Guides
Guides to Choosing an Online Engineering Degree
Plain explanations of online engineering degrees, labs and attendance, ABET accreditation, licensure, admissions and costs. Factual claims cite official sources with an access date; guides never promise admission, licensure, earnings or employment, and state licensing rules must always be checked with the state board.
Degrees & career paths
Civil vs. Architectural Engineering (and How Both Differ From Architecture)
How civil and architectural engineering degrees differ in scope and accreditation, why neither is an architecture degree, and what online civil and architectural options exist.
Computer vs. Electrical vs. Software Engineering (and Computer Science)
How electrical, computer and software engineering degrees differ in curriculum and accreditation, how all three differ from computer science, and what online programs offer.
Engineering vs. Engineering Technology
How engineering and engineering technology degrees differ in math, curriculum and ABET commission, how state licensure can treat them differently, and why we list them separately.
Marine vs. Ocean Engineering (and Naval Architecture)
How marine engineering, ocean engineering and naval architecture differ, how they differ from ocean science and marine biology, and what online options exist.
Mechanical vs. Mechatronics Engineering: How the Degrees Differ
How mechanical and mechatronics engineering differ in curriculum and accreditation, where robotics fits, and what that means when you compare online programs.
MS vs. MEng: Which Engineering Master's Fits?
How the Master of Science and Master of Engineering differ in research, thesis options, funding and the path to a PhD, plus how an engineering management master's compares.
Thesis vs. Non-Thesis Engineering Master's: How to Choose Online
How thesis, non-thesis, project and coursework-only options work in online engineering master's programs, how often each appears, and what to ask before choosing one.
Accreditation, fieldwork & licensure
ABET Accreditation for Online Programs
What ABET accreditation covers, how its commissions differ, how online delivery fits into an accredited program, how to check ABET's database and why graduate programs are rarely accredited.
Engineering Licensure and Online Degrees
How the PE license works when your degree is online: state boards, EAC/ABET accreditation, the FE and PE exams, experience, engineering technology degrees and licensure in more than one state.
Online Engineering Labs Explained
How online engineering programs handle lab work: home lab kits, remote access to campus equipment, simulation, weekend lab sessions and summer labs, with examples from schools' own pages.
Online Engineering PhD Attendance Requirements
What online engineering PhD programs say about campus visits, residency, where research happens, qualifying exams and dissertation defenses, with examples from programs' own pages.
Choosing a program
How to Choose an Online Engineering Degree
A practical checklist for comparing online engineering degrees: level, major, award type, campus visits and labs, ABET status, licensure plans, cost and your entry route.
Online Engineering Bachelor's vs. Degree Completion
How first-year, transfer and degree-completion routes into online engineering bachelor's programs differ, which prerequisites you may need to take elsewhere, and how to pick a route.
Admissions
Applying to an Engineering Master's Without an Engineering Bachelor's
Which online engineering master's programs consider math, science or computing graduates, what prerequisites and bridge courses they ask for, and what it means for licensure.
Engineering Master's Admission Requirements: What Online Programs Ask For
What online engineering master's programs typically require: the prior degree, GPA rules, math prerequisites, GRE policies, letters, resumes and English tests, with verified examples.
Tuition & funding
Online Engineering Tuition and Scholarships: What You Will Actually Pay
How to read online engineering tuition (per credit vs. total, resident vs. online rates, extra fees) and how federal aid, scholarships and employer assistance fit in.
Funding for Distance Engineering PhD Students
How distance engineering PhD students pay for the degree: what programs say about assistantships, employer support, fellowships, tuition discounts and federal loans, and what to ask.