Every business and home has electricity today, so it is important that there is someone available to assist with electrical projects. Electrical engineers work with engineering the design of electrical systems as well as repairing the electrical systems in businesses and homes.
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Why Choose an Electrical Engineering Degree?
An electrical engineering degree is financially satisfying, with the annual median salary projected at anywhere from the mid-$80,000s to over $100,000, depending on the state where you work. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that electrical engineering jobs will grow by 2% between 2018 and 2028, which is slower than in other industries.
Getting an Electrical Engineering Degree
An electrical engineering degree teaches important skills such as how to analyze electrical systems, troubleshooting electrical problems, entering data into databases and creating project reports. Some possible jobs in the field include becoming an electrical engineer, junior electrical engineer, senior electrical engineer or another type of engineer in the electrical industry.
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, Ohio |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| 3 | North Carolina State University | Raleigh, North Carolina |
| 4 | Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey |
| 5 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, California |
Top 15 Schools for an Electrical Engineering Degree
We have selected 15 of the best schools offering at least an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering. The schools below are ranked based on their total enrollment as well as tuition rates for in-state students.
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in Electrical Engineering. Students can select from at least one of eight focuses including control, circuits, robotics, biomedical applications, solid-state, computer software, computer hardware and signals and systems.
School Overview
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Graduates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology develop a deep understanding of engineering principals, math, life sciences and other areas. The undergraduate course focuses on both electrical engineering and computer science, but it also has themed areas where students can turn their focus based on their interests.
School Overview
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University offers programs for Electrical and Computer engineering. NC is a leading research institute and offers a BS in Electrical Engineering. The courses are on a standard four-year track.
School Overview
Princeton University
Princeton University’s undergraduate program in electrical engineering focuses on electronic and photonic technologies. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.
School Overview
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology, or Caltec, offers an undergraduate and graduate course in electrical engineering. The programs are hosted in the Moore Laboratory of Engineering, and the school focuses on research and experimentation.
School Overview
University of California Berkeley
The University of California Berkeley offers a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences. The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences as well as a Bachelor of Arts track for students who prefer it. The EECS major requires a greater number of science and math courses, but the College of Letters and Sciences program offers more non-technical, breadth, courses in computer science.
School Overview
The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor offers two electrical engineering degrees. One is the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) degree. The other is the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) degree. Both are four-year programs for incoming undergraduates.
School Overview
Harvard University
Harvard University offers a degree in electrical engineering through its John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. There are four main research areas, which are in circuits and VLSI, robotics and control, computer engineering and architecture and signal processing.
School Overview
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is ranked the ninth-best for its undergraduate electrical engineering program by the U.S. News and World Report, and it ranks ninth on our list, too. The Cockrell School of Engineering hosts over 2,500 students and 70 faculty members.
School Overview
Stanford University
Stanford University offers both a Bachelor’s degree and graduate program focusing on electrical engineering. The undergraduate program focuses on providing students with technical knowledge, laboratory skills, communication skills and the skills needed to work in the profession. Students can expect to work in a broad range of careers, from governmental to industrial positions.
School Overview
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University offers a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in these same fields. The two Bachelor of Science programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission of ABET.
School Overview
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. This program offers courses on electromagnetics, solid-state electronics, computer systems, and more.
School Overview
Columbia University
The electrical engineering program at Columbia University teaches the fundamental of systems, circuits and software. The undergraduate program offers a rounded education in photonics and devices, signals and systems, circuits and electronics and well as communications and networking. Students have the option to continue their education through a master’s program or Ph.D./DES.
School Overview
Northwestern University
Northwestern University has two different departments that work with electrical engineering and computer science. The main BS program is available through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and it focuses on completing cutting-edge research as well as teaching signal processing, information theory, photonics, wireless communication, computer architecture and more.
School Overview
Carnegie Mellon University
At Carnegie Mellon University, the Electrical and Computer Engineering degree is an accredited degree program. The Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering has a strong curriculum that gives a comprehensive view of the industry and profession.
School Overview
Ranking Specifications
In this article, the schools above are ranked based on their overall in-state tuition as well as total enrollment. The two factors were measured and compared to one another to produce a list of the top 15 schools. Though all steps have been taken to guarantee accuracy, this list may change and the results are not guaranteed.
Surprised By Your Ranking?
If you’re working with one of the schools above and believe that there is an error, please reach out. We would be happy to discuss correcting any issues you see. If you’re interested in having your school ranked, let us know.
