Online Engineering Bachelor’s Degree
Overview
Engineering dominates nearly every list of bachelor’s degrees that offer a high return on investment, in part because of the skyrocketing need for workers skilled in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Because of the high demand, graduates with a bachelor’s in most engineering specialties see mid-career earnings of at least $90,000, with degrees focused on petroleum, aerospace, chemical, nuclear, electrical, and computer engineering being the most lucrative, according to PayScale, an online salary database.
- Find a Program for You
-
Get Matched U.S. News University Directory can match you with online programs that meet your criteria in a few simple steps.
Coursework
| Potential specializations | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer engineering | |||||||||
| Electrical engineering | |||||||||
| Environmental engineering | |||||||||
| Mechanical engineering | |||||||||
| Civil engineering | |||||||||
| Aerospace engineering | |||||||||
| Construction engineering | |||||||||
| Petroleum engineering | |||||||||
| Software engineering | |||||||||
Students enrolled in an online bachelor’s in engineering program should expect a course load heavy in advanced mathematics and science, with specific course offerings varying by specialty.
Common courses for online electrical engineering students, for example, include linear electric circuits; structural dynamics; and stoichiometry, which deals with the chemistry of chemical reactions. Computer engineering courses, on the other hand, may include microprocessor systems design and digital systems structure, while environmental engineering students may take classes in thermodynamics or groundwater hydraulics.
Job Outlook
| Mid-career median salaries* | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil engineer | $88,800 | ||||||||
| Environmental engineer | $89,700 | ||||||||
| Software engineer | $90,700 | ||||||||
| Mechanical engineer | $98,400 | ||||||||
| Computer engineer | $105,000 | ||||||||
| Electrical engineer | $106,000 | ||||||||
| Chemical engineer | $111,000 | ||||||||
| Aerospace engineer | $118,000 | ||||||||
| Petroleum engineer | $163,000 | ||||||||
*per PayScale.com
Experts estimate as many as 3 million STEM jobs sit vacant, and that number is expected to rise exponentially in the coming years. This means employers are competing for top engineering talent, and it is common for skilled students to field job offers before graduation. Mid-career median salaries for students with a bachelor’s in engineering vary by specialty.
