Get Your Degree!

Get information on programs from our featured schools.

What is Electrical Engineering?

An electrical engineering degree is a branch within engineering dealing with the study, design, and application of:

  1. Technology of Electricity
  2. Electronics & Electric Devices
  3. Electromagnetism
  4. Math & Physics of Electricity
  5. Energy Transmission

An electrical engineer will work on project both large and small in a variety of industries.  In fact, projects can range from nanotechnology to satellite communication systems for start-up organizations or government agencies.   Additionally, the field of robotics is driven by innovation and fundamentals of electrical engineering.  Robots contain a number of actuators, sensors, control systems, artificial intelligence, and processors that are keys to the science of electrical engineers.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$100,770

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

63.22%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

315,870

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Electrical Engineering Degree

Princeton University (Princeton, NJ) operates as a private university. Princeton is another Ivy League university and is one of the fourth-oldest higher education institutions in the U.S. The university is known to provide a world-class education for several areas of study. Some of the popular programs of Princeton are engineering, history, social sciences, public administration, and biological sciences. Interested students need to be among the top 8% of the yearly college applicants to get accepted into this school. The top ranked Electrical Engineering degree is offered as both undergraduate and graduate levels programs. The undergraduate program is designed to provide students with strong theoretical foundation and technical skills. Students can also pursue a minor or an interdisciplinary certificate. Princeton has a long list of popular and relevant graduates including Jeff Bezos and Michelle Obama. 

Acceptance Rate

5.78

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) is one of the top Ivy League universities. Harvard is popular for its liberal arts curriculum particularly at the undergraduate level which offers 44 fields of study. Graduate and professional programs are also offered. Harvard also fosters a tutorial style of learning and teaching. It is a great benefit for all students especially those who take up courses in a particular field of concentration. Engineering students will gain a solid foundation on applied science and mathematical analysis. Undergraduate students will have opportunities to apply fundamental engineering theories to address real-world issues. The Electrical Engineering major includes a robust undergraduate curriculum that currently requires a senior thesis. Students and professionals who are interested in graduate studies can pursue a Ph.D. program. Harvard is also known for its famous and relevant alumni in leadership, science, arts, and others. 

Acceptance Rate

4.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Yale University (New Haven, CT) is the third oldest higher education institution in the United States and a member of the Ivy League. Yale boasts a comprehensive undergraduate program that allows students to pursue a major area of study. The school also offers dual-major bachelor’s program and minor degree programs which gives students more fields to explore. The school offers programs on management, biological sciences, engineering and applied science, law, business, and others. The ABET-accredited B.S. in Electrical Engineering program in Yale is technically comprehensive and is recommended for students who aim to immediately land a job in the industry. This undergraduate program offers three tracks - Microelectronics and Photonics, Computer Engineering, and Signal Processing, Control, and Communications. The program is also fit for students who aim to pursue graduate studies. 

Acceptance Rate

6.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Columbia University in the City of New York (New York, NY) is a private research university and an Ivy League member. The school is known for its history as well as being ranked as one of the top universities in the world. The university boasts a comprehensive range of academic fields. Columbia houses an ABET-accredited undergraduate program in Electrical Engineering. The program curriculum offers a comprehensive background in electrical engineering. This is strengthened through elective coursework and research projects. The Electrical Engineering Department also offers master’s and doctoral programs. Interested junior students can apply for the Integrated EE BS/MS degree for a more seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate level. 

Acceptance Rate

5.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Stanford University (Stanford, CA) is a private institution. The university offers a wide range of programs from bachelor's to doctorate degrees. Every program curriculum is designed to help students to grow and improve on their chosen field of study. Stanford offers a wide range of Electrical Engineering major programs. It offers an undergraduate major and graduate programs. A coterminal program is also offered to undergraduate students who want to pursue a master’s degree while completing their bachelor’s degree. Joint degrees are also offered in conjunction with the Graduate School of Business and the Stanford Law School. Professionals can also take online graduate certificates or non-degree courses related to electrical engineering. Admissions in the university are one of the most competitive in the country with an estimated 7% of college applicants accepted every year. 

Acceptance Rate

4.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) is one of the Ivy League universities and it is the first higher education institution built in America. It is globally-recognized because of the quality of education and research initiatives. Penn fosters an interdisciplinary approach to learning through many different programs allowing students to gain further knowledge. Electrical and Systems Engineering is offered in both undergraduate and graduate levels. The top rated Electrical Engineering is an undergraduate major that provides solid analytical and experimental foundations to students. Many desire to study at Penn because it offers tons of educational opportunities including international programs, and study grants.  

