Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degrees: Best Programs, Jobs, and Salaries

Artificial intelligence, robotics, power systems, and motors have caused a stir in the field of engineering. Hiring companies are looking for the best professionals in the field to design, modify, and troubleshoot these areas of electrical engineering. This is why you should consider attending one of the best electrical engineering bachelor’s degree programs.

We curated a list of the best Bachelor’s Degrees in Electrical Engineering, potential career paths, and the benefits of attending a four-year degree program in electrical engineering. Whether you want to keep going after an associate degree program or are looking to change your career altogether, we’ve got what you’re looking for.

What Is Electrical Engineering?

Electrical engineers design, build, and maintain electrical equipment, devices, and systems. Electrical engineering has led to the construction and development of electric motors, electric generators, and transformers. Electrical engineers work with electricity in anything from microchips to large-scale generators.

If you have heard of Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Guglielmo Marconi, or Philo Farnsworth, you’re already familiar with electrical engineers. If you want to work in the field, however, you should learn what an electrical engineering bachelor’s degree can offer you.

What Is an Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree?

A

Bachelor’s Degree

in Electrical Engineering is a four-year academic program that teaches undergraduate students the principles of electrical engineering. You can opt to either pursue a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering. Either of these degree programs will lead to the same types of jobs in engineering.

An electrical engineering student will learn about electrical machines, AC and DC motors, transformers, and generators. Mastery of these engineering concepts can lead to a wide range of career opportunities. You can choose to specialize in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, automotive engineering, or marine engineering.

Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

You need at least a high school diploma or equivalency to apply for an electrical engineering program. You will also need high scores in subjects such as math and physics. Degree requirements vary from one institution to another.

How Much Does an Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Cost?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), one year of enrollment in an

electrical engineering bachelor’s degree program will cost $19,081

. If you choose to live on campus, you could pay around $35,620 per year. Undergraduate programs for this career path are not cheap, so do as much research as possible to make a wise financial decision.

Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Financing Options: How to Pay for Your Electrical Engineering Degree

There are plenty of electrical engineering bachelor’s degree financing options. To pay for your four-year degree, you can look for scholarships, federal grants, or student loans. You can check with the admissions department at your chosen school to find out more.

According to NCES,


2,072,158 students who enrolled for degree programs between 2018 and 2019

received financial aid

. This is out of the 2,471,470 students who registered for the degree programs. Most schools have a tuition calculator so students can figure out the full-time tuition fees and decide how much financial aid they’ll need.

Best Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Electrical Engineering: Top Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Programs

To navigate the field of electrical engineering, you should start by researching the top electrical engineering bachelor’s degree programs. Each of these programs features a top-notch curriculum that will give you an introduction to engineering and teach you valuable principles of engineering. Below is our list of the top 10 best undergraduate programs in the country.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering | Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Engineering school offers courses in computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, and social sciences. It allows students to choose specializations. This means you can design your curriculum to help you start a career as an electrical engineer, power systems engineer, automotive engineer, or audio engineer.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering | Cornell University

The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University will help you learn embedded processors, digital signaling processing, optical communications, and integrated circuit design. Whether you are interested in the Internet of Things, robotics, or artificial intelligence, the school of engineering will cover all your bases.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

An Embry-Riddle electrical engineering student explores concepts in energy sources, electronic devices, electromagnetic fields, circuit theory, and communication systems. This educational experience will help students develop a solid background to navigate the electrical engineering field.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | Gannon University

The accredited four-year degree program at Gannon University offers students an opportunity to learn about artificial intelligence, electrical devices, the Internet of Things, and robotics. This program will take you through the design and development process of technologies in the field. You will also learn programming languages and design tools.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | Portland State University

Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University offers a four-year degree to help students develop practical skills in the field of engineering. In the program, you will cover subjects like signal processing, communications, electrical power, and power systems.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | San Diego State University

This Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering program equips students with the skills needed to solve problems in engineering. The program will help develop a solid foundation in math and science. This means you will cover calculus, physics, chemistry, electromagnetics, power systems, biomedical instrumentation, optical electronics, and digital circuit design.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | University of Southern Indiana

