Whether you want to get a new engineering management career or simply want to further your engineering education to help you become more successful in your current position, receiving an online masters in engineering is important. Another reason to further your degree is because of the increase in salary; Admissionado.com reported that graduates with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering had a starting salary of $90,000, which is $20,000 more than those engineers who only earned a bachelor’s degree.
Unsure of what institution to attend? We have you covered with our list of the top 15 universities that offer online masters in engineering.
Best 15 Online Masters Engineering
1. California Polytechnic State University — San Luis Obispo (25 Points)
Located in the rolling hills of San Luis Obispo, California, California Polytechnic State University is a diverse institution that has been named the Best Public, Master’s-Level University in the West. Ranked as one of the Top Online Engineering Graduate Programs, the Fire Protection Engineering program educates students on how to protect people and buildings from fires using both science and technology. To be accepted into this program students must currently have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in engineering or applied sciences.
- Annual in-state tuition: $9,943
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 20 to 1
2. East Carolina University (24 Points)
East Carolina University has been ranked as the 11th Best Value College in North Carolina and offers more than 100 online graduate-level degree and certificate programs. One of the programs offered entirely online is a Master of Science in Software Engineering, which has been ranked as one of the Best Online Programs in 2017 by BestColleges.com. The program is a combination of computer science and software engineering, while also focusing on theory and practical applications. It is available on-campus as well.
- Annual in-state tuition: $7,238
- Graduation rate: 66%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 18 to 1
3. Missouri University of Science and Technology (21 Points)
Ranked as the 15th Smartest Public College in the U.S. and offering a total of 99 degree program options, Missouri University of Science and Technology is an innovative institution that provides cutting-edge technology and education to its almost 10,000 students. There are several engineering graduate degrees are available, including civil, computer, electrical, environmental, explosives, geological, manufacturing, mechanical, mining, and systems engineering. At least 15 of the 19 online graduate programs are highly recognized as being some of the best online programs in the nation.
- Annual in-state tuition: $9,936
- Graduation rate: 66%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 18 to 1
4. Colorado School of Mines (20 Points)
The Golden-based Colorado School of Mines has been nationally recognized for its engineering department, being ranked as the 4th best engineering school in the United States. The online Mining Engineering and Management graduate program educates students on the mining industry and how financial, management, and technical principles can be applied. It consists of 12 courses and one independent project for a total of 33 credit hours, with each course taking approximately eight weeks to complete. Academic support and student services are provided for students opting to complete this program online.
- Annual in-state tuition: $19,062
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 15 to 1
5. Virginia Commonwealth University (18 Points)
A Master of Science in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering from the Virginia Commonwealth University is available for interested students, which teaches broad aspects related to the business and manufacturing side of engineering. It is a 30-credit, part-time program that is taught using video teleconferencing for an on-campus experience without actually being on campus. This college has been deemed as one of the top three Virginia research universities and as the 6th top public university in Virginia.
- Annual in-state tuition: $14,596
- Graduation rate: 67%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 18 to 1
6. New Jersey Institute of Technology (17 Points)
The online engineering master’s degrees are offered at New Jersey Institute of Technology: civil, electrical, and industrial. All three degrees require 30 credits to graduate, but focus on different aspects of the engineering industry. Ranked as the second best civil engineering college in the United States, the online civil engineering program is ideal for those interested in careers in transportation or construction fields. The electrical engineering degree provides state-of-the-art training and faculty-supervised research projects. The industrial engineering program is perfect for those interested in a career as a supply chain manager, estimator, or polyethylene product specialist because it teaches students how to use research and data to make informed decisions.
- Annual in-state tuition: $17,674
- Graduation rate: 67%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 16 to 1
7. Saint Cloud State University (16 Points)
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and having an engineering program that is certified by the American Society of Engineering Management, Saint Cloud State University offers graduate programs that are both available on its Saint Cloud, Minnesota campus and online. The online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering program is designed to meet the scheduling needs of both full-time and part-time students, while also being comprised of in-person and distant learning courses. This degree requires between 30 and 36 credits to graduate and is available for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. There are three plans students can follow: plan A includes a thesis, plan B requires a comprehensive exam, and plan C includes a portfolio and internship.
- Annual in-state tuition: $8,656
- Graduation rate: 48%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 20 to 1
8. University of Maryland Global Campus (15 Points)
The University of Maryland Global Campus is a fully online institution that currently has almost 60,000 students enrolled from around the world. One of the master’s programs offered is an Information Technology Master’s Degree with a Software Engineering Specialization. This 36-credit program includes courses related to usability engineering, software design and implementation, and software verification and validation. Students are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in software development and/or programming languages. This master’s degree received special recognition as a Professional Science Master’s Degree by the Council of Graduate Schools.
