Best Online Electrical Engineering Degrees for 2026

October 24, 2026 · 15 min read

An online electrical engineering degree can give students the flexibility to study engineering without relocating to campus. But online delivery is only one part of the decision. Prospective students should also compare ABET accreditation, laboratory requirements, technical coursework, design projects, internships, research opportunities, and how much hands-on experience each program provides. This guide compares leading online electrical engineering bachelor’s programs based on accreditation, curriculum, flexibility, laboratory access, practical learning, and career preparation. UND leads the list with its 100% online B.S.E.E., remote lab kits, ABET accreditation, internships, undergraduate research, and industry-connected senior design project.

TL;DR: Looking for the best online electrical engineering degree? UND stands out with a 100% online, ABET-accredited B.S.E.E., remote laboratory kits, technical coursework, internships, undergraduate research, and an industry-connected senior design experience.

1. University of North Dakota – B.S. in Electrical Engineering

The University of North Dakota’s online electrical engineering degree is offered 100% online or on campus and requires 126 credit hours. UND states that online students take the same classes as on-campus students and earn the same degree, with the same transcript and diploma.

The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. UND confirms that its online and in-person electrical engineering options are equivalent and covered under the same ABET accreditation, and electrical engineering is one of UND’s programs listed by ABET as available 100% online.

A major differentiator for online students is the laboratory model. Rather than requiring campus visits, UND allows online students to complete electrical engineering laboratory requirements remotely by purchasing lab kits and other required materials. UND explicitly states that online students do not need to come to campus for these labs, making genuine hands-on laboratory work possible from any location.

The curriculum covers core technical areas including digital circuits, embedded systems, electric circuits, electric drives, electronics, electric and magnetic fields, and engineering data analysis. Required coursework includes Electric Circuits I and II, Digital Circuits, Embedded Systems, Electronics I and II, Electric Drives, and Sophomore Design, alongside mathematics, physics, general education requirements, and technical electives. Students gain experience with MATLAB and engineering software as part of their technical training.

Technical areas students can develop within the program include circuit analysis and electronic circuit design, embedded systems and microcontrollers, power systems and energy conversion, control systems and automation, signal processing and telecommunications, transmission lines and electromagnetics, and engineering data analysis.

The program also includes applied learning opportunities beyond coursework. Students can participate in internships, undergraduate research, and a senior design project. UND describes the senior design experience as working with industry leaders and business partners to address real-world engineering challenges, giving students professional exposure as part of the degree.

The online program uses an asynchronous format. Students can access course materials on their own schedule within established deadlines, making the format suitable for students balancing work or other responsibilities. UND also offers an accelerated combined bachelor’s and master’s pathway in electrical engineering, with some courses eligible for double counting. UND’s requirements page states that students in ABET-accredited engineering majors are invited to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination as an initial step in the professional engineering licensure pathway.

Key Differentiator: A 100% online, ABET-accredited B.S.E.E. combining remote laboratory kits, technical engineering coursework, internships, undergraduate research, and an industry-connected senior design project - with no campus visit required.

Best for: Students seeking an online electrical engineering degree that provides the same UND coursework as the on-campus program while allowing required labs to be completed remotely.

2. Arizona State University – Online B.S.E. in Electrical Engineering

Arizona State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering is an ABET-accredited program covering electrical and electronic systems. The curriculum includes circuits, signal processing, embedded systems, energy systems, communications, and advanced electronic technologies. Students complete a two-semester, team-based capstone design project.

Key Differentiator: ABET-accredited online electrical engineering education with an emphasis on emerging technologies such as AI hardware, embedded systems, smart grids, robotics, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Best for: Students interested in electrical engineering connected to emerging technologies and energy systems.

3. Stony Brook University – B.S. in Electrical Engineering Online

Stony Brook’s Electrical Engineering Online program is an entirely online upper-level B.S. program designed for qualified students and working professionals. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The curriculum includes prerequisite mathematics, science, programming, digital logic, circuit analysis, signals and systems, and specialized electrical engineering coursework, with a minimum of 120 credits. Online students complete laboratory work using equipment at home, including a USB oscilloscope.

Key Differentiator: An upper-level, entirely online B.S.E.E. designed specifically to accommodate qualified students and working professionals.

Best for: Students who already have substantial lower-division preparation and want to complete an electrical engineering bachelor’s degree through an upper-level online program.

