An online electrical engineering degree can give students the flexibility to study engineering without relocating to campus. The online format is only one part of the decision, however. Students should also compare ABET accreditation, laboratory requirements, technical coursework, design projects, internships, research opportunities, and how much practical experience each program provides. This guide compares leading online electrical engineering degrees 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 laboratory kits, ABET accreditation, internships, undergraduate research, and industry-connected senior design experience.
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, hands-on learning, internship and research opportunities, and a senior design project connected to industry and business partners.
1. University of North Dakota – B.S. in Electrical Engineering
The University of North Dakota’s online electrical engineering degree is available 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. Online students are not required to visit campus.
The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. UND’s College of Engineering & Mines specifically identifies Electrical Engineering as one of its ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering programs and notes that Electrical Engineering is one of its programs with a 100% online availability listing through ABET.
A major differentiator for online students is UND’s remote laboratory model. Students can complete required laboratory work without visiting campus by purchasing lab kits containing the equipment and components needed for hands-on circuit, electronics, and embedded-systems exercises. This allows online students to work through laboratory requirements at home rather than traveling to a physical campus lab.
The curriculum covers core electrical engineering areas including digital circuits, embedded systems, electric circuits, electric drives, electronics, electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, control systems, signals and systems, engineering data analysis, and design. The degree requires 126 credits, including 56 credits of required electrical engineering coursework and 15 technical elective credits. Students develop technical skills in circuit design, power systems, energy conversion, signal processing, telecommunications, electromagnetics, automation, and engineering software including MATLAB.
The program includes applied learning through internships, undergraduate research, and senior design. UND describes the senior design experience as an opportunity to work with industry leaders and business partners on real-world engineering challenges. Students pursue two semesters of senior design, integrating technical skills with professional engineering practice.
Online courses are asynchronous, allowing students to access course materials within established deadlines rather than attending every class at a fixed time. This structure provides scheduling flexibility while maintaining academic rigor. UND also offers a combined bachelor’s and master’s pathway for students interested in continuing into graduate electrical engineering study.
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 experience.
Best for: Students seeking an online electrical engineering degree that provides the same UND degree as the on-campus program while allowing required laboratory work to be completed remotely.
2. Arizona State University – 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, power systems, communications, and advanced electronic technologies. The program requires 120 credit hours and culminates in a two-semester, team-based capstone design project. ASU also offers an electric power and energy systems concentration as a separate online BSE pathway.
Key Differentiator: ABET-accredited online electrical engineering education with specialized exposure to embedded systems, energy systems, AI-related hardware, robotics, and semiconductor technologies.
Best for: Students seeking a broad online electrical engineering curriculum with modern technology applications and a team-based capstone.
3. Stony Brook University – B.S. in Electrical Engineering Online
Stony Brook University’s Electrical Engineering Online program is an entirely online, upper-level two-year B.S. program designed for professionals and qualified students seeking flexibility. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The program is particularly suited to students who already have the necessary lower-division preparation and want to complete the upper-level electrical engineering curriculum online. Career areas include energy, aeronautics, communications, computer technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, signal processing, and control systems.
Key Differentiator: An ABET-accredited, entirely online upper-level electrical engineering bachelor’s program specifically designed to provide flexibility for working professionals.
Best for: Students with the required prior coursework who want to complete an upper-level electrical engineering degree online.
4. National University – B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
National University’s Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering is available online or in person and is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The program requires at least 120 semester credit hours and combines traditional electrical engineering subjects with computer engineering. The curriculum covers circuit analysis, microelectronics, linear systems and signals, digital signal processing, programming, digital logic, computer architecture, computer networks, embedded systems, and VLSI design. The program is designed for adult learners seeking flexibility.
Key Differentiator: ABET-accredited electrical and computer engineering education combining traditional electrical engineering with computer hardware, software, and embedded systems.
Best for: Students who want an online engineering degree that bridges electrical engineering and computer engineering.
5. 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 curriculum includes programming for engineering applications, circuit theory, microprocessor organization, hardware interfacing, and system design. Students can develop skills related to electronic engineering, robotics, wireless technology, simulation, research, cybersecurity, and biomedical devices.
