By completing an online master’s in engineering management, students can further their understanding of engineering theory and practices while preparing for a leadership or administrative role in the engineering workforce. Afterward, graduates may qualify for an architectural and engineering management job and can expect to earn an average salary of $159,920.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the cost of an online master’s in engineering management degree runs between $9,000 to $35,000 in total tuition. Most programs run between 30 to 36 credits, meaning most full-time students can complete the program in two years. You may even be able to complete the program in one year with an accelerated schedule.
How to Choose an Online Master’s in Engineering Management Program
Choose your area of study
This degree is available in several different formats, including Master of Science (MS), Master of Engineering (MEng), and Master of Business Administration (MBA). An MBA program will cover a broad range of business-related topics, while your other degree options will focus more on the technical side of engineering.
Depending on the online master’s in engineering management program a student decides on, they may need to choose a specific field of study. These fields of study, or concentrations, typically include process management, product management, operations management, and data analytics.
Each concentration prepares students for very specialized roles within the engineering workforce. Because of this, students should carefully consider what careers they would like to pursue after graduation and select a program that will best prepare them for that career. Otherwise, students may pay for classes that don’t ultimately benefit their career aspirations.
Research schools and programs
There are many different online master’s in engineering management programs to choose from, so students need to narrow down all of the possibilities to a few prospective schools
You should only consider institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate schools to ensure they provide students with a high-quality education. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
Ideally, your master’s in engineering management program will also be accredited by a respected industry group like the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). This programmatic accrediting organization has particularly high standards for engineering education.
Students should also screen schools by cost. If a program is too expensive to attend without going into significant debt, you should choose a more affordable one. Finally, students may wish to review which professors will teach potential classes. Researching what these professors specialize in can help students better understand what they will learn from these classes.
For more information about any schools that you’re interested in, you can visit the school’s website, contact an admissions counselor, follow the school on social media, or attend an in-person or virtual open house.
Prepare for tests and applications
Application requirements vary by school and program. Some online master’s in engineering management programs no longer require students to submit GRE scores with their application, but others still have it as a requirement. For schools that require these scores, pay close attention to the application deadline: it can take up to three months to study for the GRE and up to 15 days to receive test results, so students hoping to get into a program sooner rather than later should consider applying to schools that don’t require GRE scores.
Students should also verify what other materials they must submit with the application, which often includes undergrad transcripts, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and a cover letter. Before submitting an application, always contact an admissions counselor to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding requirements and deadlines.
Select your program
After narrowing things down to a few interesting schools, students must decide on which online master’s in engineering management programs to apply to.
Cost remains a significant consideration: students may wish to focus on schools that seem more affordable or offer better financial aid opportunities. Additionally, students who worry about keeping up with their academic demands may want to apply to schools that provide extensive academic support. Students hoping to network during grad school may focus on schools offering online students professional networking and internship opportunities.
Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again. Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Are you only interested in 100% online programs, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has a few in-person requirements? Some programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Students who need financial assistance to pay for their online master’s in engineering management degree should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year of their college career. After filling out this form, students will automatically be offered federal student loans, and filling out the FAFSA may qualify students for things like grants and scholarships (though these are few and far between).
Anyone who needs additional aid beyond this or is curious about available aid opportunities should contact the financial aid department of every school they are interested in applying to. Those who already work in the field should see if their employer offers tuition assistance benefits as well.
Best 50 Accredited Online Master’s in Engineering Management Programs
Discover More Options
How We Rank Schools
This list features some of the best online master’s in engineering management programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, regionally accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education. Many of the options on our list also have programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of engineering and tech-related programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online master’s in engineering management programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect from an Online Master’s in Engineering Management Program?
In an online master’s in engineering management program, students can expect courses emphasizing practical engineering skills rather than more abstract theory. In addition to advanced engineering concepts, these courses also emphasize business training, making many programs like a hybrid of an MBA and a Master of Science in engineering.
