Learn to approach problems with an analytical mind when you join the community of engineering majors at Southern New Hampshire University. By backing up your applied math and science skills with a deep understanding of statistical, technical and quantitative knowledge, your degree prepares you for many industries.
Our curriculum mimics the work you’ll do in the real world, filled with hands-on projects and experiential learning as well as the theories needed to arrive at practical solutions. Our faculty members have worked in the field you want to break into, allowing you to complement your coursework with knowledge from today’s engineering environments.
Make an impact when you earn your engineering degree at SNHU, a university recognized for our innovative and transformative programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get an engineering degree online?
Of course! So many technical subjects today – like engineering – translate well to the online learning environment.
Southern New Hampshire University is one such school that offers bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering.
When you're choosing a school offering an online engineering program, there are a few things you'll want to consider:
- Is it accredited? It's so important to do your research. Make sure that you look for the accreditations page on the websites of the schools you're looking at. It's best if it offers regional accreditation. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor, which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
- Is it quality online education? Being accredited can assure you of that. But a school like SNHU, for instance, also has years of online education experience. Considered a leader in the space, we launched our online platforms back in 1995. And we work with subject-matter experts to help us update our programs as changes and advances are made in the field.
- Is it convenient? There's a reason people attend school online – and that's because the traditional brick-and-mortar schedule just doesn't work for them. You'll be able to access your coursework 24/7, meaning you can complete weekly assignments at noon or midnight, or anywhere in between. You can truly earn a degree at your own pace.
- Is it affordable? Another reason that people choose online education to earn their degree is that the online tuition rates are typically lower. When you get your engineering degree for less at an institution like SNHU, you improve your return on investment (ROI).
If you're interested in earning an engineering degree, getting it online may be the right way for you to go.
How much does an online engineering degree cost?
The cost of an online engineering degree varies, as each college sets its own tuition rates. If you're worried about affordability, there are schools that make low tuition rates a priority, so that you can reach your goals.
One of those institutions is Southern New Hampshire University. We're known for having some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation. And because our engineering degrees are so affordable, you can get a better return on your investment.
Our 120-credit bachelor's degrees have a tuition cost of $39,600 – or only $330 per credit hour. And our master's degrees are just $637 per credit, which equals $22,932 for a 36-credit graduate program.
There are a few ways you may be able to offset costs, however.
SNHU offers generous transfer policies to our students. In our bachelor's programs, we're able to accept up to 90 credits. That means you have the possibility of only paying for 30 credits (10 classes) to earn your SNHU degree.
Our master's programs now accept up to 12 graduate credits from your previous accredited institutions. That can save you over $7,000.
Plus, we have a talented Student Financial Services team that aims to keep the cost as low as possible. If you're eligible for financial aid, our counselors can walk you through your award and help you decipher what each part of it means.
Note: Fees for books or other materials may apply each term, as well.
How long does an online engineering degree take?
Traditionally, a bachelor's degree is done in 4 years, while a master's degree could be around 1-2 years.
However, because so many students in online degree programs aren't earning their degree through the traditional, post-high school path, the online schedule is fully dependent on you and when you can successfully do your engineering coursework.
At Southern New Hampshire University, online education is all about convenience, and we try to remove as many barriers as we can so that you can reach your goals.
Here, you have the option of take 1 course per term as a part-time student or 2 courses per term as a full-time student. How you earn your engineering degree is up to you.
If you're busy with work, family and other obligations – or even if you just want to see how a class can fit into your schedule – then you may want to begin your studies as a part-time student.
If you have more free time – or if you want to reach your goals on a shorter timeline – enrolling as a full-time student may be your best option.
Another way you'll be able to shorten the time it takes to earn your online engineering degree is by transferring in credits that you've already earned. Whether you have credits from other accredited institutions or from your military training, SNHU has a generous transfer policy that wants to make use credits you have – helping you get to the finish line faster.
We accept up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's degree and up to 12 for your master's. For an undergraduate degree, that means you may need only as few as 10 classes to complete your coursework and finish your program. At SNHU, that translates to less than a year if you're a full-time student.
