2026 Most Affordable Bachelor's in Engineering 91³ÉÈË
Discover low-cost online bachelor's programs in engineering, ranked by tuition and independently confirmed by 91³ÉÈË.
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Find the cheapest online engineering degree from the list below of accredited schools. All tuition is manually collected and verified by the 91³ÉÈË research team.
Key Takeaways:
- Daytona State College's online Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology is the most affordable engineering degree at $3,203/year for in-state students.
- Many schools on the list charge the same tuition regardless of residency, removing a common barrier.
- The majority of schools on the list are public institutions. Their growing investment in online learning has expanded access to engineering education for students across the country.
For our rankings, we apply the same standards to partner and non-partner schools alike.
How We Rank "Most Affordable" Schools
The 91³ÉÈË research team manually collects and verifies tuition data for every school on our lists, ensuring you see accurate, up-to-date costs whether you're pursuing an associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral program. To qualify, schools must offer fully online degrees, hold institutional accreditation, and have verifiable enrollment data through the National Center for Education Statistics. While some of our rankings include partner schools, every school is evaluated using the exact same criteria.
We prioritize schools that offer a consistent tuition rate across programs at the same degree level, so you're not caught off guard by unexpected price differences between majors, and for graduate programs we go a step further by individually calculating program costs since credit requirements and fees vary widely.
2026 Most Affordable Bachelor's in Engineering 91³ÉÈË
| Rank | School | Annual In-State Tuition | Annual Out-of-State Tuition | Recommendation | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daytona State College | $3,203 | $16,962 | 50% | N/A | |
| Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus | $4,194 | $6,174 | 92% | N/A | |
| Kennesaw State University | $5,700 | $5,700 | 86% | $88,541 | |
| Florida International University | $7,068 | $20,706 | 91% | $92,971 | |
| Old Dominion University | $8,040 | $13,320 | 86% | $87,168 | |
| University of Central Missouri | $8,910 | $8,910 | 100% | N/A | |
| University of Arkansas Grantham | $9,150 | $9,150 | 56% | N/A | |
| Bemidji State University | $9,580 | $9,580 | 75% | N/A | |
| Southern Illinois University - Carbondale | $9,645 | $9,645 | 87% | $83,171 | |
| University of West Alabama | $9,750 | $9,750 | 71% | N/A | |
| Indiana State University | $9,978 | $13,778 | 91% | N/A | |
| University of Southern Mississippi | $10,284 | $12,284 | 84% | N/A | |
| Mississippi State University | $10,454 | $10,454 | 88% | $89,687 | |
| National University | $11,100 | $11,100 | 47% | N/A | |
| University of North Dakota | $12,239 | $12,239 | 91% | $94,717 |
91³ÉÈË Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- DSC combines the #1 cheapest engineering bachelor's degree ($3,203/year) with an ABET-accredited engineering technology pathway. This means that students can access accredited engineering training at a cost low enough that they may avoid taking on excessive debt altogether.
- This online BSET spans industrial operations, mechanical design, and construction design while still allowing engineering students to branch into Electrical Engineering Technology or Industrial Engineering Technology concentrations.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Daytona State College are mixed but lean positive, driven by strong value and accessibility. Several reviewers praise affordable tuition, small class sizes, easy-to-use online tools, and supportive help with scheduling, transfer planning, and financial aid. 91³ÉÈË learners also report responsive, encouraging instructors. The main drawbacks center on inconsistency: some reviewers describe weak instruction, poor institutional reputation, unresponsive faculty, and uneven peer quality in group-based coursework, including carrying absent or underperforming classmates. A notable takeaway is that many found it useful as a low-cost, practical starting point or transfer option, even if academic quality varied considerably across classes and instructors.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 4,179 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: N/A
91³ÉÈË Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- ENMU integrates renewable energy coursework into the EET sequence, which reflects how modern technicians increasingly operate across power systems, automation, sustainability infrastructure, and energy-transition environments.
- The engineering courses are more specific than typical programs in this field because ENMU offers a detailed technical ladder that includes classes, like Circuit Analysis I and II, Semiconductor Devices I-III, Linear Systems Analysis, Advanced Digital Design, and Control Systems, for example.
