Best Online Bachelor’s of Electrical and Computer Engineering Degree Programs for 2023

BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN COMPUTER ENGINEERING
By James Barham and Dr. Winston Ewert
Reviewed By Jenn Finley
Published:
Updated:

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in electrical and computer engineering degree programs to help students pursue high-earning careers as electrical, computer, and software engineers in a wide range of fields including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and more.

Top 10 Online Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering Degrees

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  1. University of Arizona
  2. Stony Brook University
  3. Florida International University
  4. Old Dominion University
  5. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
  6. National University
  7. Thomas Edison State University
  8. Daytona State College
  9. Bluefield State University
  10. Excelsior University
  1. Bluefield State University 97%
  2. Old Dominion University 96%
  3. University of Arizona 87%
  4. University of North Carolina at Charlotte 79%
  5. Florida International University 64%
  6. National University 55%
  7. Stony Brook University 48%
  1. Florida International University 25 to 1
  2. University of North Carolina at Charlotte 20 to 1
  3. Thomas Edison State University 20 to 1
  4. Stony Brook University 19 to 1
  5. Excelsior University 19 to 1
  6. Daytona State College 19 to 1
  7. Old Dominion University 18 to 1
  8. National University 16 to 1
  9. University of Arizona 15 to 1
  10. Bluefield State University 14 to 1
  1. National University $13,320
  2. University of Arizona $10,990
  3. Bluefield State University $8,084
  4. Thomas Edison State University $7,182
  5. Stony Brook University $7,070
  6. Old Dominion University $7,029
  7. Florida International University $4,721
  8. University of North Carolina at Charlotte $3,812
  9. Daytona State College $3,072
  1. National University $15,480
  2. University of Arizona $12,106
  3. Thomas Edison State University $12,024
  4. Stony Brook University $11,310
  5. Old Dominion University $10,207
  6. Florida International University $8,912
  7. University of North Carolina at Charlotte $4,337
  1. Excelsior University
  2. Bluefield State University
  3. Daytona State College
  4. Thomas Edison State University
  5. National University
  6. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
  7. Old Dominion University
  8. Florida International University
  9. Stony Brook University
  10. University of Arizona
  1. Stony Brook University 48%
  2. National University 55%
  3. Florida International University 64%
  4. University of North Carolina at Charlotte 79%
  5. University of Arizona 87%
  6. Old Dominion University 96%
  7. Bluefield State University 97%
  1. Bluefield State University 14 to 1
  2. University of Arizona 15 to 1
  3. National University 16 to 1
  4. Old Dominion University 18 to 1
  5. Stony Brook University 19 to 1
  6. Excelsior University 19 to 1
  7. Daytona State College 19 to 1
  8. University of North Carolina at Charlotte 20 to 1
  9. Thomas Edison State University 20 to 1
  10. Florida International University 25 to 1
  1. Daytona State College $3,072
  2. University of North Carolina at Charlotte $3,812
  3. Florida International University $4,721
  4. Old Dominion University $7,029
  5. Stony Brook University $7,070
  6. Thomas Edison State University $7,182
  7. Bluefield State University $8,084
  8. University of Arizona $10,990
  9. National University $13,320
  1. University of North Carolina at Charlotte $4,337
  2. Florida International University $8,912
  3. Old Dominion University $10,207
  4. Stony Brook University $11,310
  5. Thomas Edison State University $12,024
  6. University of Arizona $12,106
  7. National University $15,480

Featured Programs

Key Takeaways

  • An online bachelor’s in electrical and computer engineering (ECE) combines the two major and related disciplines of engineering.
  • With a keen interest in engineering, mathematics, the sciences, computer science, and related disciplines, a student can become a proficient ECE professional.
  • While certain electrical engineering programs and computer engineering online programs are offered in a strictly online format, most do require laboratory and field work to acquire skills in real-life settings.
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All About the Electrical and Computer Engineering Degree and Career

Because the electrical and computer engineering field has endless applications, the demand for professionals in this area is also growing over time.

A bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering (ECE) is a combination of two major and related engineering disciplines. This allows students to develop an extensive overview of both fields, with a specific focus on where they overlap.

The online bachelor’s in electrical and computer engineering pairs electrical engineering, including electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity, with computer engineering, the development and design of computer hardware, along with the codes controlling it.

Online Bachelor’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering Accreditation

Like most engineering specialties, the electrical and computer engineering programs have accreditation from a national body, provided that they meet specific requirements.

An electrical engineering program and computer engineering program that meets rigid eligibility requirements can be accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission through the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET), the national accreditation body for programs that involve engineering and technology.

ABET is also the umbrella organization for different agencies that focus on the advancements in education in engineering, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Although you can attend a program without accreditation from IEEE and ABET, this is a requirement for obtaining a license in Professional Engineering. When you come from an accreditation program, this can help you with better employment prospects after your complete your degree.

Online Bachelor’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering Specialization

Although most ECE program’s curriculum primarily focus on electrical and computer engineering, they are not identical across the board. However, there are some subjects and courses that ECE students should expect to tackle throughout their studies.

