The best schools for electrical engineering will help you learn the necessary skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in the field. We have assembled this detailed guide to the best electrical engineering schools to help you make an informed decision about your future.
The best electrical engineering universities will equip you for the highest-paying jobs and attractive salaries. Knowing which degree level and what career path you want are essential factors to consider when searching for the best electrical engineering colleges. Find out which possible schools for the college of engineering may suit your needs.
Best Electrical Engineering College and University Rankings: Top 10 Electrical Engineering Schools at a Glance
| School | State | Formats Available | US News Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | In-person, online | #99 |
| Baylor University | Waco, TX | In-person | #75 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | In-person | #25 |
| Columbia University | New York, NY | In-person, online | #2 |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | In-person, online | #17 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | In-person | #2 |
| Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN | In-person, online | #196 |
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | In-person, online, hybrid | #6 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | In-person | #38 |
| University of Houston | Houston, TX | In-person, online, hybrid | #179 |
Electrical Engineering School Rankings: Best Electrical Engineering Colleges and Universities
Students wanting to become electrical engineers and gain practical experience solving real-world problems in the engineering discipline can find many competitive and respected electrical engineering programs. Undergraduate and graduate students looking for electrical engineering degrees have loads of options, and you can see some of the best ones below.
Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs
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The Best Schools for Electrical Engineering: Types of College Degrees and University Programs Offered
The various types of credentials available can make it challenging to decide the best option for you. Community colleges, universities, and numerous other education providers offer a variety of electrical engineering degrees. Below is a summary of community college certificates, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate degrees, and graduate certificates.
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Comparing Popular Degree Options
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Best Electrical Engineering Schools: Other Electrical Engineering University Rankings
Looking for the right electrical engineering degree may be confusing if you don’t know what kind of school you want to attend or in what format. Below, we list the best online and in-person institutions to get you on track to start your electrical engineering career. We also include information about the best schools for dual degrees and accelerated degrees in electrical engineering.
Best Online Electrical Engineering Schools
- Arizona State University Online. ASU Online has been recognized by US News & World Report as the number one most innovative school and ranked the number six best school for bachelor’s programs in the US. There are multiple topics of study available for online education, including electrical engineering.
- Florida International University. This school has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching with an R1 Carnegie ranking. This is distinction few other universities can match. It offers 16 engineering paths, including electrical engineering.
- Stony Brook University. Forbes had recognized Stony Brook University as the 29th best value college in the US. US News & World Report ranks it as the number 38 top public school in the US.
Best Community Colleges for Electrical Engineering
- CUNY LaGuardia Community College. CUNY LaGuardia Community College is one of the best community colleges in New York state. The school offers an electrical engineering degree among many other topics of study.
- El Paso Community College. This community college offers an Associate of Science in Electrical Engineering. It is meant to act as a stepping stone for students interested in transferring to bachelor’s degree programs but it can also qualify graduates for entry-level engineering jobs.
- Mt. San Antonio College. This school’s engineering program offers many different pathways to students. The electrical engineering and engineering technology pathway takes two to three years to complete.
Best Undergraduate Schools for Electrical Engineering
- Carnegie Mellon University. Carnegie Mellon is known for its research in healthcare, engineering, and computer science. Its college of engineering focuses on electrical and computer engineering. It’s a great place to begin your electrical engineering journey.
- Cornell University. Cornell is an elite university known for its high-quality, rigorous academic programs. It offers a bachelor’s program in electrical and computer engineering.
- The University of Texas at Austin. This university is home to one of the best electrical engineering undergraduate programs in the US. The undergraduate program for electrical and computer engineering is focused on hands-on, experiential learning.
Best Graduate Schools for Electrical Engineering
- California Institute of Technology. This school offers a one-year Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. The admissions process is rigorous and admission is only granted to a limited number of students each year. US News & World Report ranks Caltech as number seven in its list of Best Engineering Schools.
- University of California, Berkeley. UC Berkeley is one of the best graduate schools for electrical engineering. Its engineering and computer science department allows students enrolled in its electrical engineering master’s program to choose a specialization in either engineering or computer.