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus as a largely affordable, flexible option with especially strong online delivery, responsive instructors, and small classes that make faculty accessible. Many reviewers valued being able to balance full-time work, family responsibilities, and school, while still feeling connected through recorded lectures or hybrid formats. Students also praised challenging coursework, practical preparation, and supportive staff. Criticisms center on inconsistent advising, occasional disorganization from overextended or inexperienced faculty, limited course variety because of small departments, and a rural location with few activities, weak transportation, and housing costs some felt were high for the area.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 2,274 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 40%
- Retention Rate: 62%
91³ÉÈË Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- Engineering students online can either attend scheduled live virtual sessions or complete coursework asynchronously through recorded lectures, archived material, and discussion groups. This is an incredibly thoughtful choice they've put in the hands of the students, as some benefit from real-time accountability and interaction, while others require self-pacing because of their busy lives.
- There's an emphasis in the program's descriptions on integrated systems of “people, machines, energy, information, and logistics,” which mirrors language commonly associated with supply chain optimization, industrial analytics, lean operations, and systems management roles. In practice, that could make the engineering program more adaptable across sectors like healthcare operations, aviation logistics, transportation systems, and large-scale service organizations.
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Kennesaw State University as a generally well-regarded institution where helpful, knowledgeable professors, practical instruction, and flexible online options stand out. Many students say faculty connect coursework to real-world careers, offer strong mentorship, and create a welcoming, smaller-campus feel despite the university’s growth. Clubs, research, networking, and modern facilities are recurring positives. The most consistent complaints center on administrative friction: confusing advising, financial aid delays, transcript and enrollment errors, limited course availability, and weak career services. Parking, transportation, and crowded systems also frustrate students, with some feeling the university’s expansion and fees have outpaced support, access, and student-centered service.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 7,532 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $88,541
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 79%
91³ÉÈË Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- Electrical engineering has historically resisted full online migration due to lab intensity, hardware requirements, and the discipline’s mathematical complexity, so the fact that it's a fully online ABET-accredited electrical engineering degree is relatively rare and something employers look for.
- FIU boasts a 34-member department faculty that consists of doctoral-level professors with active consulting, patents, grants, and research partnerships with corporations and government agencies.
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray FIU as a generally well-regarded, affordable university with strong academics, especially when professors are engaged and bring real-world experience into class. Students repeatedly praise the campus as beautiful, diverse, resource-rich, and full of networking, research, internship, and extracurricular opportunities. Flexible online, evening, and hybrid formats are valued by working adults and commuters. The most consistent frustrations involve administrative inefficiency, unhelpful advising, slow or inconsistent financial aid and enrollment support, parking, and the commuter-school feel that can make community harder to build. Several reviews also note uneven teaching quality, limited career placement in some areas, and occasional concerns about accessibility, bias, or outdated curriculum.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 11,038 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $92,971
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 92%
91³ÉÈË Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- This online affordable, ABET-accredited online computer engineering pathway boasts accelerated 8-week courses and mostly self-paced scheduling so students can finish faster than normal. The ABET accreditation proves that this in no way hinders or reduces the technical expectations of the degree.
- Alumni employers such as BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, NASA, GE, and Apple demonstrate that the bachelor's degree is connected to industries where hardware/software systems expertise has direct application.
