Online Engineering Schools in Michigan
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Michigan is home to a strong engineering industry that allows professionals in this field to thrive. Engineers in Michigan and throughout the United States play an important economic role. These professionals design, test, and ultimately build structures and products for the modern world. A wide range of specializations are available to accommodate every industry’s interest, including mechanical, civil, environmental, and electrical engineering. And while engineering is one of the more lucrative career fields in the US, some subfields are growing faster than others.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022) reported that job opportunities for architecture and engineering occupations are expected to grow four percent nationwide between 2021 and 2031—an addition of 91,300 new positions in that period—which is just a bit lower than the average job growth anticipated across all U.S. occupations during that time (5 percent).
That said, some specializations are expected to be more in demand around the country than others. Here are a few of the fastest-growing engineering subfields listed with their expected growth:
- Chemical engineering – 14 percent increase (3,700 new jobs)
- Industrial engineering – 10 percent increase (30,600 new jobs)
- Bioengineering and biomedical engineering – 10 percent increase (1,700 new jobs)
- Petroleum engineering – 8 percent increase (1,900 new jobs)
- Civil engineering – 7 percent increase (22,100 new jobs)
In Michigan (MI) specifically, the expected percentages were even higher. According to Projections Central (2023), the top-growing subfields of engineering between 2020 and 2030 included:
- Industrial Engineers – 20.4 percent increase (5,250 new jobs)
- Chemical Engineers – 18.5 percent increase (150 new jobs)
- Materials Engineers – 13.1 percent increase (140 new jobs)
- Civil Engineers – 12.3 percent increase (760 new jobs)
- Mechanical Engineers – 10.1 percent increase (4,120 new jobs)
Furthermore, engineers earn relatively competitive salaries; the average salary for the 128,570 engineers and architectural workers in MI was $87,880, according to the BLS (May 2022); some earned substantially more such as computer hardware engineers, a field that has an annual average (mean) wage of $118,930. By comparison, the average annual salary for all positions in the state was $58,000.
Annual mean wages for some of the most popular fields of engineering in the state include:
- Computer Hardware Engineers – $118,930 annual average salary
- Nuclear Engineers – $115,720
- Chemical Engineers – $112,200
- Electronics Engineers – $102,750
- Electrical Engineers – $100,610
Along with growing job prospects and high salary expectations, Michigan engineers may seek professional support from one of the many engineering societies and organizations that operate throughout the state. Such agencies, a few of which are listed below, generally offer job advocacy, educational opportunities, a calendar of events, and a number of other benefits for participating members in the state:
In general, a career in engineering can lead to many opportunities and generous compensation. Those interested in becoming an engineer in MI must generally complete at least an undergraduate degree before seeking work. While many aspiring engineers choose to complete a degree on-campus, many more are now looking to the various online engineering programs. Distance-based engineering degrees offer a high-quality, flexible education with skilled professors, allowing working professionals to continue on with their careers while pursuing a degree.
This guide explores the wealth of online engineering programs in Michigan, including a few exceptional professors, expected coursework, and accreditation information.
