20 Top Electrical Engineering Schools In USA |  Ranking

Electrical Engineering is a very large technical profession and offers a wide range of job opportunities. For this reason, many institutions across the world offer educational opportunities for individuals who want to study electrical engineering.

If you live in the US and you will like to work with electrical systems, you can enroll in one of the top electrical engineering schools in the state.

Apparently, there are 426 electrical engineering schools available in the US. Usually, some schools combine electronics and computer engineering programs.

In other to create an easy path for your career, we will connect you with the best 20 institutions that are fully accredited and offer programs leading to a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees.

Not just that, we have highlight some relevant information that will help you in your journey as an electrical engineer. The table of contents will help you navigate the options.

What Is Electrical Engineering?

Electrical engineering is the study, design, and application of equipment, devices, and systems that use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.

It is also the study and application of physics and mathematics to the flow of electrons to generate electromagnetism in a system in other to process information and transmit energy.

The various branches of Electrical engineering are,

  • Power engineering.
  • Control engineering.
  • Telecommunications engineering.
  • Instrumentation engineering.
  • Computer engineering.
  • Electronic engineering.
  • Microelectronics.
  • Signal processing.

An Electrical Engineer is a person who is skillful in the designs and development of electrical systems, has the ability to identify and solve electrical and electronic problems.

Becoming an Engineer may take a lot of time but it is very Lucrative. However, it requires training, commitment, creative thinking and also your ability to be innovative. Most Electrical Engineers often work in Industries and companies. Others work in government agencies and colleges.

Their role is to research, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, like the Circuit breakers, Transformers electric motors, Electric switchboards, radar, and navigation systems.

Why Electrical Engineering Schools In US?

Electrical Engineering is not limited to study science and mathematics. It also covers areas like economics, business, ethics, and communication. However, there are numerous benefits connected with the Electrical engineering discipline.

Electrical engineering schools in the US are among the most prominent and renowned research institutions in the world. They rank in annual publications such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly, and many others.

US top has a place with well-recognized electrical engineering schools loaded with experienced staff and also have the latest technologies for students to gain knowledge and experience.

Graduates of these schools find relevant opportunities in a range of sectors including The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Shell Oil Company, BMW Group, and top electricity transmission companies.

In fact, after graduation from a top electrical engineering school in the US, you will gain the skills and potentials to be a highly innovative individual and thus contribute to the growth of technology.

How Can I Become An Electrical Engineer?

Becoming an Electrical Engineer may seem a bit challenging because it requires a lot of training and creative thinking.

Many employers require a bachelor’s degree as an entry-level in an electrical engineering firm. Basically, the bachelor’s degree coursework includes digital systems design, electrical circuit theory, and differential equations.

A typical engineering degree programs provide the opportunity to exhibit classroom skills in real-world environments through industrial training or internships. 

If you want to work in any utility field as an electrical engineer, you must get licensure. So, to qualify, you will be required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.

Usually, electrical engineering students take the FE exam upon graduation. With your passing grade on the FE, you are called engineers-in-training (EITs). When you finally pass the Professional Engineer (PE) exam you now claim the Engineer title. To qualify for the Professional Engineer (PE) exam, EITs must have four years of relevant work experience. 

After acquiring your bachelor’s degree and passing the relevant professional exams, you may wish to advance your career by obtaining a Master’s degree. Basically, the graduate program is a continuation of the undergraduate curriculum but it will be more vast and challenging as well.

In addition to the first and second degree, if you possess a master’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field, you may decide to pursue a Ph.D. Apparently, this will launch you into opportunities at the top levels of industry and employment in research or teaching. 

If you worried about how to fund your program, you can access 401+ Scholarships for Engineering students.

How Long Does It Take To Complete Electrical Engineering Program In US?

Electrical engineering schools in US offer a wide range of programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. The Undergraduate coursework typically takes about five years, while the postgraduate curriculum takes two to three years to complete.

The training begins with a solid foundation in science and engineering. For 2 years, you can expect to take lectures and basic engineering drawing classes where you are exposed to basic electrical & electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, ICT, and other content relevant to the field of engineering.

Similarly, the graduate programs require 36 to 44 credits and can be completed within 3 to 5 years.

In maybe impossible for you to succeed in any electrical engineering school if you don’t know what to expect from the program. engineering school is one of the secrets to success in the profession.

The tips below are secrets to success in top electrical engineering schools in the US. They will help you to not just gain admission but graduate with an excellent degree.