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Old Dominion University as a generally well-regarded, flexible institution whose biggest strengths are diversity, accessible professors, and multiple course formats, especially online, evening, and hybrid options that help working adults, parents, transfers, and distance learners persist. Many reviewers say advisors, faculty, and internship or clinical experiences prepared them well for employment, graduate study, or licensure. Students also value campus involvement, supportive communities, and reasonable tuition. The recurring frustrations are administrative inefficiency, inconsistent advising, weak financial aid and career services, hard-to-get required classes, parking and housing problems, and concerns about crime and safety in surrounding neighborhoods.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 5,614 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $87,168
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 76%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of the University of Central Missouri are largely positive, driven by strong ratings and near-universal recommendations. Students consistently praise small classes, approachable professors, and advisers who know them personally, offer flexible help, and support career changes, internships, research, and job readiness. Many also value affordability, manageable workloads, responsive offices, and a welcoming campus community with clubs, diversity, and attractive facilities. 91³ÉÈË learners often mention convenience and clear support. Criticism centers on inconsistency: a few instructors are described as unclear or overly harsh, some courses feel unnecessary or too basic, limited class options appear in some areas, and occasional housing noise or paid printing frustrates students.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 686 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 70%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of University of Arkansas Grantham are sharply divided, but ratings lean positive overall. Supporters consistently praise the fully online format, eight-week courses, affordability, military-friendly policies, transfer-credit acceptance, and scheduling flexibility that lets working adults balance jobs, deployments, and family obligations. Several say helpful advisors and responsive instructors supported career advancement, promotions, or debt-free completion. Critics focus on operational breakdowns rather than workload alone: delayed or mishandled financial aid, poor advisor communication, shifting graduation timelines, inconsistent teaching quality, and courses that feel rushed or overly self-taught. A recurring concern is accreditation confusion, with some saying limited transferability or employer recognition reduced the degree’s long-term value.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.1 Student Review for Bachelor's in Engineering Degrees
As a former Submarine Sailor in the US Navy I appreciated that Grantham University took my SMART transcripts and allowed me to start as Junior! The fully online courses allowed me to continue working full time while taking my classes around my busy travel... Read More
- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 2,838 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 24%
- Retention Rate: 24%
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Bemidji State University as a place where many students enjoyed a welcoming campus, supportive instructors, and a strong sense of community, especially if they valued outdoor recreation and scenic surroundings near the lake. Several reviewers said classes felt engaging, faculty were personable, and the environment worked well for balancing academics with work and family obligations. Affordability and abundant extracurricular opportunities also stood out. Criticism centered on administrative disorganization, inconsistent advising, weak online support, parking difficulties, and serious follow-through issues involving financial aid and admissions guidance, leaving some students frustrated and feeling their education concerns were not properly resolved.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 1,264 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 78%
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Southern Illinois University - Carbondale as a generally positive, often personable campus experience shaped by caring professors, approachable class sizes, and strong opportunities for involvement, research, leadership, and practical learning. Many reviewers praise the beautiful campus, welcoming atmosphere, and smaller-school feel within a larger university setting. Students often say success depends on taking initiative through clubs, office hours, and networking. Concerns center on inconsistent quality across departments, disorganized advising and administration, limited career placement support, rising costs, scarce scholarships, commuter amenities, safety in nearby areas, and occasional housing, financial aid, or classroom management frustrations.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 1,492 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $83,171
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 69%
Student Review Summary: Reviews describe University of West Alabama as especially appealing for online convenience, affordability, and flexibility for people balancing full-time work and family responsibilities. Many reviewers praise small classes, accessible professors, prompt feedback, and caring staff across admissions, financial aid, and graduation. Several also value the friendly, close-knit atmosphere and lasting faculty relationships. The main drawbacks center on inconsistent advising, limited online course selection, weak communication, and uneven instructional quality. More critical reviewers report absent professors, unclear directions, outdated or error-filled course shells, technical problems, poor administrative follow-through, and concerns that some online experiences felt overly self-taught or insufficiently career-preparing.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 1,745 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 38%
