Take the next step in your electrical engineering career. If you’re looking for a way to increase your knowledge and prepare for leadership roles in electrical engineering, then consider an online master’s in electrical engineering from a reputable program. Explore the features of highly rated programs, review common courses related to this degree, and find out how much an electrical engineering degree costs with this helpful guide.
What Is Electrical Engineering?
If you’re wondering, “Should I get a master’s in electrical engineering?”, consider the specific duties related to the field. As an engineer, you’ll need to be able to juggle responsibilities, pay attention to details, work well as a leader and team member, and have an understanding of electrical systems.
Electrical engineering covers electricity and electronics. This branch of engineering covers everything from microchips to industrial-scale power generators. As an electrical engineer, you may design, test, develop, or supervise the manufacturing of these and other electrical components:
- Power generation equipment
- Electrical motors
- Navigation systems
- Communication systems
- Broadcasting equipment
- Computer hardware
Why Get a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering?
What can you do with a master’s in electrical engineering? While many positions as an electrical engineer only require a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, a master’s degree can help you take the next step in your career. Studying at this level helps prepare you to develop new ideas, perform in-depth research, and lead teams of engineers.
Master’s in Electrical Engineering Salary
The median master’s in electrical engineering salary is about $100,000 per year as of April 2022. These median salaries are also affected by the type of position. You can strengthen your application for a raise, promotion, or new leadership position by showing your continued education and expertise.
How Much Does a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering Cost?
The cost of an online master’s degree in engineering is highly variable. Many institutions offer scholarships, grants, and other options to reduce the cost or completely fund the program. The cost can also vary significantly between public vs. private institutions and in-state vs. out-of-state tuition.
Typically, an online master’s in electrical engineering can cost between $15,000 and $49,000 for the total tuition across two or three years of study, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Is a Master’s in Electrical Engineering Worth it?
Consider your career goals as you review the cost of each program. Determine whether the skills, practice, and prestige that come with a master’s degree are worth it for your career goals.
10 Electrical Engineering Online Master’s Degree Programs
As you consider the best online master’s in electrical engineering for your situation, explore these 10 programs. Look for an online electrical engineering degree with ABET accreditation, like the Arizona State University program, or find one with other accreditations and notable faculty.
Arizona State University – Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
The online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree offered by Arizona State University includes 10 classes, totaling 30 credits. It covers advanced topics in the field, including nanostructures, microelectronics, circuit theory, energy systems, and more.
Arizona State University estimates that the resident tuition of this online program is approximately $17,200 for an academic year. ASU reports that its online faculty are 55% women and 78% of the total faculty have the highest attainable degree in their specific field.
Colorado State University – Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Apply to the Colorado State University program to join the 95% of CSU online graduates who have plans related to their careers. It takes just two years to complete this master’s degree program, which offers a flexible curriculum. Choose courses from diverse topics such as optical properties of nanostructures, grid integration of wind energy systems, or high-power pulse electronics engineering concepts.
This online program costs $705 per credit and requires at least 30 credits to be eligible for a degree. You can enroll in either the fall or the spring semester.
Columbia University – Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Join the prestigious Columbia University as an online student of electrical engineering. This competitive master’s degree program requires a minimum GPA of 3.0, A GRE score, and three letters of recommendation. Tuition per credit hour was $2,272 for the 2021 to 2022 academic year.
Columbia University offers the following concentrations for master’s degree students:
- Wireless and mobile communications
- Integrated circuits and systems
- Lightwave (photonics) engineering
- Multimedia networking
- Microelectronic devices
- Systems biology and neuroengineering
Georgia Institute of Technology – Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
At Georgia Tech, your online electrical engineering degree dives into technical interest areas related to your specific passion and career trajectory. Study electrical energy, electronic design, bioengineering, or electromagnetics to prepare for a research or leadership role.
The faculty at Georgia Tech has won many awards and been inducted into many prestigious groups. Train under leaders in electrical engineering as you explore specializations and areas of interest.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh – Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Dive into power systems, power electronics, signal processing, nanoelectronics, and other expertise areas through the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering program at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. You’ll need a former bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering, as well as a competitive GPA, GRE scores, and three letters of recommendation, to be considered.
