Online Engineering Degrees: Which Disciplines Work Online, and Which Don't?

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Online engineering programs have grown — but with real limits. Some disciplines (EE, CE, industrial) now have robust ABET-accredited online bachelor's. Others (ME, civil, chemical, biomedical) remain mostly on-campus due to lab and fieldwork needs. Master's are far more flexible across disciplines.

Disciplines, Formats, and ABET Status

At a Glance

Online BS engineering exists in EE, CE, industrial, software.
ME, civil, chemical, biomedical remain mostly on-campus undergrad.
Online MS engineering is widespread (Georgia Tech OMSCS/OMSA, Purdue, Penn State).
ABET accreditation is the quality signal for both.

What It Is

Online engineering programs deliver lectures, problem sets, and some lab work remotely — often with on-campus or local-proctored residencies.

Who It Suits

Working engineers upgrading credentials.
Career changers with math background.
Students with geographic constraints.

Levels and Credentials

DisciplineOnline BS?Online MS?ElectricalYes (select)YesComputer/SoftwareYesYesIndustrialYesYesMechanicalLimitedYesCivilLimitedYesBiomedicalRareLimited

Online vs Campus

Georgia Tech OMSCS, ASU Online BSE, Penn State World Campus, Purdue Online are leaders.

Careers and Salaries

Wages below are May 2024 national medians from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

RoleMedian wage (BLS May 2024)Electrical Engineers$117,680Software Developers$133,080Industrial Engineers$101,140Computer Hardware Engineers$155,020

What Programs Cost

ASU Online BS: ~$45k. Georgia Tech OMSCS: ~$8k total. Penn State World Campus MS: ~$35k.

How to Choose

Confirm ABET accreditation.
Check lab delivery model.
Verify licensing eligibility if targeting PE.

Common Mistakes

Enrolling in non-ABET programs planning PE licensure.
Underestimating workload.

Glossary

ABETEngineering accreditation authority.

FAQ

Is an online engineering degree respected? Yes, if ABET-accredited.

Key Takeaways

Not every engineering field is online-friendly.
ABET is essential for long-term optionality.

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Conclusion

Online engineering is legitimate in the right fields — especially at the master's level. Prioritize ABET and verify lab/licensing paths.