- Retention Rate: 61%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Indiana State University are largely favorable, driven by strong ratings and frequent recommendations. Students consistently praise accessible, caring professors, small class sizes, and a campus that feels welcoming without being overwhelming. Many say online and hybrid courses are flexible, challenging, and manageable for working adults, with discussion boards and practical assignments reducing distance-learning isolation. The strongest frustrations center on cost, financial aid confusion, weak advising or slow departmental communication, and uneven online execution in some areas. Several reviews also raise career-preparation concerns, including excessive clinical placement burdens, limited local opportunities, and one serious complaint about a nonaccredited technical track hurting long-term employability.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 1,331 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 69%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of the University of Southern Mississippi are largely favorable, with students most often praising caring professors, approachable advisers, and a welcoming campus culture that feels family-oriented and diverse. Many say the school offers strong mentoring, useful networking, flexible online formats, and solid value, especially when faculty actively support career preparation, graduate study, or licensure success. Social life, clubs, and a close-knit community are recurring strengths. Criticism centers on inconsistency across departments: some describe coursework as too easy or mediocre, weak employer preparation, limited recruiting, high costs in certain programs, outdated resources, administrative frustration, and concerns about inclusivity or support for veterans.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 2,526 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 51%
- Retention Rate: 70%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Mississippi State University are largely positive, with students most often praising approachable professors, a welcoming community, and strong opportunities to get involved through clubs, research, sports, and campus traditions. Many say the campus feels close-knit despite its size, and several highlight scholarships, reasonable costs, and flexible online options as major advantages. Students also report gaining confidence, practical skills, and job-ready experience through mentorship, hands-on learning, and networking. Criticisms are more targeted: inconsistent advising, weak career placement support in some areas, rising online fees, limited funding, repetitive upper-level coursework, and unresponsive administration, especially in some online experiences.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 1,942 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $89,687
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 83%
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray a deeply divided experience, though the balance tilts negative because many low-rated accounts cite administrative dysfunction, shifting graduation requirements, delayed or mishandled financial aid, advisor turnover, and poor communication. A recurring complaint is paying premium tuition for a largely self-taught model centered on papers, APA formatting, and inconsistent mentor feedback, especially during dissertation or internship stages. Students who rate the university highly usually praise the accelerated format, scheduling flexibility, and the ability to work full time while studying. They also value responsive professors, practical coursework, and a rigorous pace that suits highly organized, independent learners but often overwhelms others.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 8,245 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 54%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of the University of North Dakota are largely positive, with many describing an affordable, well-rounded experience marked by supportive professors, small classes, and strong preparation for careers or further education. 91³ÉÈË learners especially praise the flexibility, live instruction, useful technology, and responsive faculty when systems work well. Several reviews also highlight a friendly, proud campus culture, research and extracurricular opportunities, and inclusive support spaces. Criticism centers on inconsistent advising, poor communication, budget-related cuts, outdated or malfunctioning testing platforms, limited facilities in some areas, financial strain, and a campus environment that can feel large, impersonal, and isolated in severe winter weather.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to 91³ÉÈË, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate 91³ÉÈË: 3,157 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $94,717
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 83%
The Most Affordable 91³ÉÈË Engineering Degrees in 2026: What Your Tuition Dollar Actually Buys You
If you've been searching for an affordable path into engineering or engineering technology, the good news is that the landscape has genuinely expanded and the price variation across legitimate, accredited programs is not as bad as you may be thinking.
This list above of 15 programs has tuition that starts at just $3,203 per year at Daytona State College and climbs to $12,239 at the University of North Dakota — meaning the utmost expensive program on this list still costs less than a single semester at many traditional engineering schools.
Eleven of the 15 programs come in under $10,500 annually, and six fall below the $9,200 mark. That's not a typo. These are real, accredited schools hosting bachelor's degrees in engineering and engineering technology, many of them ABET-accredited, all available entirely online.
Next, we want to talk about what you actually get for that price and the data tells some surprisingly nuanced stories about retention, graduation rates, online scale, learner satisfaction, and post-graduation earnings. When you're committing four years and tens of thousands of dollars to an engineering bachelor's degree, it's important to make a well-rounded decision based on all the facts you can get your hands on.
Engineering is one of the most economically consequential degrees you can earn. The median early-career earnings reported by the programs on this list range from $83,171 at Southern Illinois University all the way to $94,717 at the University of North Dakota.
To put that into perspective, a degree that costs $3,000 more per year but produces graduates earning $10,000 more annually can pay for itself in under two years. That's the kind of math you should be running — and it's exactly the conversation this article is designed to help you have.
The Bottom of the Tuition Chart Is More Competitive Than You Think
Daytona State College's $3,203 annual tuition is so low it almost reads like a misprint — but it's real, it's ABET-accredited through ETAC, and it's backed by an online enrollment of 3,668 students, which puts DSC in the top 8% of all U.S. colleges for online scale. That virtual scale demonstrates solid infrastructure for online learning, like more engineering courses available, more reliable scheduling, and more peer interaction.