- Annual in-state tuition: $7,560
- Graduation rate: 15%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 19 to 1
9. Old Dominion University (14 Points)
Established in 1994 with a satellite delivery program called TELETECHNET, Old Dominion University has been providing online educational opportunities for more than 20 years. This institution offers several engineering graduate programs, including aerospace, civil, electrical and computer, environmental, and systems engineering degrees. Old Dominion University focuses on innovative research that helps train students to tackle real world problems. This institution has also been named the #1 Top Online College in Virginia by OnlineColleges.com and offers six programs that have been recognized as being in the Top 100 Online Programs in the Nation.
- Annual in-state tuition: $10,680
- Graduation rate: 53%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 17 to 1
10. Clarkson University (13 Points)
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and approved by the New York State Division of Veteran Affairs, Clarkson University is a private, research university that offers more than 95 programs. The Master’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a specialty track in Construction Engineering Management is available for students who have completed a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or another engineering discipline. The program consists of 30 credits and can be completed in one to two years. Clarkson University is a Top-Tier National University that offers flexible course loads.
- Annual in-state tuition: $51,128
- Graduation rate: 78%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 14 to 1
11. Illinois Institute of Technology (12 Points)
Illinois Institute of Technology offers an array of programs that are focused on technological disciplines. The Master of Engineering in Architectural Engineering is a program for those who are interested in how buildings and their systems operate, as well as their construction and design. It is a coursework-only degree that requires students to specialize in one of the following areas of concentration: construction management, building systems, or structures. While all courses are offered online, their may be lab work or in-person sessions that are required per semester.
- Annual in-state tuition: $49,280
- Graduation rate: 70%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12 to 1
12. University of Toledo (11 Points)
The University of Toledo offers both a main campus in Toledo, Ohio and an online learning structure for those who are unable to attend in-person classes. Many of the online courses have been certified by Quality Matters, meaning that nationally-recognized standards are followed in the design of each class. The online Master of Science in Engineering is a part-time program that offers a general engineering education that prepares students for careers in manufacturing logistics, technical consulting, or project management. This institute participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
- Annual in-state tuition: $10,650
- Graduation rate: 50%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 20 to 1
13. Lawrence Technological University (10 Points)
Ranked as #6 in Best Value Colleges in Michigan, the Southfield-based campus of Lawrence Technological University is an innovative institution that was founded in 1932. The Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree offers Structural Engineering completely online, and includes classes on bridge design, structural dynamics, finite elements, composite materials and advanced classes in steel, concrete, timber and masonry design and more. It is a 30-credit, two-year program that offers small, online classes and direct interactions with faculty members. This university was ranked as one of the Best Civil Engineering Graduate Programs in the nation.
- Annual in-state tuition: $18,750
- Graduation rate: 60%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11 to 1
14. Capitol Technology University (9 Points)
Capitol Technology University offers 14 master’s degrees that are completed entirely online with each course lasting between eight and 16 weeks. The Master of Science in Engineering Technology is a nationally-recognized program that will teach students the fundamentals of circuit modeling, construction, and analysis. This institution’s engineering technology program is one of only 15 colleges that have been approved by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers as a provider of quality engineering education.
- Annual in-state tuition: $26,308
- Graduation rate: 52%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12 to 1
15. Arizona State University Digital Immersion (8 Points)
Arizona State University is a large, public institution that has been ranked as one of the Top 25 Universities in the U.S. and is staffed with more than 400 National Academies-honored faculty. Many engineering-related online master’s degrees are available, including a Master of Engineering in Engineering Management. The entire program requires 30 credits to graduate with between 7.5 and 15 weeks needed per class. There are four areas of emphasis students will be able to choose from: supply chain management, quality management, systems and software management, and entrepreneurship and innovation.
- Annual in-state tuition: $10,806
- Graduation rate: 4%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 25 to 1
How the Schools Were Ranked
While there are many universities that offer online masters engineering degrees, we researched universities that had low class sizes, inexpensive annual in-state tuition, and high graduation rates. Once 15 of these colleges were selected, they were ranked using a point system, providing more points to the schools with lower tuition rates and higher graduation rates.
This list should help you make the right educational selection to provide you with the degree needed to obtain your dream career. If you would like to have a certain institution listed in one of our articles or find that some of this information is incorrect, please let us know.