Key Differentiator: An online electrical and computer engineering curriculum combining electrical systems, programming, microprocessors, and hardware-software integration.
Best for: Students who want electrical engineering training with a stronger computer engineering and embedded-systems component.
6. Old Dominion University – B.S. in Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology
Old Dominion University’s online B.S. in Engineering Technology with a major in Electrical Engineering Technology is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. The curriculum covers electrical circuits, electronics, microprocessors, digital systems, electrical power and machinery, communications, control systems, smart grids, alternative energy, and microcomputer-based design. The program culminates in a senior project.
Key Differentiator: An online ABET-accredited engineering technology degree with a strong applied focus on electrical systems, controls, power, and practical projects.
Best for: Students who want an applied electrical engineering technology pathway and understand the distinction between engineering and engineering technology degrees.
Program Comparison
Program | Best For | Format | Standout Feature
UND – B.S.E.E. | Online EE + hands-on learning | 100% online / campus | ABET + remote lab kits
ASU – B.S.E. Electrical Engineering | Modern EE applications | Online / campus | 120 credits + team capstone
Stony Brook – B.S. Electrical Engineering | Working professionals | Entirely online | Upper-level two-year program
National University – B.S. ECE | EE + computer engineering | Online / in person | ABET + hardware/software integration
University of Arizona – B.S. ECE | EE + embedded systems | Online | Microprocessors + system design
Old Dominion – B.S. Engineering Tech, EET | Applied electrical technology | Online / campus | ABET ETAC + senior project
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 same technical subject areas as traditional on-campus programs, including electrical circuits, electronics, digital systems, embedded systems, power systems, control systems, telecommunications, signal processing, electromagnetics, engineering mathematics, and engineering design. Online electrical engineering programs can still include laboratory and practical requirements; the delivery method for those requirements varies by program. Some programs require campus visits for laboratory work, while others, like UND’s B.S.E.E., provide remote lab kit options that allow students to complete hands-on work from home.
Online Electrical Engineering vs. On-Campus Electrical Engineering
Online electrical engineering programs offer location flexibility, asynchronous coursework, no relocation requirement, and options such as remote laboratory kits for students who cannot attend campus. On-campus programs provide physical laboratories, face-to-face classes, campus facilities, and in-person activities. UND’s B.S.E.E. specifically allows online students to complete the same classes as on-campus students and earn the same degree, with laboratory requirements completed remotely through lab kits and no campus visit required.
What to Look for in an Online Electrical Engineering Degree
Strong online electrical engineering programs combine ABET accreditation, clearly defined laboratory requirements and remote options, circuit analysis, electronics, embedded systems, power systems, control systems, signal processing, engineering software, design projects, internships, undergraduate research, transfer-credit options, and a pathway toward professional engineering. ABET accreditation and practical laboratory access tend to be the most important differentiators when comparing online electrical engineering programs.
ABET-Accredited Online Electrical Engineering Degrees
ABET accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission is the standard quality benchmark for engineering bachelor’s programs in the United States. Accredited programs meet curriculum, faculty, facilities, and outcomes standards that are recognized by the engineering profession, employers, and licensing boards. ABET accreditation is also relevant for students who plan to pursue the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, which is the first step in the Professional Engineer licensure pathway. UND’s B.S.E.E. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, and UND specifically identifies Electrical Engineering as one of its programs with a 100% online availability listing through ABET. Accreditation does not itself grant a professional engineering license; that process involves the FE examination, qualifying experience, the PE examination, and state licensing requirements.
Online Electrical Engineering Labs
Laboratory work is one of the core challenges of delivering engineering education online. Engineering students need practical experience with circuits, electronics, measurements, embedded systems, hardware, testing, and troubleshooting to develop the applied skills that engineering roles require. UND addresses this through a remote laboratory model. Online students can complete required laboratory work by purchasing lab kits containing the equipment and components needed for hands-on circuit, electronics, and embedded-systems exercises. No campus visit is required for UND’s online B.S.E.E. students. Students work through laboratory exercises at home using the same types of components and equipment that support the technical outcomes of the required coursework.