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. This university offers students the option to pursue a Master of Science (MS) or a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The MS degree allows students to select from 12 specializations and the MEng offers three specializations.
Best Electrical Engineering Schools With Dual Degree Programs
- Duke University | Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering Double Major. This dual degree program offered through Duke University’s school of engineering consists of 37 credits from both programs for a total of 74 credits. It should take four years to complete.
- Johns Hopkins University | Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s in Engineering. This two-in-one program allows you to pursue both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Engineering at the same time. This type of program can be considered for management positions in the field. The school also has a combined bachelor’s and MBA Program.
- Stanford University | Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and MBA. Stanford’s School of Engineering requires a total of 129 credits across both programs. The dual degree takes three years to complete.
Best Schools With Accelerated Electrical Engineering Programs
- Binghamton University | Bachelor and Master of Electrical Engineering, accelerated 4+1 degree programs. Binghamton University’s graduate school of engineering offers several types of accelerated degree programs that students can complete in five years. Binghamton University offers both accelerated bachelor’s and master’s programs.
- Boise State University | Bachelor and Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering. These accelerated degrees allow exceptional electrical engineering students to pursue a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science. Their studies can be completed in five years.
- University of California, Berkeley | Master of Engineering with Electrical Engineering concentration. University of California, Berkeley offers a Master of Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Signal Processing and Communications. Students can complete the program in one year instead of two.
Easy Colleges to Get Into
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Is Graduate School for Electrical Engineering Worth It?
Yes, graduate school for electrical engineering is worth it. According to Statista, an electrical engineering master’s degree is one of the top six degrees being pursued by graduate students in the US. Engineering jobs are also some of the highest-paying information technology jobs available.
Statista also illustrates that a PhD holder can earn approximately $60,000 more annually than someone with only a bachelor’s degree. The higher your degree, the higher your potential salary.
What Jobs Can You Do With an Electrical Engineering Degree?
The jobs you can do with an electrical engineering degree include machine learning engineer, digital signal processing engineer, computer hardware engineer, electronics design engineer, and applications engineer.
The best schools for electrical engineering can set you on the right track to achieve these jobs.
The study of electrical systems, electronics engineering, mobile engineering, digital systems, and design experience help students get jobs with excellent salaries and advance their careers.
How Much Can I Earn With a Degree in Electrical Engineering?
According to PayScale, the average salary of someone with an Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering is $65,000 per year. Although an associate degree is enough to get entry-level jobs in this field, pursuing higher education will elevate your earning potential. A Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering holder earns an average of $91,000 per year.
Graduate degrees qualify you for higher-paying jobs and higher earning potential. The average salary for someone with a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering is $100,000 per year. Note that your expertise level, location, and job duties affect the level of pay you can expect.
Highest-Paying Electrical Engineering Careers
| Profession | Minimum Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Hardware Engineer | Bachelor’s degree | $128,170 |
| Software Engineer | Bachelor’s degree | $110,140 |
| Digital Signal Processing Engineer | Bachelor’s degree | $101,780 |
| Electronics Design Engineer | Bachelor’s degree | $101,780 |
| Mechanical Engineer | Bachelor’s degree | $95,300 |
| Production Engineer | Bachelor’s degree | $95,300 |
| Systems Engineer | Bachelor’s degree | $81,283 |
| Communication Engineer | Bachelor’s degree | $80,000 |
| Electrical Engineering Professor | PhD or doctorate | $79,640 |
| Applications Engineer | Bachelor’s degree | $73,774 |
Best Jobs With an Electrical Engineering Degree
The best jobs with an electrical engineering degree are competitive, technical careers. Most of these jobs require a minimum education qualification of a bachelor’s degree, although a master’s or PhD will allow you to climb up in the company. An electrical engineering career can give you access to high-paying salaries ranging between $73,774 and $128,170.
Your degree level, whether associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, may affect your salary. Careers in this field include computer hardware engineering, digital signal processing engineering, and electrical engineering education. Read below for more information about each of these levels of education’s job prospects.
How Can I Pay for Electrical Engineering School?
