There are numerous work options in the relatively big technical field of electrical engineering. For this reason, a lot of educational opportunities are provided by various universities around the globe for people who desire to study electrical engineering.
You can enroll in one of the best electrical engineering colleges in the state if you live in the US or want to go there for higher education and enjoy working with electrical systems.
There are 426 electrical engineering schools in the US. Typically, some universities mix their computer engineering and electronics curricula.
We will put you in touch with the top ten universities that are fully accredited and provide programs leading to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees to help you construct an easier route for your career.
In addition, we have highlighted key data that is pertinent to your career as an electrical engineer. You can navigate the options with the aid of the table of contents.
One of the engineering disciplines with the broadest range of applications, from nanotechnology to wireless communication, is electrical engineering. Electrical engineers are compensated second only to computer engineers in terms of pay, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
A degree in electrical engineering has become a popular choice among Indian students looking to study abroad in the US due to the abundance of career prospects and the industry's positive growth forecast.
The definition of electrical engineering
The study, design, and implementation of tools, gadgets, and systems utilizing electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism are all aspects of electrical engineering.
To process information and convey energy, a system must have electromagnetism, which is studied and applied in physics and mathematics.
The different specialties in electrical engineering include
- engineering in power.
- Engineering in command.
- Engineering in telephony.
- Engineering involves instruments.
- Computer science.
- Engineering in electronics.
- Microelectronics.
- Signal manipulation.
A skilled designer and developer of electrical systems with the capacity to recognize and address electrical and electronic issues is known as an electrical engineer.
Although it may take a long time, becoming an engineer can be quite lucrative. However, it necessitates education, devotion, originality, and creative thinking. Most electrical engineers are employed by businesses and industries. Some people have jobs in colleges and government organizations.
Researching, testing, and supervising the production of electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, transformers, electric motors, electric switchboards, radar, and navigation systems are all part of their job description.
Why Are There US Electrical Engineering Schools?
Science and math are not required to pursue electrical engineering. It also includes topics like communication, ethics, business, and economics. However, there are several advantages related to the field of electrical engineering.
The top research universities in the world are among those in the US that offer electrical engineering degrees. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly, and many more annual publications list them according to their rankings.
The best electrical engineering colleges in the US are known for having knowledgeable faculty members and the most up-to-date technology available for students to learn from.
The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Shell Oil Company, BMW Group, and leading electrical transmission firms are just a few of the industries where graduates of these colleges find relevant employment prospects.
In reality, after graduating from a prestigious electrical engineering program in the US, you'll have the knowledge and capacity to be a highly creative person and to advance technology as a result.
How to be an electrical engineer?
Given the extensive training and creative thinking needed, being an electrical engineer may appear difficult.
A bachelor's degree is frequently needed for entry-level positions in electrical engineering firms. Essentially, the coursework for a bachelor's degree consists of differential equations, electrical circuit theory, and digital systems design.
Typical engineering degree programs give students the chance to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations through industrial training or internships.
Electrical engineers who want to operate in any utility industry must obtain a license. Therefore, you must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) test to be eligible.
After graduation, most electrical engineering students sit for the FE exam. You are known as an engineer-in-training if you receive a passing score on the FE (EITs).
You can now call yourself an engineer after successfully passing the Professional Engineer (PE) exam. EITs require four years of relevant work experience before they may sit for the Professional Engineer (PE) test.
After earning your bachelor's degree and passing the necessary professional tests, you might want to pursue a Master's degree to enhance your career. In essence, the graduate program is an extension of the undergraduate curriculum, though it will also be more extensive and difficult.
If you already hold a master's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related subject, you may choose to pursue a Ph.D. in addition to your first and second degrees. This will open doors for you to work in research or teaching at the highest levels of the industry.
What is the duration of the US electrical engineering program?
There are several different programs available in US electrical engineering colleges for both undergraduate and graduate students. The postgraduate program takes two to three years to complete, while the undergraduate study normally takes five years.