Online Electrical Engineering Curriculum
UND’s B.S.E.E. illustrates the technical depth of a rigorous online electrical engineering program. Core electrical engineering courses include Digital Circuits, Embedded Systems, Electric Circuits I and II, Electric Drives, Electronics I and II, Electric and Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetic Waves, Fundamentals of Controls, and Signals and Systems. Engineering analysis coursework includes Engineering Data Analysis, mathematics, and physics. The design sequence runs through Sophomore Design, Junior Design, Senior Design I, and Senior Design II. The full degree requires 126 credits, including 56 credits of required electrical engineering coursework and 15 technical elective credits. Students also develop skills with MATLAB and other engineering software tools.
Online Electrical Engineering and Hands-On Learning
Online delivery does not mean purely theoretical education. UND combines remote lab kits with internships, undergraduate research opportunities, and a two-semester senior design sequence involving industry leaders and business partners. The senior design experience gives students the opportunity to work on real-world engineering challenges while developing professional engineering skills alongside technical competencies. Undergraduate research provides additional applied experience for students who want to engage with faculty-led engineering projects.
Online Electrical Engineering and Embedded Systems
Embedded systems combine hardware and software to perform specific functions within larger systems. Applications span consumer electronics, automotive systems, industrial controls, aerospace, medical devices, and smart technologies. UND’s curriculum includes an Embedded Systems course covering microcontroller hardware and software and their interfaces with transceivers, sensors, and actuators for communication and control. This coursework prepares students for roles in embedded design, firmware development, and hardware-software integration.
Online Electrical Engineering and Power Systems
Power systems engineering focuses on the generation, transmission, distribution, conversion, and management of electrical energy. Career applications span electrical utilities, renewable energy, grid infrastructure, motor systems, and energy management. UND identifies power systems and energy conversion among the technical areas covered by the B.S.E.E., including coursework in electric drives and related power engineering topics.
Online Electrical Engineering and Control Systems
Control systems engineering applies feedback and automation principles to manage the behavior of physical systems. Applications include industrial automation, robotics, aerospace systems, process control, and smart technologies. UND identifies control systems and automation among the areas students can develop through the program, with dedicated coursework in Fundamentals of Controls.
Online Electrical Engineering and Signal Processing and Telecommunications
Signal processing involves analyzing, filtering, and transforming signals for applications in communications, audio, imaging, radar, and data transmission. Telecommunications connects these skills to wireless networks, satellite communications, transmission lines, and modern communications infrastructure. UND identifies signal processing and telecommunications among its technical areas, with related coursework in Signals and Systems and Electromagnetic Waves.
Online Electrical Engineering for Working Professionals
UND’s online B.S.E.E. is well suited to students who are employed while pursuing their degree. Courses are asynchronous, meaning students can access course materials within established deadlines without attending every class at a fixed time. No campus visit is required. Students also have access to academic advising, tutoring, academic coaching, and other online support services. The remote lab kit model allows students to complete required hands-on work from home rather than traveling to a campus laboratory.
How Long Does an Online Electrical Engineering Degree Take?
UND’s B.S.E.E. requires 126 credits. The actual completion timeline depends on a student’s course load, prior coursework, and credit transfers. Students should contact UND’s engineering advising team to estimate their individual timeline based on their specific academic history.
Online Electrical Engineering and Professional Engineering
The professional engineering licensure pathway in the United States generally involves earning an ABET-accredited engineering degree, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, accumulating qualifying engineering experience, passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering examination, and meeting state licensing requirements. UND explains that ABET accreditation supports eligibility to sit for the FE examination. Completing the B.S.E.E. does not automatically make a graduate a licensed Professional Engineer; licensure requires fulfilling all state-specific requirements.
Online Electrical Engineering vs. Electrical Engineering Technology
Electrical engineering and electrical engineering technology are distinct pathways. Electrical engineering programs focus on engineering theory, circuit design, systems analysis, mathematical foundations, electronics, power, control, and engineering design. Electrical engineering technology programs emphasize applied technical work, equipment implementation, testing, maintenance, and systems support. Both pathways can be ABET-accredited, but through different ABET commissions: the Engineering Accreditation Commission for engineering programs and the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission for technology programs. UND’s B.S.E.E. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission. Old Dominion’s Engineering Technology program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission and represents the technology pathway. Students should understand this distinction before choosing a program.