Eastern New Mexico University, ranked second at $4,194, is worth comparing directly. The tuition gap between first and second place is nearly $1,000 per year, which over four years amounts to roughly $4,000 in additional cost. But ENMU brings something DSC doesn't: a program that's specifically designed for students transferring in an AAS or at least 30 technical credits. If that's your situation, ENMU may actually be the faster, cheaper path even though the annual price tag is higher. Plus, ENMU reports a 96% recommendation rate — one of the highest on this entire list.
Kennesaw State University at $5,700 rounds out the bottom three and introduces something neither DSC nor ENMU can match, which is its sheer scale. KSU's online enrollment of over 6,800 students places it in the top 3% nationally. That kind of peer density means active discussion boards, diverse project teams, and the sort of course rotation stability that makes scheduling your life around an engineering degree so much less stressful.
What Retention and Graduation Rates Tell You About Your Odds of Actually Finishing
Here's the uncomfortable truth about engineering degrees: a lot of students don't finish them. That's not unique to online programs, but it's a real factor in how you should weigh your options. Across this list, the graduation rates range from a low of 24% at UA Grantham all the way to 74% at Florida International University (FIU) — and that spread should absolutely inform your decision.
FIU's 74% graduation rate is solid and its 92% first-year retention rate puts it in the top 5% of all universities for keeping students enrolled year over year. FIU also reports median graduate earnings of $92,971 among engineering graduates — the second-highest on this list — and its tuition of $7,068 makes it one of the more accessible pathways to a fully online, ABET-accredited electrical engineering bachelor's degree.
FIU reports median graduate earnings of $92,971 among engineering graduates... and its tuition of $7,068 makes it one of the more accessible pathways to a fully online, ABET-accredited electrical engineering bachelor's degree.
Mississippi State (MSU) and the University of North Dakota (UND) both post 83% retention rates and 63% graduation rates, landing them in the top 15% and top 20% nationally, respectively. MSU's $10,454 tuition is actually flat regardless of where you live.
Compare those numbers to UA Grantham, which ranks seventh on price at $9,150 but reports a 24% graduation rate, placing it in the bottom third nationally. A 24% graduation rate doesn't necessarily mean the engineering bachelor's program is weak, but it does mean you should interrogate why:
Is the student population predominantly stopping out for financial or personal reasons?
Are students transferring their credits elsewhere?
Are the outcomes meeting what students expected?
Those are questions worth asking before you commit, because a cheap degree you don't finish is more expensive than a slightly pricier one you do.
The Earnings Data Is Sparse — But Where It Exists, It's Telling
Only six of the 15 programs on this list report earnings data tied specifically to engineering program graduates at the bachelor's level. When a school chooses not to share program earnings outcomes with the U.S. Department of Education, it doesn't necessarily mean graduates aren't doing well, but it does mean you're making an investment without complete information. If salary transparency matters to you, that should factor into your evaluation.
Here's the salary data that is available among engineering alums at these schools (around four years after graduation):
Among those that do report, UND leads with $94,717 in early-career median earnings for graduates of its biomedical engineering bachelor's program. That's the highest reported figure on this list, and UND's program is notably different from the engineering technology degrees that dominate this ranking because BME is a very specialized discipline. The program's longitudinal Innovation-Based Learning sequence, embedded from the first semester through senior year, combined with a tri-institution collaboration involving UND's School of Medicine and NDSU's College of Engineering, creates a curriculum that's somewhat unusual at just the undergraduate level. That level of specialization and integration tends to drive stronger early-career positioning — and UND's $12,239 tuition paired with $94,717 in median earnings is a payback period that should get your attention.
UND's $12,239 tuition paired with $94,717 in median earnings is a payback period that should get your attention.
SIU Carbondale's $83,171 figure is the lowest reported, but the program's context matters here. SIU's Industrial Management and Applied Engineering degree is explicitly oriented toward manufacturing operations, lean production, and quality management, which is a career pathway that tends to cap out at lower median salaries than electrical or computer engineering. If you're heading into that world, $83,171 is still a strong salary, and SIU's 11:1 student-faculty ratio (placing it in the top 25% nationally) suggests you'll get the mentorship and individualized attention that helps you land those roles.
The Importance of Accreditation When Choosing an Engineering Degree 91³ÉÈË
Not all engineering degrees on this list are created equal from an accreditation standpoint, and that distinction can have real consequences for your career mobility.