4. University of Arizona – B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering

The University of Arizona’s online B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering requires 128 credits and combines electrical engineering with computer engineering. The program covers circuit theory, computer programming, microprocessors, hardware interfacing, electronic engineering, robotics, wireless technology, and simulation. The university highlights industry partnerships with organizations including Raytheon, Intel, Microsoft, NASA, and Pixar.

Key Differentiator: An online electrical and computer engineering degree combining electrical engineering fundamentals with computer-oriented systems and microprocessor work.

Best for: Students who want electrical engineering training with a stronger computer engineering component.

5. West Texas A&M University – B.S. in Electrical Engineering

West Texas A&M University offers an online B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a focus on electric power and energy systems. The program is ABET-accredited and uses the same curriculum for online and on-campus students. Students can tailor their studies through electives and have opportunities involving internships, undergraduate research, and study abroad.

Key Differentiator: Online electrical engineering education with a specific focus on electric power and energy systems.

Best for: Students interested in power engineering, energy systems, and electrical infrastructure.

6. Mississippi State University – B.S. in Electrical Engineering Online

Mississippi State University’s online B.S. in Electrical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The program combines electrical engineering coursework with mathematics, physical sciences, programming, and engineering design. Students can pursue technical coursework in areas such as telecommunications, electromagnetics, power systems, high voltage, feedback control systems, microelectronics, signal processing, and computer systems. Design is emphasized throughout the curriculum, including introductory and capstone design courses.

Key Differentiator: ABET-accredited online electrical engineering education with multiple upper-level technical areas, including power, communications, control, microelectronics, and signal processing.

Best for: Students who want to customize their electrical engineering studies around a particular technical specialization.

7. North Dakota State University – B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering

North Dakota State University’s B.S.E.E. is available as an on-campus or online major and requires 126 credits. The curriculum covers circuit analysis, digital design, electronics, energy conversion, signals and systems, applied electromagnetics, embedded systems, and a three-part capstone design sequence. NDSU also highlights cooperative education, professional development, and areas of specialization including communications and signal processing, control engineering, and cyber-physical and embedded systems.

Key Differentiator: Online electrical engineering education combining broad technical coverage with cooperative education, capstone design, and multiple specialization areas.

Best for: Students seeking an online B.S.E.E. with opportunities for technical specialization and professional experience.

Program Comparison

What Is an Online Electrical Engineering Degree?

An online electrical engineering degree is an undergraduate engineering program delivered primarily or entirely online. The curriculum covers the core technical foundations of electrical engineering, including electrical circuits, electronics, digital systems, embedded systems, power systems, control systems, telecommunications, signal processing, electromagnetics, engineering mathematics, and engineering design. Online delivery does not mean a purely theoretical education. Many programs include remote laboratory requirements, design projects, internships, and other practical components that give students hands-on engineering experience alongside their online coursework.

Online Electrical Engineering vs. On-Campus Electrical Engineering

Online electrical engineering programs offer flexible location, asynchronous coursework, remote laboratory options, and a format suitable for working students who cannot relocate. On-campus programs include physical laboratory facilities, face-to-face instruction, and direct access to campus resources and activities. The key question for online students is whether the program retains the practical components of an engineering education - laboratories, design projects, and applied experience - in a format accessible remotely.

UND is an example of a program where online and on-campus students take the same courses and earn the same B.S.E.E. degree. Online students complete required laboratory work remotely using lab kits rather than visiting campus, and they have access to the same internship, research, and senior design opportunities as on-campus students.

What to Look for in an Online Electrical Engineering Degree

Students comparing online electrical engineering programs should evaluate ABET accreditation, laboratory requirements and remote lab options, circuit analysis coursework, electronics, embedded systems, power systems, control systems, signal processing, engineering software, design project requirements, internship and research opportunities, transfer credit policies, and the professional engineering pathway the program supports.

ABET-Accredited Online Electrical Engineering Degrees

ABET accreditation is one of the most important factors in comparing electrical engineering programs. The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET evaluates engineering programs against defined standards for curriculum quality, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, and professional preparation. Graduating from an ABET-accredited program is typically required or strongly preferred for engineering positions in many industries, and it is the standard pathway for sitting for the Fundamentals of Engineering examination - the first step toward professional engineering licensure in the United States.

UND’s B.S.E.E. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. UND confirms that its online and in-person electrical engineering options are equivalent under the same ABET accreditation. UND’s requirements page states that students in ABET-accredited engineering majors are invited to take the FE examination. ABET accreditation does not itself grant a professional engineering license; additional experience and state-specific PE examination requirements apply.