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA) is one of the most popular institutes that offer top-notch engineering and applied science programs. Since MIT was established it continuously played a key role in developing and innovating through modern science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. MIT’s  Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) is one of the frontrunners in research and education across the spectrum of the related disciplines. Undergraduate Electrical Engineering students are already exposed to laboratory subjects, independent projects, and research. MIT has a strong entrepreneurial culture, thus, the birth of hundreds of technology-related start-ups. 

Acceptance Rate

6.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

3:1

Duke University (Durham, NC) is a private research university. It offers a wide range of programs for students, allowing them to decide which major is best for them. The university also administers two concurrent schools in Asia, located in Singapore and China. Among the popular programs at Duke University are business and marketing, public administration, engineering, biological sciences, and social sciences. Electrical & Computer Engineering programs are offered at the university. The undergraduate program is designed to equip aspiring engineers with skills and knowledge to solve complex societal problems. The undergraduate program offers five areas of study - Computer Engineering and Digital Systems, Signal Processing, Communications and Control Systems, Solid-State Devices and Integrated Circuits, Electromagnetic Fields, Photonics. Duke is the alma mater of many famous people from history including scientists that were awarded a Nobel Prize. 

Acceptance Rate

7.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA) is a private university. The university has a great reputation in science and engineering as well as pure and applied science initiatives. Caltech is also known to manage and operate  NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The university is divided into six academic divisions which include Engineering and Applied Science. A degree in Electrical Engineering is offered in the undergraduate and graduate level. The undergraduate program provides a solid educational foundation that allows students to be equipped before joining the industry and prepared to pursue graduate education. CalTech allows students to take double-major degrees. Only 13 percent of applicants are admitted to the school, thus, admissions are highly competitive. Caltech is one of the most recognized universities in this particular field of study.  

Acceptance Rate

6.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

3:1

Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) is one of the top, public research universities in the United States. Students are expected to learn and apply their knowledge to practical benefits and economic prosperity in the country. Cornell has a cutting-edge research program designed in an interdisciplinary curriculum. The university also fosters cross-college collaborations, allowing students to explore new fields of study. Cornell’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs, and research opportunities. The undergraduate program provides a solid foundation on science, mathematics, computing and technology. 

Acceptance Rate

10.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) is a private research university that has built a great reputation for academic excellence. Northwestern is also consistent in ranking as one of the best undergraduate programs in the United States. The university has all levels of academic degrees, as well as certification and diploma courses. Northwestern offers an ABET-accredited Electrical Engineering undergraduate program. Students are required to take technical electives which can be considered as their specialization. Northwestern boasts top-notch faculty, some are members of prestigious groups in the country including the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering (Needham, MA) is a private institute that specializes in engineering. The school is popular for students who want to pursue an engineering program. It is also distinguished because of its small size and project-based curriculum which is a great advantage for their field of expertise. The school gives out Olin Scholarship grants covering half of the total tuition fee of the admitted students. Olin College only has limited enrollment space, thus, only 16% of thousands of applicants are admitted.  

Acceptance Rate

15.69

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Washington University in St Louis (Saint Louis, MO) is a private research university founded in 1853 and named after George Washington. The school has a wide range of areas of study offered by seven graduate and undergraduate schools. WUSTL is among the top 50 universities in the world for its undergraduate programs according to World Report rankings. Electrical Engineering is offered at the undergraduate level leading to a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. A Bachelor of Science in Applied Science program is also offered to students who are interested in the electrical engineering discipline but have no plans of pursuing  a career in EE. Students can also pursue several graduate programs in Electrical Engineering. WUSTL has a diverse community with students from all over the United States as well as over a hundred foreign countries. Admissions in the university are competitive with only an average of 17% of college applicants being accepted yearly. 

Acceptance Rate

13.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Notre Dame University (Notre Dame, IN) is a private Catholic research university. It offers a wide range and a variety of educational opportunities for students. Notre Dame’s undergraduate programs are considered among the best in the United States. Furthermore, the university offers study abroad, and summer programs benefiting the students in many ways. Electrical Engineering students are provided with a solid foundation on the discipline through a variety of courses. Students are also given opportunities to participate on research projects alongside Ph.D. candidates and faculty. Notre Dame is also known for its well-designed and strong graduate programs. The university caters to programs related to sciences, business, humanities, and others. 

