Online Engineering Schools in Alaska

Although it may be one of the most remote and sparsely populated states in the nation, Alaska is home to a thriving engineering sector. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2024) reported that 7,710 engineering and architectural professionals currently work in the state out of 321,040 jobs overall. To put this in perspective, engineers and architects comprise nearly 2.4 percent of the workforce—a higher-than-average share across U.S. states.

And while compensation for engineers is typically higher than that for many other professionals, this is even more pronounced in Alaska. By illustration, while the average salary for all jobs statewide was $72,810, according to the BLS (May 2024), the mean wage for all engineering and architectural professionals was a jaw-dropping $110,330. Furthermore, some engineering professionals earned well over this, such as industrial engineers, who earned a mean salary of $147,060, and petroleum engineers, who brought home an average of $211,940 annually.

Perhaps one reason the engineering sector is so strong in Alaska is the broad support these professionals receive from local organizations. For example, the following includes a list of engineering societies in the state that offer advocacy, continuing education, and an array of other benefits for members:

Becoming an engineer in Alaska generally requires completing at least an undergraduate degree. As Alaska residents understand, this task may prove difficult, since only a handful of engineering programs are offered in the state. Specifically, the University of Alaska – Fairbanks and the University of Alaska – Anchorage both offer strong engineering degree programs, but the locations may not be convenient for some. Fortunately for those interested in pursuing a degree in engineering, there’s a wealth of online degree programs that offer a top-notch education from renowned institutions and allow students to complete their studies in their home community.

While there are no undergraduate online engineering programs offered by Alaska’s schools, residents of the state can attend distance-learning programs at out-of-state institutions. The following guide includes information about online engineering degree programs in Pacific Northwest states across various levels, as well as the exceptional professors from those schools.

Featured Online Engineering Programs
ECPI University	Electronics Engineering Technology (Bachelor's)	Visit Site
ECPI University	Mechanical Engineering Technology (Associate's)	Visit Site
ECPI University	Mechanical Engineering Technology (Bachelor's)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Electrical Engineering (BSE)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Industrial Engineering (MS)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Mechanical Engineering (BSE)	Visit Site
American Public University	Engineering: Electrical Engineering (BEng)	Visit Site
Southern New Hampshire University	Online MBA - Engineering Management	Visit Site
sponsored × When you click on a sponsoring school or program advertised on our site, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.

Meet the Expert: William E. Schnabel, PhD

William E. Schnabel is dean of the College of Engineering and Mines at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He also serves in leadership roles with the Institute of Northern Engineering and the Water and Environmental Research Center, where his work focuses on water resources, environmental systems, and infrastructure challenges in Arctic and cold-region environments.

With a background in environmental engineering and decades of research experience, Dr. Schnabel has led numerous interdisciplinary projects addressing issues such as permafrost, water quality, and sustainable infrastructure in remote communities. His work integrates engineering, environmental science, and applied research to support decision-making and resilience in northern regions.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What is something you wish the public understood about online engineering education in Alaska?

Dr. Schnabel: I think it would be good for the public to know that there are tons of engineering-related materials out there in the online space for folks interested in knowing what engineering education is about.

Those interested in what engineering is like in Alaska can sign up for our online ES100X course titled “Engineering Alaska.” That is our three-credit freshman-level introduction to engineering course, offered asynchronously and online at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. It is a standard intro to engineering course, but offered with an Alaska flavor. Nobody but UAF uses Ice Road Construction and Planning, for example, when covering project management concepts!

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online engineering students in Alaska?

Dr. Schnabel: Students looking to get a bachelor’s of science degree will need to come to Fairbanks for in-person classes at some point. While many of the general education courses can be taken online during the first year or two, the upper-level engineering courses are not yet offered online.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering for Alaska Students

Although no online bachelor’s degrees in engineering are currently offered through universities in Alaska, the following are distance-based programs located in the Pacific Northwest and the West Coast:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Oregon State University

Oregon State University of Corvallis offers an online undergraduate degree program in computer science. While this program awards bachelor of science degrees, it is geared towards students who already possess a bachelor’s degree, yet do not have training specifically in computer science. The program covers courses on programming fundamentals, software engineering, databases, computer systems and networking, and mobile and web development, among others.

Location: Corvallis, OR
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Expected Time to Completion: Varies

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – California State University, Monterey Bay

California State University, Monterey Bay also offers an online bachelor of science degree in computer science, which is designed to prepare students for a career in mobile app development, software engineering, technology project management, or a related field. Students must complete 120 credit-hours in subjects such as software design, internet and graphics programming, computer networks, software engineering, and more.

Location: Seaside, CA
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Expected Time to Completion: Four years

Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering for Alaska Students

While not required, a master’s degree in engineering can help professionals deepen their mastery of their field. For those interested in an online master’s degrees, here are two options in Alaska.

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (Arctic Concentration) – University of Alaska Anchorage

The online master of science in civil engineering with an arctic concentration from the University of Alaska Anchorage is designed to prepare graduate students to solve civil engineering design problems specific to cold regions, including challenges caused by frost, snow, ice, and extreme daylight conditions. The program is available through asynchronous and real-time video course delivery, allowing students from across Alaska and beyond to complete the degree remotely. Concentration options include Arctic engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, and water resources engineering.