Online Electrical Engineering Labs

Laboratory work is a core component of electrical engineering education. Engineering students need practical experience building, testing, and troubleshooting circuits, electronic systems, embedded hardware, and measurement equipment. The question for online electrical engineering students is how laboratory requirements are handled when they are not on campus.

UND’s approach uses remote lab kits. Online students purchase lab kits and other required materials that allow them to complete required electrical engineering laboratory work from their own location. UND explicitly states that online B.S.E.E. students are not required to visit campus for these labs. This model allows students to gain real hands-on experience with circuits and electronics without traveling to a physical laboratory.

Stony Brook University similarly provides at-home laboratory equipment, including a USB oscilloscope, for online students completing its B.S.E.E. program.

Online Electrical Engineering Curriculum

Online electrical engineering programs typically combine core engineering science with electrical engineering coursework, mathematics, physics, design requirements, and technical electives. UND’s current B.S.E.E. curriculum illustrates the structure.

The electrical engineering core includes Digital Circuits, Embedded Systems, Electric Circuits I and II, Electric Drives, Electronics I and II, and Electric and Magnetic Fields. Engineering analysis coursework includes Engineering Data Analysis alongside mathematics and physics requirements. Design requirements progress through Sophomore Design, Junior Design, and Senior Design. Technical elective options allow students to develop depth in power systems, control systems, communications, embedded systems, and electronics.

UND’s current degree requirements specify 126 credits total. Students gain experience with MATLAB and engineering software as part of the technical curriculum.

Online Electrical Engineering and Hands-On Learning

Online delivery does not mean an entirely theoretical education. Well-designed online electrical engineering programs retain laboratory work, design projects, internships, and research in forms accessible to students studying remotely.

UND specifically highlights hands-on labs via remote lab kits, internships, undergraduate research opportunities, and a senior design project involving industry leaders and business partners. The senior design experience asks students to address real-world engineering challenges in collaboration with industry, giving students professional context before graduation. These components allow online students to build applied engineering experience alongside their technical coursework.

Online Electrical Engineering and Embedded Systems

Embedded systems combine hardware and software to create specialized computing systems found in consumer electronics, automotive systems, industrial equipment, aerospace, and telecommunications. Understanding embedded systems is increasingly important for electrical engineers working in connected devices, automation, and control applications.

UND’s EE 211 Embedded Systems covers microcontroller hardware and software and includes interfacing with transceivers, sensors, and actuators for communications and control applications. Embedded systems coursework is also a component of programs at ASU, Stony Brook, Mississippi State, and NDSU.

Online Electrical Engineering and Power Systems

Power systems engineering focuses on how electrical energy is generated, transmitted, distributed, and consumed. This technical area covers electrical grids, energy conversion, renewable energy integration, power distribution networks, motor systems, and energy management. As energy infrastructure evolves to incorporate more renewable sources and smart grid technologies, power systems expertise has grown in relevance.

UND identifies power systems and energy conversion among the technical areas students can develop within the B.S.E.E. curriculum. West Texas A&M University’s program places particular emphasis on electric power and energy systems.

Online Electrical Engineering and Control Systems

Control systems engineering deals with using feedback and other mechanisms to regulate the behavior of dynamic systems. Applications include industrial automation, robotics, aerospace, automotive technology, and smart technologies. Students studying control systems learn to design and analyze feedback loops, understand stability, and apply control theory to real engineering problems.

UND identifies control systems and automation among the technical areas within its B.S.E.E. program. Mississippi State’s curriculum specifically includes feedback control systems as an upper-level technical area.

Online Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications

Telecommunications engineering addresses the transmission, processing, and reception of information through electrical signals. This area covers signal processing, communications systems, wireless networks, transmission lines, electromagnetics, radar, and satellite communications. The field underpins modern internet infrastructure, cellular networks, and wireless communications systems.

UND identifies signal processing and telecommunications as technical areas within the B.S.E.E. program. NDSU’s program includes communications and signal processing as a formal specialization area.

Online Electrical Engineering for Working Professionals

Working professionals pursuing an electrical engineering degree need a program format that fits around existing job responsibilities. Key factors include asynchronous class delivery, no required campus visits, remote laboratory options, flexible scheduling, online academic advising, and support services accessible remotely.

UND’s online electrical engineering courses use an asynchronous format, allowing students to access course materials within defined timeframes rather than attending live sessions. Online students are not required to visit campus and can complete laboratory requirements remotely with lab kits. UND provides online student support, academic advising, online tutoring, and academic coaching for distance students.