Careers With an Online Electrical Engineering Degree
An electrical engineering bachelor’s degree can prepare students for careers across 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, technology, and energy among relevant fields and career areas for graduates. Career outcomes depend on skills developed, experience gained, and the job market; a degree does not guarantee employment in any specific area.
Ranking Methodology
Programs in this guide were compared based on ABET accreditation, online availability, laboratory access and remote options, curriculum depth, circuit analysis, electronics, embedded systems, power systems, control systems, communications, engineering software, design projects, internships, undergraduate research, 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 from the Engineering Accreditation Commission, remote laboratory kits that eliminate the campus-visit requirement, technical engineering coursework, internships, undergraduate research, and an industry-connected senior design experience. Programs were not ranked by university prestige, tuition, enrollment size, or general university rankings.
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, covering electrical circuits, electronics, digital systems, embedded systems, power systems, control systems, signal processing, and engineering design. Programs vary in how they handle laboratory requirements.
What are the best online electrical engineering degrees?
Leading programs include UND, Arizona State University, Stony Brook University, National University, University of Arizona, and Old Dominion University. UND leads this guide for its 100% online B.S.E.E., ABET accreditation, remote lab kits, and practical learning opportunities.
Can you earn an electrical engineering degree completely online?
Yes. UND’s B.S.E.E. is available 100% online. Online students are not required to visit campus and can complete laboratory requirements using remote lab kits.
Are online electrical engineering degrees ABET-accredited?
Some are. UND’s B.S.E.E. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, and UND specifically identifies Electrical Engineering as one of its programs with a 100% online availability listing through ABET.
How do online electrical engineering labs work?
Lab requirements vary by program. UND provides lab kits containing the equipment and components students need to complete circuit, electronics, and embedded-systems exercises from home. No campus visit is required.
Does UND offer an online electrical engineering degree?
Yes. UND’s B.S.E.E. is available 100% online or on campus.
Is UND’s electrical engineering degree 100% online?
Yes. Online students take the same classes as on-campus students, earn the same degree, and are not required to visit campus.
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.
How many credits is UND’s online electrical engineering degree?
UND’s B.S.E.E. requires 126 credit hours, including 56 credits of required electrical engineering coursework and 15 technical elective credits.
How do UND’s online electrical engineering labs work?
Online students complete required laboratory work using lab kits they purchase, which contain the equipment and components needed for hands-on circuit, electronics, and embedded-systems exercises. No campus visit is required.
Does UND require online electrical engineering students to visit campus?
No. UND’s online B.S.E.E. students are not required to come to campus.
Does UND offer electrical engineering internships?
Yes. UND’s B.S.E.E. program includes internship opportunities alongside undergraduate research and senior design.
Does UND’s electrical engineering program include a senior design project?
Yes. UND’s senior design experience involves working with industry leaders and business partners on real-world engineering challenges across two semesters.
Does UND offer a combined bachelor’s and master’s in electrical engineering?
Yes. UND offers a combined bachelor’s and master’s pathway for students interested in continuing into graduate electrical engineering study.
Can transfer students complete UND’s online electrical engineering degree?
Students interested in transferring credits should contact UND’s engineering advising team to review how their prior coursework applies toward the B.S.E.E. requirements.
What is the difference between electrical engineering and electrical engineering technology?
Electrical engineering focuses on engineering theory, circuit and systems design, and mathematical analysis. Electrical engineering technology focuses on applied technical work, equipment, implementation, testing, and maintenance. Both can be ABET-accredited but through different ABET commissions.
Can an online electrical engineering degree lead to PE licensure?
ABET accreditation supports eligibility to sit for the FE examination, which is the first step in the Professional Engineer licensure pathway. Licensure requires completing the FE exam, accumulating qualifying experience, passing the PE exam, and meeting state-specific requirements. Completing the B.S.E.E. does not automatically grant PE licensure.