Acceptance Rate

15.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Rice University (Houston, TX) is a private research university. The school is active in research initiatives and developments and is notable for its applied science programs and courses. Moreover, Rice University was once recognized as the top university in material science research. Rice undergraduate programs give students the freedom and flexibility to pursue multiple areas of study by offering more than fifty majors and two dozen minors. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers two undergraduate programs in Electrical Engineering. The BA program allows students to pursue areas of interest outside of engineering. The BS is more focused and is designed for students who want to pursue a career in engineering or continue to graduate studies. 

Acceptance Rate

8.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN) is a private institution that offers a broad range of academic programs. Aside from quality education, VU is also one of the leading institutions when it comes to research. The Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department offers a variety of undergraduate programs. Bachelor of Engineering major in Electrical Engineering prepares students to assume roles across different industries with a solid foundation in the area of study. A double major between Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering is also offered to interested students. Master’s and doctoral degrees in Electrical Engineering are also granted at Vanderbilt University. 

Acceptance Rate

9.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) is a public research university considered one of the best in giving quality education, delivering innovative research, and providing medical healthcare. JHU is divided into three campuses for both graduate and undergraduate programs. The university also has international campuses located in China and Italy, both offering graduate programs. The university has nine schools, one is Whiting School of Engineering that offers Electrical Engineering degree programs for qualified students. These programs are providing hands-on experience to students as well as theoretical coursework. The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering is accredited by ABET.

Acceptance Rate

11.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Tufts University (Medford, MA) operates as a private institution offering various areas of study students can choose from. Tufts gives importance to active citizenship and public service in all its disciplines. Students also opt to study at Tufts because of its internationalism and opportunities for study abroad programs. One of the ten schools under Tufts is the School of Engineering that integrated entrepreneurship in its curriculum. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Electrical Engineering undergraduates are prepared to be skilled professionals or scholars by pursuing graduate studies. Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering is also offered as well as a dual-degree program between EE and Innovation & Management. 

Acceptance Rate

14.95

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) has an award-winning faculty and strong medical-health and science programs. USC has been the place where many new ideas and new technology were created and developed. These innovations and inventions were possible because USC encourages collaboration and interdisciplinary studies. Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering is offered at USC. Undergraduate students can also take a Progressive Degree Program allowing them to earn a BS/MS degree within five years. The university also values public service and professional education. Learning from recognized faculty is another advantage of USC, some are members of the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Medicine. 

Acceptance Rate

11.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

University of California – Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA) is the second oldest campus established under the University of California system. UCLA has been considered by many as a public Ivy League university.  UCLA has continuously been ranking as one of the best public universities in the United States. Electrical and Computer Engineering is offered in both undergraduate and graduate levels. The Master of Science program offers a more in-depth understanding of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Students can choose among three plans based on their professional goals - coure-based, project option, and thesis option. 

Acceptance Rate

12.32

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

University of Virginia - Main Campus (Charlottesville, VA) is one of the original public Ivy colleges. The school excels in providing education in the medical field. It also serves as a great training ground for leadership and governance, having been founded by Thomas Jefferson who aimed to develop leaders. U. Va. also offers courses on engineering, science, law, business, and education. The university’s electrical and computer engineering students are trained to be leaders and scholars that address technological challenges and improve the way of life. The BS in Electrical Engineering program is ABET-accredited. The curriculum explores technical courses and a variety of electives that can contribute to the development of the student. Graduates are prepared to assume roles in the field or pursue graduate studies. 

Acceptance Rate

23.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (New York, NY) or simply Copper Union is a private college offering undergraduate and master’s programs. Copper Union exclusively offers programs in architecture, fine arts, and engineering. Both Bachelor of Engineering and an ME in Electrical Engineering are offered in the college. Copper Union boasts a list of Electrical Engineering alumni who became industry professionals and leaders. The curriculum is interdisciplinary allowing students who pursue careers in other disciplines such as business and finance, law, medicine, applied mathematics and science.

Acceptance Rate

15.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

University of California - Berkeley (Berkeley, CA) is the oldest campus of the University of California system, also known as an esteemed public research university in the United States. Academic excellence and research activities places the university among the top universities in the country. UC Berkeley has a long list of prestigious and relevant graduates and faculty for various fields of study. It is also recognized around the world. The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate programs that train students to use their knowledge and skills to create a positive impact on society. The department values collaboration and close ties to industry, and fosters a supportive culture.

