Best Online Master’s In Engineering Management Degrees

A ranking of the best online master's in engineering management degrees. Programs ranked by affordability, flexibility, and academic quality.

Updated on January 31, 2023

Meet the growing demand for business-savvy tech leaders – with an Online Master's in Engineering Management from a top university.

For many engineers and scientists, a technical career eventually leads to a managerial position. But a scientific background doesn't necessarily prepare you for the realities of leading teams – or organizations. By earning a master's in engineering management, you'll bridge the gap between technology and business.

An engineering management program will improve your leadership skills – and you'll gain a solid foundation in areas like project management, financial management, strategic planning, human relations, and organizational behavior.

On graduation, you'll be ready to move into an engineering management position with the knowledge, skills, and tools you need to respond to technical and business challenges – and lead an organization to success.

What kind of engineering management master's should you get?

Many engineering management programs are practitioner-oriented, meaning they focus on applicable skills for the workplace rather than research. If your plans include further study at the doctoral level, make sure your program includes a thesis option or other major research component.

And if you're ready to dive into a degree program, but don't want to quit your job – or otherwise put your life on hold – there are lots of great options online. These programs come from top universities. And they combine outstanding academics with the flexibility – and often, affordability – that comes with an online program.

For more information on online learning, check out our ranking of the Best Online Colleges.

How much money do people make with an engineering management degree?

By earning a master's in engineering management, you'll be prepared to meet the burgeoning demand for engineering managers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this need will continue to grow steadily for the foreseeable future.

And these positions often come with lucrative salaries. While average wages for engineering managers vary depending on factors like geographical location, the industry you work in, your experience, and your education, the national average annual salary for engineering managers is $132,720.

There will be strong competition for those jobs, though, and a Master's in engineering management will give you the edge you need.

What can you do with a degree in engineering management?

Engineering managers find employment in many industries, from manufacturing and architecture to mining, scientific research, and government. Equipped with the crucial mix of business and technical skills, students with a master's in engineering management will have many career options open to them.

Graduates find jobs as consultants, managers, and analysts, among other positions. Or if you have entrepreneurial leanings, the degree will give you the skills – and confidence – to start your own successful business.

You may find work in many environments, including:

  • Manufacturing

  • Service organizations

  • Government agencies

  • Healthcare providers

  • Professional consulting companies

What are the requirements for a degree in engineering management?

Admittance to an engineering management program can be competitive, and requirements vary from program to program. One thing all programs on our list have in common is the requirement of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in a science or engineering field. In addition to that, many programs have specific prerequisites that you'll need to have (like calculus or statistics) before being admitted.

Also, some program admission committees are only interested in applicants with relevant work experience (the time varies from two to four years). And many, though not all, programs will want to see your GRE scores. You may also need to send in a resume and/or professional or academic references.

What are the best engineering management degrees?

You've mastered the technical stuff – now you need a great program to hone your management skills. That's where College Choice comes in. We know you're looking for academic excellence and a high return on investment – and we've come up with a methodology that represents just that.

Our research team weighs crucial data like national reputation scores (from sources like U.S. News and World Report), tuition (from the National Center for Educational Statistics), and early career earnings of graduates. The result is a College Choice score that we believe reflects the quality of program you'll encounter on enrollment. Good luck in your search!

Rankings

See our rankings methodology page.

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