535
- Out-of-state$26,654
- In-State$9,095
- Out-of-state$26,421
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate45%
- Students Enrolled36,304
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
Northeastern University Lifelong Learning Network
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$29,298
- Out-of-state$29,298
- In-State$24,933
- Out-of-state$24,933
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled11,857
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
Ohio State University
- Columbus, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,197
- Out-of-state$31,174
- In-State$11,560
- Out-of-state$35,144
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate54%
- Students Enrolled61,391
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
Ohio University
- Athens, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,612
- Out-of-state$22,406
- In-State$9,444
- Out-of-state$17,436
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled27,367
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
Old Dominion University
- Norfolk, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,029
- Out-of-state$26,664
- In-State$10,207
- Out-of-state$29,851
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled23,675
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
South Dakota State University
- Brookings, SD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,697
- Out-of-state$11,172
- In-State$8,083
- Out-of-state$15,541
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled11,512
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
Texas A & M University
- College Station, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,941
- Out-of-state$34,190
- In-State$6,677
- Out-of-state$18,700
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled68,726
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,568
- Out-of-state$20,400
- In-State$8,100
- Out-of-state$19,188
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled22,080
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Huntsville, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,730
- Out-of-state$22,126
- In-State$10,632
- Out-of-state$24,430
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled9,988
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
University of Arizona
- Tucson, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,990
- Out-of-state$33,273
- In-State$11,938
- Out-of-state$32,065
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled44,577
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
University of Arkansas
- Fayetteville, AR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,568
- Out-of-state$24,056
- In-State$7,752
- Out-of-state$21,032
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled27,559
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
University of California-Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,442
- Out-of-state$41,196
- In-State$11,442
- Out-of-state$26,544
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate12%
- Students Enrolled44,371
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment5%
- AccreditationYes
University of California-Riverside
- Riverside, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,442
- Out-of-state$41,196
- In-State$11,442
- Out-of-state$26,544
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled25,547
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment6%
- AccreditationYes
University of Colorado Boulder
- Boulder, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,728
- Out-of-state$34,930
- In-State$11,826
- Out-of-state$31,284
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled37,883
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment11%
- AccreditationYes
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- Colorado Springs, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,284
- Out-of-state$20,082
- In-State$13,912
- Out-of-state$24,438
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled12,807
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$7,920
- Out-of-state$24,408
- In-State$6,786
- Out-of-state$22,590
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled24,910
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
University of Illinois at Chicago
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,924
- Out-of-state$26,224
- In-State$13,276
- Out-of-state$23,850
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled32,324
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment24%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maryland-College Park
- College Park, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,824
- Out-of-state$34,936
- In-State$13,158
- Out-of-state$29,250
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate44%
- Students Enrolled40,743
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
- Platteville, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,418
- Out-of-state$14,268
- In-State$7,640
- Out-of-state$16,771
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled8,271
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment18%
- AccreditationYes
Youngstown State University
- Youngstown, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,705
- Out-of-state$9,065
- In-State$6,058
- Out-of-state$9,058
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled12,110
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment37%
- AccreditationYes
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How We Selected These Schools
In order to create our directory list of online master’s in engineering programs, the BestColleges Rankings Team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified 26 schools that qualify for our alphabetical list based on the following criteria.
- Each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution.
- Must offer a master’s degree program in the given subject.
- Must submit an annual report to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Review our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more about the standards we uphold.
Popular Online Engineering Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Engineering Programs
Is a master’s in engineering worth it?
Yes. A master’s in engineering prepares professional engineers to advance their careers and explore leadership or managerial roles. Engineers can also gain expertise in a specialty area, like robotics or aerospace engineering. An engineering master’s can also provide a pathway to a new career.
But graduate school does come with a cost. Students with a master’s degree owe an average of $71,000 in student debt. Engineering offers strong career opportunities with high earning potential. The BLS projects a 4% increase in the employment of engineers and architects from 2021-2031. However, industrial engineer jobs are projected to increase by 10% during that time.
What can I do with a master’s in engineering?
Colleges and universities offer many online engineering master’s degrees. These programs can incorporate management and business skills with a technical curriculum. Some programs provide a broad overview of an engineering discipline. Others extensively study a specific engineering area, such as subsea engineering or cybersecurity computer engineering.
Often, schools design their online master’s in engineering programs to allow for a flexible, customizable curriculum. Students can select from various engineering electives to complement core classes. This customization lets students build their degrees to meet their educational and career goals.
Are engineering majors in demand?
Engineering graduates may find many career opportunities. The BLS projects about 146,000 new engineer and architect jobs from 2021-2031. Additional jobs will open due to workers retiring or people leaving the field for other opportunities. Much of the demand for engineers will come from renewable energy, robotics, and oil and gas extraction industries.
The BLS projects much faster growth in the employment of industrial engineers. This engineering field works in various manufacturing industries, often looking for cost savings or improving efficiency. The BLS projects about 23,300 annual job openings in this field.
How much money can I make with a master’s in engineering?
Engineers reported a median salary of $99,040 in May 2021, according to the BLS. Several factors impact salary projections, however. These factors include your specialization area, industry, education, experience, and where you live. Payscale reports engineers with a master’s degree earn an average of $96,000 as of August 2022. Engineers with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $87,000 as of August 2022 Payscale data.
The BLS reports that mechanical engineers earned a median salary of $95,300 in 2021. However, Payscale reports entry-level engineers earn an average salary of $65,180. Mechanical engineers with 10-19 years of experience earn an average of $94,840. Mechanical engineers working with oil pipelines reported an average salary of $157,210, as per the BLS.
What are the highest-paying jobs with a master’s in engineering?
Petroleum engineers report the highest median salary among engineers of $131,850, according to the BLS. Top-earning engineers work in the credit intermediation industry, earning an average of $230,810 per year. However, only a small number of petroleum engineers work in this field. Most work in the oil and gas extraction industry, which reports an average salary of $157,900.
But people with a master’s degree can also take on management responsibilities and, often, increased pay. The BLS reports that industrial production managers earn a median salary of $103,150 per year as of 2021. Most industrial managers work in machinery manufacturing. These managers report an average annual salary of $111,890. Scientific research services, however, offer the highest compensation at an average of $173,720 per year.
Feature Image: Nitat Termmee / Moment / Getty Images
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