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.
Popular Online Engineering Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Accelerated Engineering Degree Programs
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- In-State$15,480
- Out-of-state$15,480
- Retention Rate50%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled16,670
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment53%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Cloud State University
- Saint Cloud, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,394
- Out-of-state$15,686
- In-State$7,460
- Out-of-state$11,334
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled13,049
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
Western Governors University
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$6,380
- Out-of-state$6,380
- In-State$7,500
- Out-of-state$7,500
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled136,139
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$6,032
- Out-of-state$16,160
- In-State$6,324
- Out-of-state$13,920
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled15,460
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment73%
- 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
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2023. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.
How Fast Can I Get an Accelerated Engineering Degree?
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.
How Do I Choose an Accelerated Engineering Degree Program?
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.
Cost
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
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.
Location
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.
Accreditation
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 Support
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.
What Can I Do With an Accelerated Engineering Degree?
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.
Career Outlook
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.
Career Paths
Aerospace Engineers
These engineers design and build aircraft and aerospace products and technologies. In addition to creating effective products, their developments must adhere to budgets, aerospace regulations, and safety protocols. They may specialize in aeronautical or astronautical engineering, which focus on aircraft within the Earth’s atmosphere or outside of it, respectively.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$130,720
Chemical Engineers
Chemical engineers use chemistry and chemical processes to influence the production of chemicals, drugs, and food. They also develop and evaluate equipment and safety practices for those working with chemicals and chemical processes. They may specialize in environmental impacts and regulations regarding chemicals.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$112,100
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
These engineers specialize in the design and development of electrical and electronic equipment, devices, and systems. They may inspect, analyze, test, and maintain electrical and electronic equipment as well. Many electrical engineering professionals work with computer hardware.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$106,950
Industrial Engineers
Industrial engineers look for ways to improve production systems and processes. They analyze the costs, schedules, and equipment required to manufacture goods and develop more efficient practices. These engineers help organizations refine their manufacturing methods to cut costs and improve production output.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$99,380
Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineers work with mechanical devices, sensors, and machines. They design and develop power-producing machines, systems within buildings, and automotive devices. They typically use computer-aided design technologies to plan and design their innovations.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$99,510
Not the Right Fit? Consider These Other Accelerated Degree Programs
Is An Accelerated Engineering Degree Right for Me?
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.
Related Online Programs That May Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Engineering Degree Programs
Yes. You can receive a bachelor’s degree in one year, though this option usually requires you to transfer many credits from previous institutions or work experience.
Degree-completion programs often allow you to transfer about three years worth of credits, leaving only one year remaining for the degree.
As for a true accelerated engineering degree, these programs typically take more time. Most engineering courses have prerequisites of advanced math or science coursework that you must take sequentially.
Since you need to complete the full credit requirements for the degree, these degrees tend to take a minimum of 2-3 years to finish.
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by Meg Embry
Updated August 13, 2024