You can pay for electrical engineering school through a variety of means. There are various funding opportunities for electrical engineering students at each degree level that can make all the difference in tuition costs.
In some cases, scholarships, grants, assistantships, and loans can completely cover higher education costs. Statista shows that a whopping $58 billion was awarded in institutional grants for higher education in 2021.
- Scholarships. Scholarships are a defined amount of money awarded to a student to pay for tuition and related education expenses. They do not need to be paid back. Requirements and terms of eligibility vary depending on the institution but are usually on a merit basis.
- Grants. A grant is an amount of money provided by the school or the federal government. This is a gift and doesn’t require paying back. However, some terms and conditions must be fulfilled to be eligible. These are usually provided on a financial-need basis and may be used to pay education-related expenses like fees, housing, boarding, and tuition.
- Student employment and assistantships. Student employment is a program in which a student works for a company and in return, they pay for part of their schooling. Assistantships are usually exclusive to graduate electrical engineering students and payment is generally in the form of a tuition waiver.
- Student Loans. Various student loans can be applied for via the school, the federal government, and outside companies. Loans have interest rates and need to be paid back to the loaning party. Initial deposits may be applicable.
How to Pay for Your Chosen School Education Path
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Choosing the Best Electrical Engineering School for You
To choose the best electrical engineering school for you, you should consider accreditation, flexibility and format, cost, career services, and degrees offered. By using these factors to review each program carefully, you should be able to determine the best school for electrical engineering for you.
Accreditation
It’s essential for prospective electrical engineers to make sure their chosen school is accredited, recognized, and respected in the electrical engineering field. A degree from an unaccredited school would be of little value in the job market and might not have an updated, industry-relevant curriculum.
Flexibility and Format
Flexibility and format are important factors for you if you are a busy professional. Many schools offer electrical engineering students online, hybrid, and in-person formats. This way, you can control your schedule while attending to your day-to-day responsibilities.
Cost
Electrical engineering schools cost a lot of money. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) states that the average cost of tuition at a public school is $9,400 per year. Do as much research as possible on tuition rates and scholarship opportunities to choose a school that’s within your price range.
Career Services
The best electrical engineering school provides career services that can help you land the electrical engineering job of your dreams with a high-paying salary. They may provide resume writing tips, cover letter advice, mock interviews for preparation, and handshake meetings.
Degree Levels Offered
Knowing the degree path you intend to pursue is the first thing you need to decide. If you want to complete a bachelor’s degree, you would only search for the best electrical engineering bachelor’s programs in this case. Or, if you ultimately want to achieve a master’s degree, you can take advantage of accelerated or dual degree programs offered at your chosen school.
How to Get Into the Right School for Your Profession
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Does It Matter What College I Go to for Electrical Engineering?
Yes, it does matter what college you go to for electrical engineering. Many universities and programs are extensive and flexible. Schools offer different areas of specialization, so make sure to research properly to find the one that best suits you.
It’s vital to consider the degree level you want to achieve, the cost, the time limit you prefer, the areas of focus you want to pursue, and the research fields you wish to participate in. Each school has different career prospects and career services that you should consider for your future long-term goals.
Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees
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Electrical Engineering University Ranking Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Schools for Electrical Engineering
We ranked the best electrical engineering schools by consulting the university rankings conducted by US News & World Report and Times Higher Education. To further refine our electrical engineering university ranking methodology, we gave special consideration to things like reputation, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and breadth and depth of electrical engineering degree program offerings.
Additional Reading About Electrical Engineering
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Best Electrical Engineering Schools FAQ
Yes, you can get an electrical engineering job without a degree. Attending a bootcamp for technical education and certification can get you entry-level jobs. The best coding bootcamps offer flexible schedules, payment options, and career services.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest paying state for electrical engineering is California, followed by the District of Columbia and Washington state.
Yes, an online electrical engineering degree is respected if it is acquired from an accredited institution. Accredited online universities ensure that their remote degree programs provide the same quality of education as their in-person equivalents.
You can find electrical engineering jobs through many reputable job boards like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed. Internships and networking can also lead to employment opportunities in electrical engineering.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