A strong foundation in science and engineering forms the basis of the instruction. For two years, you may anticipate attending lectures and classes in fundamental engineering drawing where you'll learn about electrical & electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, ICT, and other topics related to the engineering industry.
In a similar vein, graduate degrees can be finished in three to five years and call for 36 to 44 credits.
If you don't know what to anticipate from the curriculum, it may be impossible for you to excel in any electrical engineering program. One of the keys to a career in engineering is to attend engineering school.
What are the Best Electrical Engineering Schools In the USA?
The top 20 electrical engineering colleges in the USA are listed below. We chose these schools based on their availability of electrical engineering programs, educational quality, average graduate salaries, accreditation, and several other important considerations.
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology has given full approval to each of the institutions listed below (ABET)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
$53,450 for tuition
Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET accreditation
If you want to get the most out of your electrical engineering profession, you should think about attending MIT. The QS world rankings place this institution at the top of the list of the finest electrical engineering schools.
The reason is that the institution has a relatively small student-faculty ratio which allows the students to build strong relationships with their tutors and other students.
This university's EE department offers programs leading to bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degrees and is fully approved. At MIT, it is the biggest undergraduate program.
Students can obtain practical experience thanks to the program curriculum. Additionally, the section provides chances for cutting-edge technological innovations like robotics.
Stanford University Location: 94305 Stanford, California
$51,354 for tuition
Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET accreditation
Stanford University is a member of the Ivy League. With position #2 in her School of Engineering, US News and World Report data demonstrate that Standford consistently places among the top 5 national colleges.
Additionally, there are 7 (seven) students per teacher in Stanford's electrical engineering school. This gives the students a higher possibility of receiving individualized coaching during lectures.
The department of electrical and electronics engineering is well-equipped with cutting-edge resources to give students the scientific knowledge and abilities they need to contribute to society. They provide courses in physical technology, information systems, and science, as well as hardware and software systems.
Additionally, the EE department offers undergraduate students the chance to collaborate directly with faculty members and their research teams on cutting-edge research subjects.
Harvard University
Address: Cambridge, MA 02138
Tuition: $49,653
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Harvard University has one of the top programs in electrical engineering. In the 2020 edition of the top national universities and colleges, the school comes in at number two.
The electrical engineering department at the university offers specializations in Signals and systems theory, Control systems, and Robotics.
The curriculum of the degree includes a variety of research topics, from gadgets to systems, including computer architecture and the human brain.
Harvard provides financial aid to students in the form of loans and scholarships to meritorious students in addition to the program curriculum.
Georgia Institute Of Technology
Address: Pasadena, CA 91125
Tuition: $16,507(per semester)
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
One of the top engineering programs is offered by GIT, which has a technology-focused concentration. According to U.S. News and World Report, Georgia Institute of Technology's Electrical Engineering program is among the top 10.
40 hours of free technical electives in 11 different specializations are available as part of the program curriculum. A five-year combined B.S./M.S. program is also an option for students in this program. Practical training is introduced to students starting in their first year of study.
Numerous research opportunities are provided to students through the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
California Institute of Technology
Address: Pasadena, CA 91125
Tuition: $54,537
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
According to the 2020 edition of Best Colleges and National Universities, the California Institute of Technology is ranked number twelve.
A bachelor's degree program in electrical engineering is available in the subfields of electromagnetic engineering, signals, systems, and transforms.
The department also has a fantastic environment that allows for a balance of in-class lectures, laboratory work, and design experience.
Telecommunications, solid-state, robotics, information, computer science, and electrical systems are the main topics of the department's course program.
At EE Caltech, undergraduate and graduate students can pursue a wide range of theoretical and experimental studies. The school also provides financial help, demonstrating its accessibility to all students.
Cornell University
Address: Ithaca, NY 14853-5401
Tuition: $29,500
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
According to data from U.S. News and World Report, Cornell Engineering is among the top 15 programs nationwide. According to the QS World University Rankings, it is also one of the top 20 universities in the world.