For instance, undergraduate students for the online bachelor’s in electrical and computer engineering, together with general elective courses, are likely to study the following:

  • Physics and Calculus
  • Electronics and Design
  • Introduction to Circuits
  • Differential Equations
  • Digital Logic
  • Computer Organization
  • Digital Systems
  • Other electives related to engineering and computing

Those in graduate school are also likely to cover these topics, although most programs no longer require master’s students to take elective courses. Instead, they need to have more research-based courses that lead to a paper publication upon completion.

Online Bachelor’s in ECE Coursework

Unlike most general engineering bachelor’s degree programs, the coursework for the online bachelor’s in electrical and computer engineering program is more specialized.

Students will have to complete the foundational coursework in calculus, chemistry, and physics on top of their classes in electronics, electrical systems, digital signal processing, electrical equipment, electromagnetics, communication systems, and power systems. Most of these require some laboratory and field study.

Learning Outcomes for the Online Electrical Engineering and Computer Programming

When you complete your bachelor’s in electrical and computer programming degree, you should be able to:

  • Recognize, articulate, and solve critical communications systems problems in engineering by using the principles of science, engineering, and mathematics.
  • Use engineering design in producing solutions that will meet the specific needs of a problem with considerations of safety, public health, and welfare, as well as cultural, global, social, economic, and environmental factors.
  • Effectively communicate with a wide audience.
  • Identify the professional and ethical obligations in engineering situations before making informed judgments. These judgments must also consider the impact of the solutions in societal, environmental, economic, and global contexts.
  • Work effectively with your team. You should also know how to create an inclusive and collaborative environment, plan tasks, establish goals, and meet your team’s objectives.
  • Acquire and conduct the right experimentation, use engineering judgments when drawing conclusions, or analyze and interpret data.
  • Acquire and apply the latest knowledge in the field when necessary, using the right learning strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Electrical and Computer Engineering Degrees

With programs offered both online and in person, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering is a great option for students with strong math, science, and design skills.

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This degree consists of roughly 120 credits, which can typically be completed in four years.

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During their coursework, students will gain an understanding of the practices, principles, and theories that make up electrical engineering and how those elements can be applied to computer systems.

Additionally, a heavy emphasis will be placed on mathematics and design principles, challenging students to investigate the relationship between computer hardware and software.

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Upon graduation, students can pursue high-earning careers as electrical, computer, and software engineers in a wide range of fields including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and more.

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Learn more about how to major in engineering.

Best Online Bachelor's in Electrical and Computer Engineering Degree Programs
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How We Ranked Today’s Excellent Bachelor’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering Programs

Engineering on its own is a broad discipline. Electrical and computer engineering is a specific area of study encompassing the two fields wherein the principles and applications are relevant to each practice. Choosing excellent electrical and computer online programs entails carefully evaluating their features!

On our list are today’s most outstanding online bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering degrees characterized by rigorous online program courses. Students learn the many facets of the discipline, allowing the future electrical engineers to learn how they apply to the real world.

The online programs also mold prospective students to become the finest analysts, problem-solvers, and communicators, allowing them to excel professionally with the right mindset and attitude toward work.

Influential figures in electrical and computer engineering make up the teaching staff of the online programs on our list. The professors are terminal degree holders and seasoned engineers in the electrical and computer fields.

The online electrical and computer engineering programs that made it to our list are all regionally accredited by academic organizations and maintain a close affiliation with industry associations.

Computer Hardware Engineers Salaries by Percentile in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of Computer Hardware Engineers for each percentile in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

SVG Attribution: Wikipedia

Total Employed: 73750
10%
15%
50%
15%
10%
bell-curve
7710099880128170164930N/A
10th Percentile25th Percentile75th Percentile90th Percentile
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10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering Degree Programs

  1. #1

    University of Arizona

    Tucson , AZ
    #4 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #13 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #19 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2023 #1 Best Colleges in Arizona 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    40K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1220/25

    Online Degrees

    BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  3. #3

    Florida International University

    Miami , FL
    #4 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2023 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Florida 2023 #5 Best Public Colleges in Florida 2023 #6 Best Research Universities in Florida 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    49K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/26

    Online Degrees

    BS in Electrical Engineering
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  4. #4

    Old Dominion University

    Norfolk , VA
    #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia 2023 #6 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2023 #6 Best Public Colleges in Virginia 2023 #6 Best Research Universities in Virginia 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/21

    Online Degrees

    BS in Computer Engineering Technology (Electrical Engineering Technology)
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Embedded Systems Technology (Electrical Engineering Technology)
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Communication Systems Technology (Electrical Engineering Technology)
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  8. #7

    Thomas Edison State University

    Trenton , NJ
    #4 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2023 #7 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2023 #9 Best Schools for Becoming an Air Traffic Controller in 2023 #6 Best Small Colleges in New Jersey 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Student body

    4K

    Online Degrees

    BS in Electronics Systems Engineering Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  10. #9

    National University

    La Jolla , CA
    #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Strategic Communications Degree Programs #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in California 2023 #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in California #3 Most Affordable Early Childhood Education Bachelor's (Online, On-Campus)
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    55%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    25K

    Online Degrees

    BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Completion time: 4.5-5.5 years
    • Format: Online
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Online Electrical Engineering Programs Looking for You

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Online College-Bound Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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