This four-year degree program in electrical engineering by the University of Southern Indiana will teach you electronic components, computer architecture, control systems, electrical circuits, and power systems. The campus designed the program to have only 24 students per class, which means you will get the individualized attention you need to succeed.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | University of Texas at Austin

The Cockrell School Of Engineering at the University of Texas offers a four-year program to teach students the basics of electrical engineering. The degree program features solid concepts in math, science, and liberal arts. You will learn energy systems, signal processing, waves, and software engineering.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | University of the District of Columbia

The University of the District of Columbia offers a four-year degree in electrical engineering to provide students with hands-on experience. You will receive an opportunity to partner up with top agencies like NASA to get industry experience. The university also provides internship and career placement services that contribute to the success of its electrical engineering graduates.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | Washington State University

In this program by Washington State University, you will learn computer engineering, microelectronics, systems engineering, and nuclear power systems. You’ll develop a solid foundation in electrical engineering. You’ll learn about subjects like wireless communication, signal processing, circuits, and power relay systems.

Best Online Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Electrical Engineering: Top Online Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Programs

With online learning, there’s no need to quit your day job. There are online electrical engineering bachelor’s degree programs that offer the flexibility you need to launch your career in tech. The best colleges for electrical engineering are accredited and some offer continuing education through advanced degrees.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering | Arizona State University

In this online degree program, you will learn signal processing, electronics, algorithms, energy systems, and electric power systems. It’s an excellent program to help you launch your career in robotics or computing. You will learn math, science, and engineering design processes.

Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology | Eastern New Mexico University

This online bachelor’s degree program in electronics engineering can help you become an electrical engineer, electronics engineer, or quality control engineer. The curriculum covers computer systems design, electronic circuits, controls, and instrumentation.

Eastern New Mexico University provides three different concentrations for the electronic engineering online degree. There is also an option for you to combine the specializations. Eastern New Mexico University provides free job placement services. Through these services, you will go through interview preparation sessions and receive resume writing help.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | Florida International University

To

learn electrical engineering

, you’ll need to know the concepts of electromagnetism, electricity, and electronics. You can enroll in Florida International University Online’s bachelor’s degree program in electrical engineering to learn about these concepts.

The 128-credit hour program features different areas of specialization. They are bio-engineering, communications, autonomous systems, data system software, embedded system software, network security, and digital forensics. The degree program also features a pre-medical track which would be an excellent avenue to pursue a career in medicine.

Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology | Grantham University

Grantham University features a four-year degree program in electronics engineering that can help you launch a career in electrical engineering. An electronics engineering degree can pave the way for you to start your career as an electrical engineer. In the program, you will learn about transistors, conductors, and circuits.

Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering | Indiana State University

The four-year electronics engineering degree offered by Indiana State University can help you become an electronics engineer, electrical engineer, or controls engineer. The course is meant specifically for transfer students and provides wide coverage of technical areas, foundational studies, management, and computer science.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering | National University

National University prides itself on providing career-led education to students. If you complete this program, you can expect to learn how to design digital systems and create viable software. The entire program is based on computer engineering, therefore you will cover both hardware and software aspects of the systems.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology | Southern Illinois University

This is another school you should consider if you’ve already completed some college courses. To join Southern Illinois University’s four-year degree program in electrical engineering, you must have a background in mathematics or science. This will help you better understand the principles of electrical and electronics engineering.

This degree program will teach you about electronic circuits, electromagnetics, and power systems. If you want to pursue this option, you can contact the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics to enroll. You can also check their website to make sure you meet the minimum education requirement for their admission requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | Stony Brook University

Convenience meets flexibility at Stony Brook University’s Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering program. Electrical engineering students receive course instruction and extensive discussions online from the school’s faculty. In addition to Stony Brook staff members, the online program features instructors from different universities, including the University at Buffalo.