Online education puts you in control, and it gives you the opportunity to get to your goals when you need to.
Which degree is best for engineering?
Since "best" is subjective, it may be more helpful to look into what you think is best for you. There are many types of engineering, so you'll need to narrow it down to an area you're most interested in.
Southern New Hampshire University offers both online and campus programs in engineering.
In 2020, SNHU opened the 67,000-square-foot School of Engineering, Technology and Aeronautics, the home for all of its STEM programs. This gave campus students the opportunity to use state-of-the-art technology, like robotics labs, a drone arena and a wind tunnel.
Campus programs include:
- BS in Aeronautical Engineering
- BS in Computer Science
- BS in Construction Management
- BS in Electrical Engineering
- BS in Game Programming & Development
- BS in Mechanical Engineering
SNHU has also continued to build up its portfolio of online engineering programs.
Online programs include:
- BS in Computer Science
- BS in Game Programming & Development
- MBA in Engineering Management
- MS in Management / Construction Management
SNHU launches programs that the workforce needs to best prepare graduates for the job market. The engineering field is expecting some growth: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the most in-demand areas as infrastructure, renewable energy, robotics, and oil and gas extraction.1 The median wage for engineering and architecture occupations was $81,440 in May 2019.1 That's more than double the median salary for all occupations.
Visit our program pages above to see which one of these degrees is the best fit for your goals.
Which engineering career has the highest salary?
Engineering is a great career to jump into because of the salary. Many positions have the potential to get you 6-figure earnings, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows earnings that are much higher than the annual median wage for all occupations in the United States.
Here are some of the median annual salaries from May 20191, according to the BLS:
- Aerospace engineers: $116,500
- Agricultural engineers: $80,720
- Biomedical engineers: $91,410
- Chemical engineers: $108,770
- Civil engineers: $87,060
- Computer hardware engineers: $117,220
- Electrical and electronics engineers: $101,250
- Environmental engineers: $88,860
- Health and safety engineers: $91,410
- Industrial engineers: $88,020
- Materials engineers: $93,360
- Mechanical engineers: $88,430
- Mining and geological engineers: $91,160
- Nuclear engineers: $113,460
- Petroleum engineers: $137,720
Whichever engineering career you're most interested in, you should be able to expect a good salary after receiving your degree.
Is an engineering degree a BS?
Typically, the type of degree an undergraduate engineering program would be categorized as would be a Bachelor of Science (BS).
At Southern New Hampshire University, all of our engineering bachelor's degrees fall under the Bachelor of Science category.
Oftentimes a program is designated as a Bachelor of Science because what you gain from it is more specific technical or scientific skills. For example, other BS majors include data analytics, computer science and health information management.
Also, today's employers are seeking these skills from new graduates entering the job market. Earning a Bachelor of Science can indicate that you've completed the courses necessary and developed the hard skills to do a particular job.
There's no right or wrong choice when it comes to earning a Bachelor of Science versus a Bachelor of Arts. In choosing a program, you'll want to familiarize yourself with the curriculum, the program's outcomes and the jobs you'll be positioned for.
Is a bachelor's degree enough for engineering?
Yes, a bachelor's degree is typically enough for you to enter the engineering field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, engineering jobs need bachelor's degrees as entry-level education.1
Southern New Hampshire University makes it possible for you to earn your bachelor's in engineering, whether you want to do it online or on campus.
Campus bachelor's programs in engineering include:
- BS in Aeronautical Engineering
- BS in Computer Science
- BS in Construction Management
- BS in Electrical Engineering
- BS in Game Programming & Development
- BS in Mechanical Engineering
Online bachelor's programs in engineering include:
- BS in Computer Science
- BS in Game Programming & Development
Beyond that, a master's degree is an excellent route should you want to teach at the postsecondary level, advance to a leadership position or work in research and development.
References
Sources & Citations (1)
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/home.htm (viewed Aug. 4, 2020). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.