Tuition rates vary depending on the number of course hours per semester and whether you’re a North Carolina resident. The program requires at least 31 credit hours at the graduate level to earn a master’s degree.
Ohio University – Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Explore electrical engineering online through Ohio University to study one of these concentrations:
- Communications and digital signal processing
- Electrical engineering
- Computer engineering
- Micro-nano devices and systems
- Electronic navigation systems
- Autonomous unmanned vehicles
This program is led by Dr. Micheal Braasch, an electrical engineering professor with a background in navigation engineering. The 100% online program dives into concepts of navigation as they relate to electrical engineering but also covers other essential elements of the discipline.
Purdue University – Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Similar to other highly rated programs, Purdue University combines both electrical and computer engineering into one master’s degree program. You can earn this degree fully online by taking 30 credits. See for yourself why U.S. News and World Report regularly rank Purdue as one of the top 10 programs for online graduate degrees in engineering.
Train under reputable faculty members from various electrical engineering career paths. Purdue University offers topical course areas to study, including fields and optics, automatic controls, energy sources and systems, and communications and networking.
Stanford University – Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Study online with Stanford University to learn from leading faculty in the field of electrical engineering. This course not only provides an excellent foundation of electrical engineering concepts but dives into leading research and the latest developments in the field.
Tuition rates are currently set at $1,352 per unit, with 45 units required to graduate and be awarded a master’s degree. This program is typically taken part-time and takes between three and five years for most students to complete.
University of Florida – Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Learn from the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Florida through the Electronic Delivery of Gator Engineering (EDGE) program. EDGE offers a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering that requires 30 credits to complete. Tuition rates for the 2021 and 2022 academic years were $501.38 per credit hour for Florida residents and $725.75 for out-of-state residents.
Consider this program to learn courses ranging from the foundations of digital signal processing to advanced antenna systems. The University of Florida also offers hybrid options if you’re interested in taking some courses on campus.
University of Southern California – Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Discover how the University of Southern California program prepares you for industrial, governmental, and entrepreneurial positions in the field. The Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers courses in photonics, computer-aided design, control systems, very-large-scale integration, quantum information processing, and more.
As an online student at the University of Southern California, you’ll study under the same highly qualified faculty and pursue the same Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree offered to on-campus students. The estimated tuition per semester for graduate students at USC is approximately $30,200 in 2022. There are financing options available based on student need and merit.
Common Courses in Master’s in Electrical Engineering Degree Programs
Check each program to determine the specific master’s in electrical engineering requirements for your degree. Most programs include courses and/or specializations in the following areas:
- Telecommunications
- Nanoscale computer technology
- Electromagnetics
- Systems and controls
- Optics and photonics
- Very-large-scale integration
- Quantum information processing
Other FAQs About Master’s in Electrical Engineering Degrees and Programs
How Much Do Master’s in Electrical Engineering Graduates Typically Earn in Salary?
According to PayScale, graduates of a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering program earn a median pay of about $100,000 per year as of April 2022.
What Is the Job Outlook for Master’s in Electrical Engineering Graduates?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the number of electrical and electronics engineers is expected to increase by 7% between 2020 and 2030. This means the industry can expect an additional 20,400 jobs to be created in the decade, which is about as fast as the average employment change.
What Are Some Jobs That Require a Master’s in Electrical Engineering Degree?
Consider this degree if you wish to advance in your career as an electrical engineer. A master’s degree can help you pursue research opportunities, move into leadership positions, or prepare for entrepreneurial roles. It can also give you a competitive edge during the application process and when requesting a raise.
Are There Specializations Associated With a Master’s in Electrical Engineering Degree?
Electrical engineering master’s degrees can include specializations in telecommunications, computer engineering, lightwave (photonics) engineering, systems biology and neuroengineering, and other areas.
Sources:
PayScale, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
PayScale, Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
U.S. News and World Report, Online Electrical Engineering Master’s Degree