Acceptance Rate

16.25

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA) is a private higher education institution. The school offers a variety of program options, giving the students more areas of study to choose from. The university is divided into seven colleges and independent schools and all are offering interdisciplinary programs. The Electrical and Computer Engineering program integrates entrepreneurship, and practical application of knowledge into its curriculum. BS ECE is a five-year program that prepares students to be industry experts, innovators, and leaders. Carnegie Mellon is considered as an international university. It has degree-granting locations around the world, campuses in Qatar and Silicon Valley, and more than 20 research partnerships. It also offers a double-degree master’s program in engineering and business in conjunction with the Porto Business School in Porto, Portugal. 

Acceptance Rate

15.44

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI) is the oldest public research university in the state. The school offers a diverse set of programs across thirteen undergraduate and eighteen graduate schools and colleges. The University of Michigan is recognized as one of the best public universities worldwide. The school is also one of the highly active research universities in the United States. The Electrical and Computer Engineering Division offers a progressive curriculum and fosters an entrepreneurial culture. Some of the department’s areas of studies are in smart electronic, energy and power, information, communication, automation + robotics. Undergraduates can earn an Electrical Engineering minor or a major depending on the track selected. In addition, a Master’s and Ph.D. program in electrical engineering is also available for qualifying students.  

Acceptance Rate

22.91

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Difference Between an Electrical Engineer & Electronics Engineer

With many people using electrical engineering and electronics engineering interchangeable, it is easy to understand the confusion that exists between the two disciplines. The easiest way to think about the difference between electronics engineering and electrical engineering is the size and scope of each area of study.

  • Electronics Engineers focuses on small electronic circuits. Examples include the utilization of transistors, diodes, integrated circuits, and semiconductor devices to design electronic devices, circuits, controllers, and systems.
  • Electrical Engineers emphasize the design, production, and distribution of electric power. Examples typically include the creation and manufacturing of electric transmission, electric assemblies, electric motors, navigation systems, power generation, radar, and communication systems.

How to Become an Electrical Engineer?

To become an electrical engineer, you will need to obtain a formal education and pass a series of discrete steps on your journey. We have created a quick summation of activities you will need to process to work towards your ultimate goal in engineering. The key milestones to become an electrical engineer include the following 10 steps.

  1. Your Priority List Start the process towards becoming an electrical engineer by establishing your priority list. We have created a series of questions to help you develop a list of priorities on our College Admissions Guide.
  2. Ask for Feedback Request feedback from teachers, counselors, school alumni, friends, and family members on your priority list to gather valuable input before advancing to the next step.
  3. Self-Evaluation By performing a self-assessment and taking stock capabilities will allow you to more effectively make life-changing decisions about your future career in electrical engineering.
  4. Gather Information Next, you will need to deftly gather valuable admissions information from accredited universities. MatchCollege is the nation's most trusted source for accredited colleges and universities helping millions of college-bound students every year. Find colleges offering on-campus or online degrees in electrical engineering today.
  5. Get Matched & Apply After collecting admissions packets from quality schools, you can spend time to assess your likelihood of gaining admissions. Colleges will typically spell out their admissions requirements, school policies, education parameters, and financial aid terms in these documents. Take the time to align the programs with your priority list, narrow the list to a handful of quality programs and submit your application for admissions to those schools.
  6. Financial Aid With your admissions application in queue, you need to take the time to comprehend your financial aid options. Talk to the schools admissions department to help understand your aid options relating to financial aid benefits such as grants, work-study programs, scholarships, work-study programs, and student loans.
  7. Acceptance After accepting your top schools offer of admissions, electrical engineering students will begin mapping out your next few years. New and transfer students will attend orientation, meet with an academic advisor, and register for electrical engineering core classes from an ABET accredited school.
  8. Earn Your Degree - Earn a bachelors degree or graduate degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited college or university. While in school, focus on consciously growing your transferrable skills. Get involved with electrical engineering projects, offsite trainings, and trade shows to show initiative and interest in your future.
  9. License Depending on the work in your area and employer preference, it may be important for electrical engineering graduates to apply for licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE). Learn more about becoming a PE in your state by visiting the NSPE portal here.
  10. Skill Development and Growth - Register for continuing education credits, additional credentials, or college classes in the field to keep growing and learning.

Top Electrical Engineering Degrees & Schools

There are a variety of electrical engineering degrees to help propel your career forward. Engineering degree programs that fit you best will depend on the school but can span from an undergraduate degree to graduate degrees in engineering. As a result, we have provided a summary of each below to help you understand your educational options for an electrical engineering degree online or it's campus equivalent. Our comprehensive rankings and the world university rankings will help you narrow things down further.