How much does it cost to become an electrical engineer?

Acquiring an Electrical Engineering degree costs a lot of money, time, and effort but it eventually pays.

However, data from the U.S. Department of Education’s 2018-2019 IPEDS shows that; For two year Electrical and Electronics Engineering associate programs, the average total cost per year is $24,908 with an average two-year total program cost of $49,816.

Also, the average annual out-of-state cost for a bachelor program in Electrical and Electronics Engineering is $42,167 with an estimated average four-year degree total cost of $168,668.

What are the Best Electrical Engineering Schools In USA?

Below is a list of 20 best electrical engineering schools in the USA. Our selection criteria of these schools are the number of electrical engineering programs offered by the schools, education quality, average earnings of graduates, accreditation, and several other relevant factors.

Each of the schools listed below has been fully approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

We got our data from reliable sources, testimonials, interviews, and also by contacting individual schools. You will have to read further to get information on the various degree programs offered, tuition info, and program options for these schools.

  • Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
  • Stanford University
  • Harvard University
  • Georgia Institute Of Technology
  • California Institute of Technology 
  • Cornell University
  • University of Illinois
  • University of California-Berkeley
  • Duke University
  • Columbia University
  • Princeton University 
  • Yale University
  • University of Michigan
  • Virginia Polytechnic and State University
  • Northwestern University
  • Rice University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • University of Texas, Austin 
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Johns Hopkins University 

1. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

Address: Cambridge, MA
Tuition: $53,450 
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

MIT is a school to consider if you want the best out of the electrical engineering career. In fact, this school ranks top on the list of best electrical engineering schools according to the QS world rankings.

The reason is that the institution has a relatively small student-faculty ratio which allows the students to build a strong relationship with their tutors and other students.

The EE department of this school is fully accredited and offers programs leading to a bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees. It is the largest undergraduate program at MIT.

The program curriculum enables students to gain practical experience. Also, the department offers opportunities for advanced technological innovation such as Robotics. 

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2. Stanford University

Address: Stanford, CA  94305
Tuition: $51,354 
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Stanford University is an Ivy League institution. The US News and World Report data show that Standford consistently ranks among the top 5 national universities, with position #2 in her School of Engineering.

Furthermore, the electrical engineering program at Stanford has 7(seven) students per faculty. This enables the students to have a better chance of getting personal coaching lectures.

The department of EE is well equipped with state-of-art facilities to provide students with the necessary scientific knowledge and skills they need to contribute to society. They offer programs in Hardware and Software Systems, Information Systems and Science, and Physical Technology.

Additionally, the EE department provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to work directly with faculty and their research groups on advanced research topics. 

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3. Harvard University

Address: Cambridge, MA 02138
Tuition: $49,653
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

One of the best Electrical engineering programs is that of Harvard. The school ranks #2 in the 2020 edition of the best colleges and National Universities.

The school’s department of electrical engineering features subfields including Signals and systems theory, Control systems, and Robotics.

The program curriculum covers a range of research areas from devices to systems like computer architecture and the human brain. 

In addition to the program curriculum, Harvard also offers financial aid to students in the form of loans and scholarships to deserving students.

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4. Georgia Institute Of Technology

Address: Pasadena, CA 91125
Tuition: $16,507(per semester)
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

GIT is focused on Technology and offers one of the best engineering programs. The Electrical Engineering program at Georgia Institute Of Technology ranks in the top 10 according to the U.S. News and World Report.

The program curriculum offers 40 hours of free and technical electives in 11 different specializations. The program allows students to also pursue a combined B.S./M.S. five-year program. Students are exposed to practical training beginning from their first year of study.

The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) offers a lot of research opportunities to students including ECE’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).

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5. California Institute of Technology 

Address: Pasadena, CA 91125
Tuition: $54,537
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

California Institute of Technology ranks #12 in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges and National Universities.

The Department of Electrical Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science program in subfields including Electromagnetic Engineering, Signals, Systems, and Transforms.

The department also features a wonderful setting that permits a balance of classroom lectures and laboratory and design experience.

The department course curriculum is focused on telecommunications, solid-state, robotics, information, computer science, and electrical systems.

Undergraduate and graduate students at EE Caltech can study and research, both theoretical and experimental, in a wide variety of subjects.

Additionally, the school offers financial aid and that shows that the school is accessible to all students.