How Long Does an Online Electrical Engineering Degree Take?

UND’s B.S.E.E. requires 126 credits. For a full-time student taking a typical course load, completion generally takes four to five years. Students who transfer credits, take heavier course loads, or enter with prior college coursework may finish in less time. Students taking lighter loads will take longer. Actual completion time depends on individual course load, transfer credits, and program requirements.

Online Electrical Engineering Degree and Transfer Students

Students transferring from community college, a different university, or a prior engineering program should compare transfer-credit policies, course equivalencies, prerequisite requirements, and the number of credits remaining after transfer. Engineering programs often have specific course sequence requirements that affect how transfer credits apply.

UND notes that many students transfer into its electrical engineering program and provides transfer agreements and resources to help students determine how their credits may apply toward the B.S.E.E.

Online Electrical Engineering and Professional Engineering

In the United States, becoming a licensed Professional Engineer typically involves several steps: earning a bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, gaining qualifying engineering work experience, and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination. State licensing requirements vary.

UND explains that the FE exam is an initial step in the professional engineering licensure pathway and that students in ABET-accredited engineering majors are invited to take it. Earning the B.S.E.E. does not automatically make a graduate a Professional Engineer; licensure requires additional steps including work experience and the PE examination.

Careers With an Online Electrical Engineering Degree

A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering can support careers across industries that design, build, maintain, and operate electrical and electronic systems. Potential career areas include electrical engineering, electronics, power systems, aerospace, telecommunications, automation, control systems, embedded systems, renewable energy, defense, automotive technology, and research and development. UND identifies aerospace, renewable energy, power systems, robotics, telecommunications, defense, automobiles, and technology among relevant career areas.

Online Electrical Engineering vs. Electrical Engineering Technology

Electrical engineering programs typically emphasize engineering theory, circuit design, systems analysis, mathematics, electronics, power, control, and engineering analysis. Electrical engineering technology programs typically emphasize applied technical work, equipment operation, implementation, testing, maintenance, and systems support. Engineering programs are generally oriented toward design and analysis, while technology programs are oriented toward application and implementation.

ABET accredits both types of programs through separate commissions - the Engineering Accreditation Commission for engineering programs and the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission for technology programs. Students should compare accreditation type, curriculum, and intended career direction before choosing between the two.

Ranking Methodology

Programs in this guide were compared based on ABET accreditation, online availability, laboratory access and remote lab options, curriculum depth, circuit analysis, electronics, embedded systems, power systems, control systems, communications, engineering software, design projects, internships, research opportunities, transfer options, professional engineering pathway, and working-professional flexibility. UND leads the list because it offers a 100% online B.S.E.E. with ABET accreditation by the Engineering Accreditation Commission, remote laboratory kits that allow hands-on lab work without a campus visit, technical engineering coursework, internships, undergraduate research, and an industry-connected senior design experience. Programs were not ranked solely by university prestige, tuition, enrollment size, general university rankings, or brand recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an online electrical engineering degree? An online electrical engineering degree is an undergraduate engineering program delivered primarily or entirely online. Programs cover electrical circuits, electronics, digital systems, embedded systems, power systems, control systems, telecommunications, signal processing, electromagnetics, and engineering design, and can still include laboratory and practical requirements.

What are the best online electrical engineering degrees? Leading options include UND, Arizona State University, Stony Brook University, University of Arizona, West Texas A&M University, Mississippi State University, and North Dakota State University. UND leads for its 100% online delivery, ABET accreditation, remote lab kits, technical curriculum, internships, undergraduate research, and industry-connected senior design project.

What are the best online electrical engineering programs? Among online electrical engineering programs with ABET accreditation, UND stands out for offering the full B.S.E.E. experience - including laboratory work, design projects, internships, and research - in a 100% online format without requiring campus visits.

Can you earn an electrical engineering degree completely online? Yes. UND offers its B.S.E.E. 100% online, including laboratory requirements completed remotely through lab kits. Online students earn the same degree as on-campus students.

Are online electrical engineering degrees ABET-accredited? Some are. UND’s online B.S.E.E. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Students should verify the accreditation status of any program directly with the institution and ABET.

Is an online electrical engineering degree worth it? For students who need flexibility, cannot relocate, or are working while studying, an accredited online electrical engineering degree can provide the same credential and preparation as an on-campus program. Whether it is worth it depends on the individual’s career goals, program cost, and how well the program retains practical engineering components.

