Rankings / Online
Best Online Engineering Programs
- 50
- Schools
- $49,396
- Avg. Earnings
- 42%
- Avg. Graduation
- $13,736
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,803
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $22,953 to $102,772, a 4.5× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Durham Technical Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $36,142 in median earnings against $1,664 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Durham Technical Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $1,664 a year in net price.
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Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of its students, versus a 42% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Johns Hopkins University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.12× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide ($84,131 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($102,772), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Durham Technical Community College costs $1,664 a year and Colorado Christian University costs $29,500. Yet their graduates earn $36,142 and $50,416, nowhere near the $27,836 price gap.
- On value, Durham Technical Community College beats Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Durham Technical Community College and Johns Hopkins University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Engineering is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $47K within a decade, and mechanical engineer roles are projected to grow 10%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $84,131 ▲ +70% vs avg | $18,725 | 21% | 100 |
| 2 Johnson College #2 overall | $55,194 ▲ +12% vs avg | $19,954 | 51% | 100 |
| 3 Western Governors University #3 overall | $60,615 ▲ +23% vs avg | $12,548 | 48% | 100 |
| $42,186 ▼ -15% vs avg | $22,472 | 43% | 100 | |
| $63,435 ▲ +28% vs avg | $19,550 | 34% | 100 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Online Engineering Programs
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $49,396 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 42% and an average net price of $13,736.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Durham Technical Community College — Net Price: $1,664 | Graduation Rate: 40%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Johns Hopkins University — 94% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus — Median alumni earnings: $102,772
Research Note
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Engineering Talent Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about America’s engineering talent pipeline?
$45,849
Median earnings (10yr)
41%
Median graduation rate
$12,723
Median net price
1.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Engineering programs supply the people who build the physical economy: infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and the reshoring of advanced production. Earnings are high and unusually stable. ABET accreditation and licensure structure the field, and demand is being pulled forward by infrastructure spending and a wave of retirements.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 41%. Median graduate earnings reach $45,849 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $12,723 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $18,450. Some 34% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.9%.
What we’re seeing: ABET-accredited, co-op-heavy programs convert strong starting pay into durable careers, and reshoring keeps widening demand. Median earnings of $45,849 sit well above most fields. Engineering remains one of the most dependable returns in higher education.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Daytona Beach, FL · 58% accepted · $18,725 net
Why it ranks #1
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide lands at #1 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $84,131 a decade after enrolling, 70% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,725 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Johnson College lands at #2 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,194 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,954 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Western Governors University lands at #3 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $60,615 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,548 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Grand Canyon University lands at #4 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $42,186 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,472 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
University Park, PA · 91% accepted · $19,550 net
Why it ranks #5
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus lands at #5 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,550 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Liberty University lands at #6 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $44,813 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,357 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
National University lands at #7 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $67,548 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,878 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Arizona State University Digital Immersion lands at #8 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $62,668 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus lands at #9 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $44,792 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,714 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Fort Wayne, IN · $20,473 net
Why it ranks #10
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies lands at #10 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $47,327 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,473 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Saint Leo University lands at #11 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $48,364 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,293 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Capitol Technology University lands at #12 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $85,035 a decade after enrolling, 72% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,102 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Salish Kootenai College lands at #13 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $32,725 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,945 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Campus lands at #14 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (37/100). Graduates earn a median $44,792 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,470 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Lamar University lands at #15 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $49,652 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,366 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Wilkes University lands at #16 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $63,454 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,743 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Spring Arbor University lands at #17 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $51,732 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,353 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
McMurry University lands at #18 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $48,779 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,581 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Western Texas College lands at #19 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $42,508 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,562 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Catawba Valley Community College lands at #20 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $36,977 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,528 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
SUNY College of Technology at Canton lands at #21 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $47,860 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,268 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Atlanta, GA · 14% accepted · $12,116 net
Why it ranks #22
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus lands at #22 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $102,772 a decade after enrolling, 108% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,116 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Central State University lands at #23 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $33,267 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,096 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Arkansas State University lands at #24 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $42,617 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,366 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
The University of Texas Permian Basin lands at #25 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $56,073 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,723 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Johns Hopkins University lands at #26 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $87,555 a decade after enrolling, 77% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Durham Technical Community College lands at #27 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,142 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,664 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Miles Community College lands at #28 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,862 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,405 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