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6. Cornell University

Address: Ithaca, NY 14853-5401
Tuition: $29,500
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

U.S. News and World Report data show that Cornell Engineering ranks in the top 15 nationally. It also ranks among the top 20 universities in the world by QS World University ranking.

The school EE program in this school comprises of Physics, Computer, and Mathematics. However, the Physics course covers topics in circuits, semiconductor devices, and optical systems.

Similarly, the Computer program features topics in microprocessors and computing devices. In addition, topics like information, networks, and systems are contained in the mathematical course of the department.

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7. University of Illinois

Address: Urbana, IL 61801
Tuition: $35,458
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

The University of Illinois offers a great Electrical engineering program through its Electrical and Computer Engineering. The school world-class education allows students to master the fundamentals that will make them outstanding engineers in any job settings they find themselves. 

The program features courses in subfields including Fields and Waves, Analog Signal Processing, and Digital Systems Laboratory.

EE Students in this school have access to the Senior Design Project Lab which gives them a quality experience in the field.

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8. University of California-Berkeley

Address: Berkeley, CA
Tuition: $18,178
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

The EE program at UC-Berkeley started in 1868. According to the US indicator ranking 2020, this school ranks #22 in National Universities and is also one of the best Electrical Engineering schools in the world.

The Department of Electrical Engineering of UC-Berkeley offers a wide academic curriculum and gives the students an advantage to Top technological organizations in the State and worlds at large.

In fact, a recent study shows that the school offers one of the most comprehensive research and instructional programs in EE field anywhere in the world.

The program curriculum cover subdisciplines including Introduction to Digital Electronics, Designing Information Devices and Systems, and Electronics for the Internet of Things

Graduates from the University of California-Berkeley are sought by all major companies, government agencies, and industries.

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9. Duke University

Address: Durham, NC
Tuition: $55,695
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Duke University EE department is one of the best in the USA. The college consistently ranks among the best electrical engineering college nationally and internationally.

The Electrical Engineering degree program encompasses subdisciplines such as Computer Engineering and Digital Systems, Signal Processing, Communications, and Control Systems, Photonics, and a few others.

Usually, these disciplines enhance the student’s thinking and prepare them to handle problems in the technology world. Duke’s EE department has one of the most flexible Electrical engineering programs available.

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10. Columbia University

Address: New York, NY 10027 
Tuition: $29,460 per semester
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Columbia University is considered to be one of the top universities in the United States and thus the Electrical Engineering program is no exception. 

The department provides a comprehensive background in relevant topics such as Signals and Systems, Digital Systems, and Electromagnetics. These courses prepare students for work in the engineering field and advanced professional or graduate program in a related discipline.

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11. Princeton University 

Address: New Jersey 08544
Tuition: $54,070
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Princeton University is another great school that offers one of the top Electrical engineering graduate programs in the Us. The schools rank #17 in Best Engineering Schools based on US News data.

The Electrical Engineering department course curriculum features key concepts in Optical Electronics, Statistical Signal, and Solar Energy Conversion.  

The EE department at Princeton provides a wide range of interdisciplinary research institutes and centers at the school, including the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment (ACEE) and many others.

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12. Yale University

Address: New Haven, CT 06520
Tuition: $43,300
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Yale offers undergraduate and advanced degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The program curriculum features research opportunities in Microelectronics, Photonics and Nanotechnology; Computers, Sensors, and Networking; and Signal & Image Processing, Communications, and Control.

Students gain practical experience in each of the courses listed above and that prepares them for work in the industry, government agencies, and any related job settings.

Yale is indeed a school to consider if you want the best out of the electrical engineering career.

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13. University of Michigan

Address: Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122
Tuition: $32,500
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

UM’s Electrical Engineering program ranks in the top twenty in World according to the U.S. News and World Report.

The program features courses including Digital Integrated Circuits, Electronic Circuits, and Principles of Optics.

The curriculum offers students the opportunity to engage in various research activities that give them experience during stay at Michigan.

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14. Virginia Polytechnic and State University

Address: Blacksburg, VA 24061
Tuition: $15,340
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Virginia Polytechnic and State University is a public research university. According to the US News and World Report, the school ranks among the top 75 national universities, with its College of Engineering coming in at #27.

Additionally, the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers elective courses in areas like Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Engineering, Antennas and Satellites, and Nanotechnology.

VP also features large research opportunities in a variety of subfield including control systems, communications, electronics, electromagnetics, and power system.