This school's EE program consists of mathematics, computers, and physics. However, topics in circuits, semiconductor technology, and optical systems are covered in the physics course.
In a similar vein, the Computer program covers microprocessors and computing hardware. Additionally, the department's math course covers subjects including information, networks, and systems.
University of Illinois
Address: Urbana, IL 61801
Tuition: $35,458
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois is a top-notch electrical engineering department. Students can acquire the principles that will help them become excellent engineers in any job setting, thanks to the school's top-notch curriculum.
Courses in subfields like Fields and Waves, Analog Signal Processing, and Digital Systems Laboratory are offered in the curriculum.
EE This school's students have access to the Senior Design Project Lab, which provides them with high-quality, practical experience.
University of California-Berkeley
Address: Berkeley, CA
Tuition: $18,178
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
At UC-Berkeley, the EE program was established in 1868. This institution is ranked #22 among National Universities in the US Indicator Ranking 2020 and is also among the top Electrical Engineering programs worldwide.
The Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of California–Berkeley provides a broad academic program and gives students a competitive edge over other universities and top technological institutions in the state and globally.
In reality, a recent study demonstrates that the institution provides one of the world's most complete research and educational programs in the field of electrical and electronic engineering.
Introduction to Digital Electronics, Designing Information Devices and Systems, and Electronics for the Internet of Things are among the subdisciplines covered in the program curriculum.
All major corporations, institutions of higher learning, and sectors of industry are interested in hiring University of California-Berkeley graduates.
Duke University
Address: Durham, NC
Tuition: $55,695
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
One of the top EE departments in the USA is found at Duke University. The university is consistently rated as one of the top universities in the world for electrical engineering.
The degree program in electrical engineering includes several different subdisciplines, including photonics, signal processing, communications, and control systems.
These fields typically develop students' critical thinking skills and equip them to deal with issues in the realm of technology. One of the most adaptable electrical engineering degrees is offered by Duke's EE department.
Columbia University
Address: New York, NY 10027
Tuition: $29,460 per semester
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
The Electrical Engineering program at Columbia University is no exception. Columbia University is regarded as one of the best universities in the United States.
The department offers a thorough basis in pertinent subjects like Electromagnetics, Digital Systems, and Signals and Systems. These classes prepare students for careers in engineering as well as graduate or professional programs in allied fields.
Princeton University
Address: New Jersey 08544
Tuition: $54,070
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
One of the best graduate programs in electrical engineering in the United States is offered by Princeton University, another outstanding institution. Using statistics from US News, the schools are ranked as the 17th best engineering colleges.
Key ideas in Optical Electronics, Statistical Signal, and Solar Energy Conversion are covered in the Electrical Engineering department's academic curriculum.
The Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment (ACEE) and numerous other interdisciplinary research institutes and centers are made available by the EE department at Princeton.
Yale University
Address: New Haven, CT 06520
Tuition: $43,300
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Electrical and computer engineering programs at Yale are both undergraduate and graduate-level.
The program's curriculum offers research opportunities in the fields of computers, sensors, networking, microelectronics, photonics, and nanotechnology, as well as signal and image processing, communications, and control.
Each of the aforementioned courses provides students with hands-on learning opportunities, preparing them for careers in business, government, and other related fields.
If you want to make the most of your electrical engineering profession, Yale is undoubtedly a school to take into account.
University of Michigan
Address: Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122
Tuition: $32,500
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
According to U.S. News and World Report, the Electrical Engineering program at UM is among the top twenty programs worldwide.
Digital Integrated Circuits, Electronic Circuits, and Principles of Optics are among the courses offered in the curriculum.
Throughout their time at Michigan, students can participate in a variety of research pursuits thanks to the curriculum.
Virginia Polytechnic and State University
Address: Blacksburg, VA 24061
Tuition: $15,340
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Public research universities include Virginia Polytechnic and State University. The college is ranked as one of the top 75 national institutions by US News & World Report, with its College of Engineering coming in at position 27.