Location: Anchorage, AK
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Master of Science in Project Management – University of Alaska Anchorage

The University of Alaska Anchorage also offers an online master of science in project management, one of the longest continuously accredited project management graduate programs in the world. Courses are delivered through a blended format combining real-time interactive video with in-person options, allowing students from across the state and around the world to participate. The program addresses contemporary project management techniques and current workforce demands in Alaska’s project-based economy.

Location: Anchorage, AK
Accreditation: Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center (PMI-GAC)
Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Other Online Engineering Programs

In addition to the distance-based bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, here are two online certificate programs from institutions in the Pacific Northwest and one Alaska-based short course.

Fundamentals of Arctic Engineering (Short Course) – University of Alaska Anchorage

Offered entirely online through UAA’s College of Engineering, this short course introduces students to a broad spectrum of engineering challenges unique to cold regions, covering topics such as frozen ground, heat transfer, ice mechanics, and arctic hydrology. Coursework is delivered asynchronously, with homework, quizzes, and a final exam submitted electronically. Notably, the course is approved by the Alaska State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors to satisfy the state’s arctic engineering requirement for professional licensure. It is open to those with graduate standing in engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, geomatics, or physical science, as well as upper-division undergraduates in accredited programs in those fields.

Location: Anchorage, AK
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Expected Time to Completion: Short course (offered three times per year)

Certificate in Embedded and Real-Time Systems Programming – University of Washington

The University of Washington also offers a certificate in embedded and real-time systems programming. This eight-month program is designed for developers and technical professionals with experience programming in the C or C++ languages. Students can expect to learn concepts in computer architecture and hardware from a software perspective, embedded debugging techniques using a hardware JTAG-based debug interface, and key operating system principles, among many other subjects.

Location: Seattle, WA
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Expected Time to Completion: Eight months

Graduate Certificate in Engineering Management – Oregon State University

Geared toward technical professionals looking to move into leadership roles, this fully online 18-credit graduate certificate from Oregon State University covers engineering-focused management principles including project management, engineering economy, and management functions. All courses are developed and taught by faculty in the College of Engineering and focus on applying engineering principles to the planning and operational management of organizations. Credits earned in the certificate program may be transferred toward OSU’s online Master of Engineering in Engineering Management Oregon State Ecampus, making it a flexible stepping stone for those considering a full graduate degree.

Location: Corvallis, OR
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Expected Time to Completion: Five quarters

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

In addition to reading the information above, prospective online engineering students are encouraged to conduct further research to determine whether their program of interest is the right choice. Specifically, individuals should determine the total cost of the program; whether the program can be completed on a part-time basis; whether students must attend the campus throughout their studies; and whether the school will assist with job placement after graduation.

Additionally, applicants should search for accredited programs that maintain appropriate state authorization status.

Accreditation

Accreditation indicates that a program has met certain quality standards established by an accrediting agency. Bear in mind, however, that not all accrediting agencies carry the same weight; instead, applicants should search for programs that have been accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For example, the following includes a list of accrediting agencies that approve programs in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest:

National accreditation

Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)

Regional accreditation

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NCCU)

Programmatic accreditation

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

Receiving a degree from an accredited program is not always necessary to obtain a job in engineering. That said, many employers favor candidates with accredited education, and financial aid is typically granted only to students in accredited programs.

State Authorization

State authorization status is another important factor. Students can only study in online programs that are eligible to operate in Alaska, a requirement known as “state authorization.” In other words, students must ensure they are eligible for online programs in other states. Fortunately, many schools display this information on their website. For those that don’t, students should contact program admissions offices to verify status.

Admissions Requirements for Online Engineering Programs

Many programs have similar admissions requirements for their online and campus-based programs at the same level. For example, the online bachelor of science degree in computer science from Oregon State University calls for applicants with:

A four-year bachelor’s degree
A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75
A personal statement between 150 and 200 words describing how a person’s past academic performance meets the admission requirements, as well as his or her current occupation and motivation for pursuing the computer science degree

It’s important to bear in mind that this program is slightly different than many other undergraduate degree programs, as it requires students to already possess a bachelor’s degree. Other common admissions requirements for online engineering programs include specific course prerequisites; test scores; candidate interviews; a competitive GPA (e.g., >3.0); and solid research experience.

Featured Online Engineering Programs
ECPI University	Electronics Engineering Technology (Bachelor's)	Visit Site
ECPI University	Mechanical Engineering Technology (Associate's)	Visit Site
ECPI University	Mechanical Engineering Technology (Bachelor's)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Electrical Engineering (BSE)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Industrial Engineering (MS)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Mechanical Engineering (BSE)	Visit Site
American Public University	Engineering: Electrical Engineering (BEng)	Visit Site
Southern New Hampshire University	Online MBA - Engineering Management	Visit Site
sponsored × When you click on a sponsoring school or program advertised on our site, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.