University of West Florida lands at #29 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $49,137 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,364 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Regent University lands at #30 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $44,498 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,923 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo lands at #31 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $39,067 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,369 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Roxbury Community College lands at #32 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (33/100). Graduates earn a median $38,773 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,244 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Blackfeet Community College lands at #33 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (12/100). Graduates earn a median $22,953 a decade after enrolling, 54% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,410 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Sacramento City College lands at #34 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by social mobility (35/100). Graduates earn a median $42,214 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,614 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Ventura College lands at #35 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $43,430 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $-982 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Carolina University lands at #36 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (54/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $32,864 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,828 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Colorado Christian University lands at #37 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $50,416 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,500 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Moorpark College lands at #38 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $49,044 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $-2,296 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Bristol Community College lands at #39 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,663 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,547 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Mount Vernon Nazarene University lands at #40 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $49,555 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,421 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
University of North Dakota lands at #41 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $63,552 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,551 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Odessa College lands at #42 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $42,026 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,368 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Seminole State College lands at #43 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $35,390 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,628 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Prince George's Community College lands at #44 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $47,548 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,672 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Oral Roberts University lands at #45 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,885 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,365 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Atlantic Cape Community College lands at #46 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $34,241 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,392 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Southern Utah University lands at #47 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (67/100). Graduates earn a median $50,296 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,462 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Harrisburg Area Community College lands at #48 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $42,007 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,471 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
San Joaquin Delta College lands at #49 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $43,212 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,407 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Oklahoma City Community College lands at #50 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $38,146 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,739 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Top states on this list
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Mechanical Engineers and related roles — a field with $99,510 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Mechanical Engineer career guide →Online engineering programs are increasingly popular as more students seek flexible learning options that fit their busy lives. With the average earnings for graduates in this field at $63,331, the right choice can significantly impact future financial stability.
The best programs share strong outcomes, such as high graduation rates and manageable debt levels. When reviewing the list below, consider how each school's earnings and graduation rates reflect its overall value and potential return on investment. These metrics paint a clearer picture of what to expect from each program.
For example, the University of Florida-Online stands out with an impressive 81% graduation rate and a low net price of $4,815, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious students. In contrast, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide has a higher graduation rate of 21% but comes with a significantly higher debt burden of $23,666. These differences highlight the trade-offs students must consider as they weigh their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 33 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.9%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Odessa College leads the group at 4.7%, with Saint Leo University (3.6%) and The University of Texas Permian Basin (3%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 14.1% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Roxbury Community College enrolls the most, at 36.6%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 17.8% across the list, peaking at 58.6% at Johns Hopkins University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.38, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Colorado Christian University is highest at 1.84.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
The data reveals a noticeable disparity between schools like the University of Florida-Online and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide. While Florida's program boasts an 81% graduation rate, Embry-Riddle's stands at just 21%. This difference can lead to vastly different financial outcomes down the road, with Florida graduates earning an average of $71,588 compared to Embry-Riddle's $84,131, which comes with a higher debt burden.
After reviewing these programs, consider how each school aligns with your personal goals. Think about the importance of location, program fit, and financial investment. If you're prioritizing affordability, Western Governors University with its $12,548 net price might be a better fit than a higher-cost option, even if its earnings are lower.
The stakes are high as we pick a path from college to stable employment. A well-chosen engineering program can lead to meaningful earnings, but it’s essential to balance potential income against debt and graduation rates. One family's decision could shape their financial future and job prospects for years to come.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Online Engineering Programs: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Online Engineering Programs ranking? +
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide in Daytona Beach, FL ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Online Engineering Programs ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $84,131 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 21% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus posts the highest median earnings on this list: $102,772 ten years after enrollment, well above the $49,396 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Durham Technical Community College leads: graduates earn a median $36,142 against net price of about $1,664 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Johns Hopkins University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 94%, compared with a 42% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $14,390 a year across the 47 ranked schools with cost data. Durham Technical Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $1,664. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Online Engineering Programs ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
