by our College Data Analytics TeamElectrical Engineering was the 30th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 28,166 degrees in this year alone. This 1,726 less than the prior year, a decrease of 6.1%.
Our 2023 Best Electrical Engineering Schools ranking analyzes 284 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for electrical engineering students. Explore this or one of our many other custom EE rankings further below.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to EE. Required skills include understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
electrical engineering degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific EE careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
EE degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in electrical engineering to the highest EE degree, a . Different electrical engineering degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to EE, with approximately 53.2% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to EE tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 58.3% |
| Master’s Degree | 19.4% |
| Doctoral Degree | 6.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 3.0% |
Most workers in EE have at least a bachelor's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in electrical engineering careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the EE career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your EE degree? Electrical Engineering careers are expected to grow 6.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to electrical engineering.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineers | 204,500 | 8.6% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Electronics Engineers | 141,300 | 3.7% |
| Aerospace Engineers | 73,800 | 6.0% |
| Engineering Professors | 54,600 | 14.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for EE graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for electrical engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers EE grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Aerospace Engineers | $117,100 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
| Electronics Engineers | $107,930 |
| Electrical Engineers | $101,600 |
With over 932 different EE degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased EE school rankings to help you with this.
Electrical Engineering is one of 3 different types of Electrical Engineering programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Electrical Engineering | 424 |
| Telecommunications Engineering | 133 |
| Optical Enginering | 121 |