Additionally, elective courses in subjects including artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, antennas and satellites, and nanotechnology are available through the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Large research opportunities are available through VP in a range of subfields, including power systems, communications, electronics, and electromagnetics.
Northwestern University
Address: Evanston, IL 60208
Tuition: $58,032
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
One of the best universities for electrical engineering is Northwestern University. Through the electrical engineering department of this school, a variety of courses are offered.
The recognized EE department grants degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctorate levels. Students can learn how to design, construct, test, and upgrade electrical systems in the program's highly effective teaching and research laboratories.
Rice University
Address: Houston, TX 77005
Tuition: $46,600
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
One of the most well-liked universities in the US for electrical engineering studies is Rice University. Aspiring engineers can take advantage of the school's rich history of innovation, design, and manufacturing in the region.
The cooperative education, service-learning, and creative design initiatives that the electrical engineering department offers are intended to give students real-world experiences that will prepare them for a competitive employment market in this industry.
Carnegie Mellon University
Address: Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Tuition: $73,861
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
For those interested in earning a degree in electrical engineering, Carnegie Mellon University is a fantastic choice. This university has received full accreditation and is rated among the best colleges in the US.
The majority of the electrical engineering degree programs offered by CMU are at the master's level.
To prepare themselves for further in-depth study, students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering start their academic careers with a demanding set of courses in mathematics, the natural sciences, and fundamental engineering.
However, students study more complex fundamental engineering topics in their last year. They are free to select their regional expertise.
You'll graduate from your program with a strong foundation in the subject, having learned about electrical machines, power systems, and circuits, among other things.
University of Texas, Austin
Address: Austin, TX 78712, United States
Tuition: $10,554(in-state); $19,320(out-of-state)
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Courses in the EE program at UT prepare students for careers in research and development, product design, or materials engineering at prestigious companies.
The department offers cutting-edge research, development, and design training to students in the classroom.
To improve modern society, students learn how to design and produce safe and effective electrical systems.
University of Pennsylvania
Address: Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tuition: $41,796
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Electrical engineering degree programs are versatile and available at the University of Pennsylvania. The engineering program at this school is among the top 15% nationwide.
The department offers degree programs that provide a focus on fundamental, experimental, and research-based methods for all branches of electrical engineering.
Students at all levels can benefit from this program's skills, knowledge, and perspective on the rapidly evolving profession of electrical engineering.
Johns Hopkins University
Address: Baltimore, Maryland
Tuition: $55,850
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University provides a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. One of the top universities in the country for electrical engineering is this institution.
The department's cutting-edge facilities, knowledgeable faculty, and extensive scientific and engineering resources enable it to apply theories and facts to solve practical issues.
Johns Hopkins offers financial aid to meritorious students in the form of loans and scholarships in addition to its conventional EE program.
What Can I Do With Electrical Engineering Degree?
One of the science and technology occupations with a wide range of work options in electrical engineering. You could even start your own business. Some of the jobs that an electrical engineer may be qualified for are listed below.
- energy industry engineer
- Engineer in electronics
- naval architect
- vehicle engineer
- Engineer in the aerospace
- petroleum engineer
- Medical technician
What Do Electrical Engineers Make In The US?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for electrical engineers was $96,640 in May 2018. Electrical engineers in the top 10% of the field may expect to make more than $143,000 a year, while those in the bottom 10% can anticipate earning an average salary of $60,000.
The average total salary for an early-career Electrical Engineer with 1-4 years of experience, calculated from 35 salaries, is $3,981.91. Based on 20 incomes, a mid-career Electrical Engineer with 5 to 9 years of experience makes an average annual salary of $5,418.72.
Additionally, based on 11 salaries, the average annual salary for an experienced Electrical Engineer with 10 to 19 years of experience is #5596.71.
What Are the Career Prospects for Electrical Engineering?
According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, electrical and electronics engineers' overall employment is expected to expand by 2% between 2018 and 2028, which is slower than the average for all occupations.
Engineers have greater job opportunities as technology develops in businesses and sectors.