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15. Northwestern University

Address: Evanston, IL 60208
Tuition: $58,032
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Northwestern University is one of the top electrical engineering colleges. This school offers a wide range of courses through the department of electrical engineering.

The EE department is accredited and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The program features very productive teaching and research laboratories that enable students to learn how to design manufacture, test, and improve electrical systems.

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16. Rice University

Address: Houston, TX 77005
Tuition:  $46,600
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Rice University is one of the most popular schools to study Electrical Engineering in the US. The school has a long history of innovation, design, and manufacturing in the state, benefiting aspiring engineers.

The department of electrical engineering offers a cooperative education, service-learning, and innovative design programs that are aimed at providing students with practical experiences that will prepare them for a competitive job market in this field.

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17. Carnegie Mellon University

Address: Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Tuition: $73,861
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Carnegie Mellon University is a great option for individuals interested in Electrical Engineering degree. This institution is fully accredited and ranks for overall college quality in the US.

CMU features various degree programs in electrical engineering with master’s degrees as the most popular.

Students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering begin their studies with a rigorous series of courses in mathematics, natural sciences, and basic engineering to prepare themselves for more advanced study.

However, towards the final year, students study more advanced essential engineering topics. They are allowed to choose their area specialties.

At the end of your program, you’ll gain a solid foundation in the field, learning about Circuits, power systems, electrical machines, and more.

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18. 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

The EE program curriculum at UT features courses that prepare students for work in research and development, product design, or materials engineering at top firms.

 The department provides students with state-of-the-art research, development, and design experience in the classroom.

Students learn how to design and manufacture electrical systems that work in a safe and efficient fashion to advance today’s society.

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19. University of Pennsylvania

Address: Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tuition: $41,796
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

The University of Pennsylvania offers a flexible electrical engineering degree program. This school engineering program ranks top 15% in the United States.

The department features degree programs that emphasize fundamental, experimental, and research-based approaches to the full spectrum of electrical engineering disciplines.

This program provides students at all levels with skills, knowledge, and perspective on the fast-changing field of electrical engineering discipline.

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20. Johns Hopkins University

Address: Baltimore, Maryland
Tuition: $55,850
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET

Johns Hopkins University offers a bachelor of science in Electrical Engineering through Its Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. This school ranks as one of the best electrical engineering universities in the USA.

The department has up-to-date facilities, experienced faculty, and vast scientific and engineering resources that put theories and facts to work solving real-life problems.

Johns Hopkins, apart from featuring a standard EE program, the school also offer financial aid in the form of loan and scholarship to deserving students.

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Other top ranked Electrical engineering schools in USA are listed below;

What Can I Do With Electrical Engineering Degree?

Electrical Engineering is one of the science and tech professions that has a variety of job opportunities. You may even create your own job. Below are some of the job positions available for an electrical engineer.

How Much Do Electrical Engineers In US Earn?

The median annual wage for electrical engineers was $96,640 in May 2018 according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics. The top 10% of all electrical engineers can earn more than $143,000 a year and engineers in the bottom 10% can expect to earn an average of $60,000 annually.

Also, an early-career Electrical Engineer with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $3,981.91 based on 35 salaries. A mid-career Electrical Engineer with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total income of $5,418.72 based on 20 salaries.

In addition, an experienced Electrical Engineer with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total income of #5596.71 based on 11 salaries.

What Is The Electrical Engineering Career Prospect?

Data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics shows that the Overall employment of electrical and electronics engineers is projected to grow 2% from 2018 to 2028, slower than the average for all occupations.

As technology advances, more opportunities are created in companies and industries for engineers.

Electrical engineering is a fast-growing field in the engineering sector and offers a huge range of career opportunities. If you live in the US and would like to work with electricity, you can take advantage of electrical engineering colleges in the US that we have created on our list.

Best Electrical Engineering Schools In USA Frequently Asked Questions

Does US have top-ranked electrical engineering colleges?

US has top-ranked electrical engineering colleges like Stanford University and many others.

How much is tuition in electrical engineering schools?

Tuition in electrical engineering schools ranges from $10,000 and $60,000. However, most schools in the US offer financial aid to students.

What do graduates of top electrical engineering schools do?

Graduates of top electrical engineering schools in the US work in IT firms, manufacturing industries, communications, and aerospace. Also, they may get employed by companies that manufacture navigation controls and medical equipment.

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