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor degree programs in electrical engineering are created to provide exceptional exposure to key mathematical models and design theories in the field. It stands to reason your curriculum will include math-rich and science-heavy courses. Disciplines that undergird electrical engineering include college courses like physics, chemistry, electromechanical systems, technical writing, computer aided design, computer programming, drafting, and systems engineering. Core engineering classes provide requisite framework to harness advanced concepts and solve complex problems.

The final 2 years of a four-year bachelor degree will provide students with the opportunity to take engineering electives. More advanced classes will be clustered around key concepts to help provide context in electrical engineering. Academic clusters and electrical engineering electives will often include the following:

  • Computer Engineering: VLSI, embedded systems, CAD, digital hardware, software engineering, digital hardware
  • Electrical Science: Energy conversion, nanotechnology, photonic devices, energy conversion, electronic devices
  • Systems Engineering: signal processing, control, communications

Electrical Engineering Master’s Degree

Masters in electrical engineering and electronics engineering degree programs are generally divided between professional-orientation and research-intensive projects. Research programs are academic pathways designed as a vehicle to a PhD degree or research career after graduation. On the other hand, professional degrees will provide graduate students with career-focused skills. Industry or career focused skills may include programs for supply chain management, manufacturing, aerospace, power plant technology, communications, robotics, or nanotechnology.

Enrollment into a masters degree in electrical engineering will typically require a qualifying undergraduate degree from an ABET school. Work experience is not always required but often preferred for graduate candidates. An online electrical engineering master's degree will take one to three years to complete for full-time students. Final degrees will be conferred as a Master of Science (MS). Alternatively, there are schools that now offer a joint bachelor and master program known as a BS/MS degree. Joint degrees can condense the overall time it takes to earn a master's degree in an inclusive program.

Upper-level computational mathematics and electromechanical instrumentation classes provide students with key tools of the trade. Academic tools help students synthesize issues and arrive at novel solutions to complex challenges. Near the completion of the program, students may be asked to complete a thesis or enroll in additional courses to bypass the thesis project.

Online Electrical Engineering Doctorate Degree

Doctoral programs in Electrical Engineering are PhD degrees. They are found in a school's catalogue as a Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering. A PhD in EE is known in academia as a terminal degree as no engineering degrees exist beyond the PhD. During the enrollment process, students will select an area of concentration. Areas of concentration become career specialties or areas of expertise for researchers. Examples of possible areas of concentration in EE include computer architecture, communication science, controls, computer engineering, electromagnetics, integrated circuits, nanotechnology, multimedia, photonics, quantum electronics, quantum information processing, plasmas, power systems, or signal processing.

Admissions into an EE doctoral program most often starts with a qualifying master's degree. However, admissions teams may consider a student with a relevant bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in conjunction with substantive work experience.

Rigorous coursework and dissertations projects are expected elements in an electrical engineering doctorate degree. PhD students can expect a 3-5 year investment in coursework culminating with the creation, research, design, and defense of a board-approved dissertation. Graduates holding a PhD in electrical engineering can expect to work for research organizations, higher education institutions, consulting firms, or start-ups that rely upon the knowledge and problem-solving skills of an EE.

Electronics Engineering Degree Faculty Requirements

Electrical engineering students need to have a strong understanding of mathematics and the sciences, particularly physics. Students must also learn to be able to draft designs, as most electrical engineers will be required to submit such blueprints during the course of their work. A minimum of a bachelor's degree is necessary for work as an electrical engineer, with a program typically taking four years to complete. Some schools may offer five-year programs that will provide both a bachelor's and master's degree. Higher levels of education allow for specialization, focusing on specific systems and how to approach them.

A curriculum in electrical engineering may include:

  • Calculus
  • General Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Engineering
  • Principles of Electronics
  • Computational Math
  • Computer Systems
  • Fundamentals of Circuits
  • Computer Hardware & Software
  • Electronics
  • Microprocessors

Adegree in electrical engineering prepares students with skills and knowledge necessary to be able to develop, test, repair, and design electrical systems ranging from houses and automobiles, to specialized machinery and generators. Electrical engineers must have a strong background in science as well be able to read and design blueprints and schematics in order to implement electrical systems in structures and machines.

Individuals in the field are required to obtain licensure and certification in order to demonstrate competency and ability. Electrical engineers may choose to focus on more complex systems, such as computers, and in turn requiring experience and study pertaining to that specialization.