— particularly through its Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) — is widely considered the gold standard for engineering technology programs, and employers in many industries use it as a filter.
Programs at the following schools all carry some form of ABET accreditation:
DSC's Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology
KSU's Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Technology
FIU's Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
ODU's Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
UCM's Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology - Management
UA Grantham's BS in Electronics Engineering Technology
USM's Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Technology
ISU's Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology
UA Grantham's situation is particularly worth noting because it carries dual accreditation — DEAC institutionally and ABET programmatically — which is rare in online engineering and signals that the program has passed quality review from two independent bodies. That's a big deal.
UCM's approach to accreditation comes with an interesting philosophical distinction: the school positions its engineering technology management degree as a management-oriented alternative to a traditional engineering degree. This shapes what you learn as well as how future employers will read your credential. If your ultimate goal is to move toward project management, operations leadership, or manufacturing supervision, UCM's emphasis makes sense.
EXPERT TIP
If you're planning to pursue licensure as a Professional Engineer or Engineering Technologist, or if you're targeting employers in defense contracting, utilities, or manufacturing, checking that accreditation box can determine whether your resume gets through the first round of screening.
FAQs About Affordable 91³ÉÈË Engineering Degrees
How Does 91³ÉÈË Rank the Most Affordable 91³ÉÈË Engineering Bachelor's Degrees?
To be considered for this ranking, the following must apply:
- A school must offer at least one fully online bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related field, such as electrical engineering, computer engineering, industrial engineering, engineering technology, or biomedical engineering.
- All eligible institutions must hold institutional accreditation and report online enrollment data to the U.S. Department of Education.
91³ÉÈË evaluates affordability using a standardized methodology designed to support apples-to-apples comparisons among the cheapest online engineering bachelor's degrees. Both partner and non-partner institutions are evaluated using the same criteria, meaning advertising relationships never influence rankings.
Final rankings are determined solely by annual in-state tuition since most students end up attending college in their state. All tuition figures are manually collected and verified from official school sources.
Do Engineers Need Licensure or Certification?
Employers do not always require licensure for entry-level engineers or even some engineering occupations, such as aerospace or chemical engineering. However, many graduates become licensed as they progress through their careers or if their profession requires it.
If engineers opt for licensure upon graduation, they may take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Once they pass, engineers become Engineers in Training (EIT), or they are also referred to as Engineer Interns (EI). After an EIT/EI has earned at least four years of relevant work experience, they can take the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam to become a professional engineer.
Many engineering graduates become licensed as they progress through their careers or if their profession requires it.
After passing the FE and PE exams, engineers may apply for licensure but only if their bachelor's program has been accredited by ABET. While each state may have different licensing requirements, most accept licenses from other states if they either meet or exceed their state requirements. In addition, some states ask engineers to periodically take continuing education courses in order to retain their licenses. Various engineering associations, including ABET, offer many of these courses.
Is an 91³ÉÈË Engineering Degree Worth the Cost?
Determining whether an online engineering degree is worth the investment depends on factors like career growth, job satisfaction, and financial feasibility. Many engineering careers offer six-figure salaries, with fields like aerospace and petroleum engineering leading the way. Engineering also provides strong job stability, and a bachelor’s degree is often sufficient for entry-level roles, allowing students to start earning without needing further education. Additionally, in the field has been reported, particularly in areas like technical challenges, employer support, and career advancement.
However, potential challenges exist. Technical issues, accreditation concerns, and can affect a student’s experience and career prospects. Some online programs can lack ABET accreditation, which may impact job opportunities, while gender and racial pay gaps persist in the industry.
Despite these drawbacks, an affordable online engineering degree remains a strong investment, particularly from programs on our list, where tuition remains below $15,000 for more than half of the options above.
What Are Some Common Courses for a Bachelor’s in Engineering?
An engineering program’s coursework is similar across many schools. While course titles may differ, the learning objectives and outcomes are mostly the same. Below are some standard courses for any engineering degree program, depending on the field of interest:
- Computational Graphics and Visualization: Instructors teach best practices for visually representing complex systems and processes. Engineering students in many concentrations take this class to study systems models, the quality of various data inputs, and the software used to present compelling computer simulations.
- Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM): This coursework introduces students to the engineering technology used in modern manufacturing, which relies on computer-aided automation to maximize efficiency. Practices include systems integration, robotics, and computer-aided design.
- Material Science and Metallurgy: Engineers can’t build or design a project without first understanding the materials used. This course covers the physical properties of different substances, how they react to stresses, and how they bear loads under different conditions.
- Software Testing and Quality Assurance: A software testing course is required for students in software engineering bachelor's programs. Students in other specializations, such as biomedical engineering, take similar classes. Professors teach debugging practices, life cycle models, and how to test software.
What Are Some Scholarships for Engineering Students?
Several engineering organizations offer scholarships to offset tuition costs. Organizations often require membership to be eligible for their scholarships but most offer discounted membership rates for students. Below are some scholarships geared toward those pursuing an engineering degree.
- : The EESF offers two $2,500 scholarships annually to undergraduate students majoring in environmental engineering. Students must be transferring to a four-year college from a two-year community college with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to qualify.
- : The AIAA has scholarships from $1,500 to $10,000 for students pursuing engineering degrees in aeronautics or astronautics. They also have awards specifically for women entering these fields.
- : The ASCE provides $2,500 and $5,000 scholarships to members, though the amount may vary from year to year. Students may apply for more than one scholarship.
- : ASHRAE awards several scholarships each year, from $3,000 to $10,000. The engineering degree program must be ABET-accredited, and applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
- : ASME has several scholarships that range from $500 to $13,000. Requirements vary but may include a 3.0 GPA or higher and enrollment in an ABET-accredited engineering program.
Student Reviews of 91³ÉÈË Engineering Programs
I am very upset with the added cost and fees of the schooling. Just paid almost 300$ on top of regular tuition(1500$) for a technology and admin fee for 6 credits. Also, there are last minute class cancellations which if using military TA will screw you out of classes.
Review Date: 8/5/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I absolutely love Everglades University and I am very proud to attend this school. It happens to be one of the first times in my life that attention to detail, submission, and receiving of knowledge all flows so effortlessly and with commonality. I sorely love the enrollment for each new class and have been challenged, held, supported, nurtured, and gifted so much from this academy.
Review Date: 7/13/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Everglades University is making my dream of obtaining my license as a Professional Land Surveyor possible. Without their online degree program there is no way I could attend school full time, work full time as a wife and mother of 3. I love the class structure, even though the courses are condensed into 4 weeks, a challenging task, concentrating on one class at a time makes it easier for me to soak in everything I need to on that subject. The staff at EU is amazingly helpful and as a veteran student... Read More
Review Date: 11/9/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I was looking for a university to further my studies in the field of surveying. I accidentally come across Everglades. When I read their profile I decided that this university offers the program I need. I have been a student there from 2017 and this turns out to be one of the best educational choice I have made. The professors take time out to ensure that you understood the material presented and help you in doing you best to achieve success. I am not sure if there are more university offering the... Read More
Review Date: 3/13/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
91³ÉÈË Division - Everglades University is by far the best online university that I have attended, especially for the degree that I am attaining. A survey degree online is hard to find, but if you have a understanding of basic and or conventional land surveying you will understand this program a lot easier and will have success.
Review Date: 11/10/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I chose CSU because my professional association, the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, accepts a CSU degree as meeting the requirement to sit for the CSP certification. I have worked hard, had excellent professors, and have increased the breadth and depth of my knowledge in not only career-related topics such as toxicology, ergonomics, and chemistry of hazardous materials, but in general topics such as history and biology, etc. I have received a good education, and this is a win by any measure.... Read More
Review Date: 4/5/2017
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: Yes
What I love about this college is that my classes were exactly in the work field that I applied every day. The support that I got from the CSU staff was amazing. It took me longer 6-months longer than I thought it would, but my advisor never let me take my eye of the prize. I highly recommend this college if you are in, or wanting to work in the EHS profession.
Review Date: 2/1/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Some of the professors are good. Some try to help students and offer feedback. After taking course from Durwood Weeks, I would suggest you avoid his classes. The worst professors I have ever had at any school. Overall I would encourage a different school.