Bachelor of Science in Electronics Systems Engineering Technology | Thomas Edison State University

This program will take you through fundamental and advanced concepts in electronics systems engineering. The curriculum covers electric circuits, electrical devices, microprocessors, and communications electronics. To ensure you adhere to standard practice in your career, the program includes project management, occupational health and safety, and quality management.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | University of North Dakota

You can complete the University of Dakota’s online bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering program in four to five years. This 125-credit program helps students gain practical experience, leadership skills, and problem-solving capabilities to start their careers. To complete the program, you’ll need to learn Java and C++ programming languages.

What’s the Average Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Salary?

PayScale states that the average salary of a professional with a

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering is $90,000

. The salary potential can easily be increased by getting a master’s degree, gaining more experience, or getting a professional certification.

Top Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview

Best Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Jobs Explained

Engineering Manager

Engineering managers handle plans and engineering projects pertaining to new and existing products. They need experience in engineering, social sciences, financial management, and human resources to carry out the job responsibilities.

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer hardware engineers are in charge of researching, designing, and testing computer devices, systems, and components. They also troubleshoot problems with the hardware and make sure it’s working smoothly.

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineers are responsible for designing, testing, and improving military aircrafts. These engineers can choose to specialize in spacecraft or aircraft. Those who specialize in spacecraft are referred to as aerospace engineers, while those in the aircraft specialization are called aeronautical engineers.

Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear engineers contribute to the designing and development process of nuclear equipment. They design and maintain new systems, improve efficiency and increase the sustainability of nuclear systems.

Circuits Engineer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $109,533
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  7%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  313,200*
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  District of Columbia, California, New Jersey*

Circuits engineers design, develop, and troubleshoot circuit equipment. Using technological tools, they work on the electrical systems of a product or company. They can update existing systems when needed to ensure all equipment is up to date.

Electrical Engineer

Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and troubleshoot electrical components, devices, and systems. They may also work with communication systems, motors, and electrical systems for cars.

Electronics Engineer

Electronics engineers are in charge of creating, designing, and developing electronic devices. They can work on telecommunications systems, power, or robotic systems. They are also familiar with control systems, electronic equipment, and microelectronics.

Electrical Project Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $82,781
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  4%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  197,800
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  New Jersey, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas

Electrical project managers supervise the electrical projects of a company. These professionals manage staff, monitor resources, and oversee electrical project maintenance. Companies can rely on them to oversee the design and installation of electrical systems.

Power Systems Engineer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $81,255
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  7%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  313,200*
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  District of Columbia, California, New Jersey*

Power systems engineers typically work for companies in the energy industry. They’re in charge of systems for utility companies. They make adjustments to make sure the companies meet usage goals.

Controls Engineer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $77,878
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  7%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  313,200*
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  District of Columbia, California, New Jersey*

Controls engineers oversee all aspects of electronic equipment for a company. They handle everything from installing electrical power distribution systems to writing instruction manuals for those systems.

*Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics Data on Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Benefits of an Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree

An electrical engineering bachelor’s degree has a lot of advantages. Find out why you should pursue a four-year degree in electrical engineering below.

Benefits of an Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree

• 
  More job opportunities
  
  . Having a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering will put your resume at the top of any employer’s list of candidates.
• 
  Increased earning potential
  
  . A bachelor’s degree will help you get a higher-paying job than if you were to have an associate degree or no degree at all.
• 
  Increased self-esteem
  
  . When you complete your degree, you’ll be proud of yourself and the hard work you put into finishing it.
• 
  Networking opportunities
  
  . During your as a student, you will meet expert instructors with connections in the electrical engineering field, participate in internship programs, and network with people who can help you in your future job hunt.
• 
  Paves the way for a graduate degree
  
  . If you ever decide that you want to get a master’s degree, having a bachelor’s degree already will put you significantly ahead of the game.

Should You Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering?

Yes, you should get a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. A degree program will open up a ton of job opportunities and offer you the chance to network. With an ever-increasing list of resources to help you

learn electrical engineering

, now is the time to take that step.

Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree FAQ