Electrical Engineering Careers

Electrical engineers work in research and development organizations, engineering firms, government agencies, and consulting firms in a variety of industries. The sectors you can find an electrical engineer include marine, railroad, aerospace, automotive, defense, lighting, consumer electronics, commercial construction, computers, traffic control, healthcare, telecommunications, and electrical component manufacturing. Within each industry, electrical engineers can specialize in specific disciplines that can include:

  • Energy Generation
  • Energy Transmission
  • Electrostatics
  • Machine Learning
  • Magnetostatics
  • Electrical Installations
  • Analogue Circuitry
  • Digital Circuitry
  • Digital Communication
  • Wireless Technology
  • Brain Imaging
  • Computer Programming
  • Robotics
  • CCTV Surveillance
  • Quantum Technology
  • Telephone Communications
  • Wind Power
  • Solar Power
  • Navigation Systems & GPS
  • Radar
  • Control Systems
  • Batteries
  • Speech and Language Processing
  • Instrumentation
  • Radio Frequency Systems
  • Signal Processing
  • Remote Sensing

Employment in Electrical Engineering

Individuals seeking a career in electrical engineering will find that a program that offers practical experience, such as an internship, alongside the classroom education will prove more beneficial when seeking employment. Though a license is not strictly required by states unless working with the government at the local, state or federal level, individuals who pursue licensure or certification will find their job prospects increased.

Licensure in electrical engineering has multiple levels and requires students to be a graduate of an Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology accredited program. Graduates of such a program may immediately take the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, the passing of which gives the engineer the designation EIT (Engineer in Training).

Once a sufficient amount of experience is accrued, an engineer will be eligible to take the Professional Engineering Exam, the passing of which will confer the title of PE (Professional Engineer).

Top Job Titles of an Electrical Engineer

As you think about electrical engineering careers, it is important to understand the range of job titles that exist.  By understanding the job titles in the industry, you can more readily map jobs to careers in your area of specialization.  Top job titles for electrical engineers include:

  • Circuits Engineer
  • Electrical Project Engineer
  • Project Engineer
  • Design Engineer
  • Electrical Controls Engineer
  • Power Systems Engineer
  • Electrical Design Engineer
  • Instrumentation & Electrical Reliability Engineer
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Test Engineer
Job Responsibilities of an Electrical Engineer

In a recent survey administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, practicing electrical engineers provided insight into their jobs.  More specifically, they provided a list of common job duties to help existing practitioners and students think more deeply about the industry.  A list of the most common job responsibilities of an electrical engineer include:

  1. Designing, implementing, maintaining, or improving electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial or residential use
  2. Operating computer-assisted engineering or CAD software to perform engineering tasks
  3. Directing or coordinating manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure proper customer and code compliance
  4. Preparing technical drawings, electrical system specs, or topographical maps to ensure conformity to customer and industry standards
  5. Conferring with management, peer engineers, customers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to discuss products or projects

Electrical Engineer Salary

Students interested in learning how much an electrical engineer make will discover it's well above average. In fact, the median annual income for an electric engineer is $96,200 with the top 10% averaging $149,040 a year and the bottom ten percent averaging $59,720 a year. The span of salaries points to variations in engineering work, experience, organization type, and employment type.

Job growth for electrical engineers is expected to be steady over the next decade. Growth in EE will be seen as a result of innovation and contracting in burgeoning fields. Positions through the government are expected to remain steady due to job openings from newly funded projects and retirement. Electrical engineers may find work with the government, private firms, self-employment, and manufacturing companies on a full-time or contract basis. Long term experience and a track record of success may qualify individuals for managerial positions.

Top Employers of Electrical Engineers

  1. Architectural and Engineering Firms 38,620
  2. Electrical Power Providers 17,990
  3. Research and Development Firms 13,990
  4. Semiconductor Manufacturers 12,050
  5. Instrumentation Manufacturers 11,500

States with the Highest Employment of Electrical Engineers

  • California 25,320
  • Texas 14,850
  • New York 11,280
  • Michigan 9,780
  • Massachusetts 8,350

Top Paying States for Electrical Engineers

  1. Alaska $122,050
  2. California $115,290
  3. District of Columbia $110,310
  4. Massachusetts $108,990
  5. Rhode Island $106,900

Individuals interested in electrical engineering may also be interested in engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering management, manufacturing engineer, industrial engineering, nuclear engineer, petroleum engineer, structural engineer, systems engineer, and civil engineering.

Featured Rankings

Find Your College Match

Sort By
PHP Code Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com