Review Date: 2/20/2016
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
My experience at CSU has been a great one! The instructors are very helpful and passionate about helping their students. I've read complaints about the school being only "Nationally" accredited, that only has a significant impact on your future employment based on your career choice. For instance, a Psychology major (which typically requires a doctorate degree to reap any benefit) should consider a traditional brick and mortar school. Less traditional programs of study like OSH, the accreditation... Read More
Review Date: 5/25/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Finances are horrible at the school. They will steal you blind. Account for every penny and make sure you have everything well documented. Use emails instead of calling. 91³ÉÈË experience is reat for the first class then the quality degrades as you advance in your college degree.
Review Date: 8/24/2015
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
Purdue Calumet is a great satellite campus to the main campus of Purdue University-West Lafayette. Many years ago when I first started there, it was a commuter college that catered to people who worked. Now it has Division III sports, dorms, and very updated computer labs. My favorite thing about Purdue Calumet is that the classes are much smaller than your traditional colleges. I like being able to be in a classroom where my instructor knows my name, and I can see them throughout the day if I have... Read More
Review Date: 11/16/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Enjoyed attending TESU, the affordability of degree programs is outstanding. The outcomes after graduation further solidified I had made the right choice attending this university. The 5 courses needed for graduation didn't bankrupt me and the faculty was outstanding helping to complete assignments. TESU has a beautiful campus located close to some nice historical sites. I would recommend this school to anyone wishing to further their education, you can take courses while working full time, courses... Read More
Review Date: 3/2/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I’m glad I choose FAU. Professors are really good at teaching and care about helping students. It’s really easy to approach any professor to ask for any questions. Also, very important for some people is that class sizes are smaller. I think is one of the few public universities in Florida with small class sizes which is very good for most students. There are a lot of resources available to students and tons of clubs to join. I totally recommend FAU to any looking for a university with small class... Read More
Review Date: 1/19/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The program that I was a part of was well worth the time as an engineering major. The main program itself is much more hands-on than the other universities in the area. The experience of learning curriculum from a textbook and then taking it directly into the lab to actually use, cements the knowledge more than simply bookwork. The main university itself was alright, as there was a lot of requirements for diversity classes that were not actually worth the time and effort.
Review Date: 1/15/2026
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
My college has always coached young academicians and made them become more of what they need. Everything has always worked out and made things clear and manageable. Furthermore, the university has also made it easy for young people and people of various races to become what they need
Review Date: 12/6/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
This is a very lovely school. I completely enjoyed my time here. The city may be a bit quiet but its been growing, and offers the perfect environment for quiet study. I love the math department in this school, the professors and standards of teaching are very good in that department, class sizes are adequately small, less than 15 in most engineering departments. Tuition is also very affordable.
Review Date: 4/10/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
My school fit me well. The warm climate and beautiful campus was inspiring. School spirit was a major influence and part of the daily life on campus. The professors are highly knowledgeable and encourage open discussions.
Yes, I would choose the same degree. My degree is sought after by many employers. I enjoy this field of study and also have job security.
Limit the... Read More
Review Date: 8/8/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I’d say that there are a select few professors who are passionate and great about teaching their students and really challenging them with the material and there’s others who show up late, cancel classes last minute, teach for ten minutes in class and then expect everyone to teach themselves the rest of the material, cut class short because the weather is nice and they want to go outside, and during office hours try to make it seem like it’s your fault you and ten of the smartest students in class... Read More
Review Date: 11/1/2024
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
Recently free because it’s a useless degree. And it wasn’t free for me. A few good companies recruit from Smith but if you can’t take advantage of that there’s very little value to this degree. The culture and policies are incredibly rigid. I got great research and internship opportunities while in school due to the college’s reputation but I’ve been unemployed or underemployed since graduating. My degree did not prepare me for any job. I think a lot of people get into good graduate schools after... Read More
Review Date: 2/15/2026
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
Horrible place if you have your own computer. They force you to lease their computers and it ends up costing $2000+ for students. My computer arrived broken and they never fixed the issue no matter how many times I went in. Software may not be used on a non-school laptop so you cannot use the software you’re paying for. Lots of very strange students that don’t know how to behave in a public setting which causes a lot of embarrassment for the school as a whole. Hardly any food options available to... Read More
Review Date: 1/11/2024
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: Yes