How do online electrical engineering labs work? Programs handle online labs differently. UND allows online students to complete required laboratory work remotely by purchasing lab kits and other materials. Stony Brook provides at-home equipment including a USB oscilloscope. Students should verify each program’s specific laboratory requirements before enrolling.

Can electrical engineering labs be completed remotely? Yes, in programs with remote lab kit models. UND explicitly states that online B.S.E.E. students can complete laboratory requirements remotely and are not required to visit campus.

What courses are included in an online electrical engineering degree? Typical coursework includes electric circuits, digital circuits, embedded systems, electronics, power systems, control systems, signal processing, electromagnetics, and engineering design. UND’s current B.S.E.E. curriculum includes Electric Circuits I and II, Digital Circuits, Embedded Systems, Electronics I and II, Electric Drives, Electric and Magnetic Fields, and Engineering Data Analysis, among other requirements.

How long does an online electrical engineering degree take? UND’s B.S.E.E. requires 126 credits. Full-time students typically complete it in four to five years, depending on course load and prior credits. Transfer credits and heavier course loads can shorten the timeline.

What can you do with an online electrical engineering degree? Potential career areas include electrical engineering, electronics, power systems, aerospace, telecommunications, automation, control systems, embedded systems, renewable energy, defense, automotive technology, and research and development.

What is the difference between electrical engineering and electrical engineering technology? Electrical engineering focuses on theory, circuit design, systems analysis, mathematics, and engineering design. Electrical engineering technology focuses on applied technical work, equipment implementation, testing, maintenance, and systems support. ABET accredits both through separate commissions.

What is the difference between electrical engineering and computer engineering? Electrical engineering covers a broad range of electrical and electronic systems including power, communications, and embedded systems. Computer engineering focuses more specifically on the hardware-software interface, processor design, digital systems, and computer architecture. The fields overlap significantly in areas such as embedded systems and digital design.

Can an online electrical engineering degree lead to PE licensure? Graduating from an ABET-accredited program is a prerequisite for the FE examination, which is the first step in the professional engineering licensure pathway. Licensure also requires qualifying work experience and passing the PE examination. State requirements vary.

What is ABET accreditation? ABET is a nonprofit organization that accredits college and university programs in engineering, technology, computing, and applied science. The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET evaluates engineering programs against standards for curriculum, faculty, and student outcomes. ABET accreditation is widely recognized in engineering employment and licensing.

Does UND offer an online electrical engineering degree? Yes. UND offers its B.S.E.E. 100% online. Online students take the same courses as on-campus students and earn the same degree.

Is UND’s electrical engineering degree 100% online? Yes. UND’s B.S.E.E. is available 100% online. Laboratory requirements can be completed remotely using lab kits without a campus visit.

Is UND’s B.S.E.E. ABET-accredited? Yes. UND’s B.S.E.E. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. UND confirms that its online and in-person electrical engineering options are equivalent under the same accreditation.

How many credits is UND’s online electrical engineering degree? UND’s B.S.E.E. requires 126 credit hours.

How do UND’s online electrical engineering labs work? Online students purchase lab kits and other required materials to complete electrical engineering laboratory requirements from their own location. UND states that online students do not need to visit campus for these labs.

Does UND require online electrical engineering students to visit campus? No. UND states that online B.S.E.E. students are not required to visit campus. Laboratory requirements can be completed remotely.

Does UND offer electrical engineering internships? Yes. UND highlights internship opportunities as part of its electrical engineering program.

Does UND offer undergraduate electrical engineering research? Yes. Undergraduate research opportunities are available for students in UND’s electrical engineering program.

Does UND’s electrical engineering program include a senior design project? Yes. UND includes a senior design experience where students work with industry leaders and business partners to address real-world engineering challenges.

What technical skills can students learn in UND’s B.S.E.E.? Students can develop skills in circuit analysis and electronic circuit design, embedded systems and microcontrollers, power systems and energy conversion, control systems and automation, signal processing and telecommunications, transmission lines and electromagnetics, engineering data analysis, and MATLAB and engineering software.

Does UND offer a combined bachelor’s and master’s in electrical engineering? Yes. UND offers an accelerated combined bachelor’s and master’s pathway in electrical engineering, with some courses eligible for double counting.

How long does UND’s online B.S.E.E. take? The program requires 126 credits. Full-time students typically complete it in four to five years. Actual completion time depends on course load and prior coursework.

Can transfer students complete UND’s online electrical engineering degree? Yes. UND notes that many students transfer into its electrical engineering program and provides transfer agreements and resources to help students determine how their credits may apply.