With master’s in engineering management programs, students should expect to complete practicums that help them demonstrate mastery of the different skills and concepts they have learned rather than just a thesis.
Full-time students can usually complete this online graduate program in two years. Some schools offer accelerated classes that allow full-time students to complete all required coursework within only one year. Fortunately, most schools offer flexible scheduling that can help accommodate part-time students, although part-time applicants should expect to spend at least three years completing their degree.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online master’s in engineering management degree program
- Engineering Management Science. This course involves the study and application of different mathematical models. Students will learn how these models can help them optimize systems, forecast potential problems, and simulate diverse solutions.
- Ethics and Values in Science and Technology. This course helps students navigate and understand the often complex relationship between science and technology developed by humans and how these developments shape and are shaped by ideas of morality.
- Organizational Behavior. This course teaches students to understand how humans behave in groups and how to approach job design and organization that help to foster positive performance (including keeping workers motivated and focused on their daily tasks).
- Engineering Management Strategy. This course is a capstone culmination of the different skills and concepts students have learned throughout their graduate program. It is typically discussion-based, with students having an open forum to discuss and critique the capstone projects that each of their peers completes and presents to the class.
What Can You Do With an Online Master’s in Engineering Management Degree?
Career outlook
A master’s degree in engineering management can prepare you for a career in any of the engineering fields. This includes chemical engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing, and transportation.
Graduates often take on direct leadership roles for engineering teams but may also work in higher-level positions in corporate organizations as operations managers, project engineers, or directors of engineering.
Common career paths for an engineering manager include:
- Architectural or engineering manager — Oversee projects in the fields of architecture and engineering, which may include research and development projects.
- Median annual salary: $159,920
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 4%
- New job openings projected: 13,600 annually
- Construction manager — Hire construction workers and oversee the progress of construction projects.
- Median annual salary: $101,480
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 5%
- New job openings projected: 38,700 annually
- Top executive — Coordinate the work of an organization by establishing goals, overseeing activities, and appointing department heads and managers.
- Median annual salary: $100,090
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 3%
- New job openings projected: 311,600 annually
Online Master’s in Engineering Management Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online master’s in engineering management degree program?
To apply to an online master’s in engineering management program, students must locate the application on the university website. There, students can complete and apply after verifying the requirements (including whether GRE scores, letters of recommendation, or application essays are required).
Students who still have questions about the school or the application are encouraged to contact the admissions office for the school in question. This office can answer all the student’s questions while confirming all details about the application, including whether the school now has everything they were looking for.
How much does an online master’s in engineering management degree cost?
According to U.S. News & World Report, students can expect to pay between $9,000 to $35,000 in total tuition for their online master’s in engineering management. Public schools are generally more affordable than private schools. At public schools, in-state tuition is usually much cheaper than out-of-state tuition. By carefully selecting an inexpensive program, students can ensure they don’t graduate with excessive debt.
How long does it take to earn an online master’s in engineering management degree?
Students who attend full-time can typically complete an online master’s in engineering management degree program within two years. If a student attends part-time, it may take three years to complete their coursework. For full-time students in an accelerated program, it may be possible to complete their coursework in as little as one year. Ultimately, it’s up to each student to honestly assess how much time and energy they have available for schoolwork and to pick a program that best suits their needs.
Is an online master’s in engineering management degree worth it?
If you want to increase your earning potential and take on higher-level management roles, an online master’s in engineering management degree can be your stepping stone.
Completing this degree makes you a suitable managerial candidate in most engineering disciplines. When combined with years of experience, it also puts director-level positions within reach.
Online programs give you the same education and training as a traditional classroom experience. You’ll learn about federal and state regulations and how to lead a team effectively. Projects and assignments focus on things like the application of mathematical models for accurate forecasting, ethical considerations in science and technology, and engineering management strategy.
Completing an online degree also gives you experience with collaborating and communicating with classmates and instructors in a remote environment. This will likely be increasingly valuable in the workplace as hybrid and remote teams become more popular.