Online Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

Aspiring engineers in Pennsylvania (PA) should be encouraged to learn that the state fosters a supportive environment for these professionals, in effect fueling the growth of employment opportunities. There’s a wealth of professional organizations in the state, including the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania, and the Structural Engineers Association of Pennsylvania, to name a few. In general, these societies offer members benefits such as continuing education resources, professional advocacy, job placement assistance, and networking events throughout the year.

There’s an abundance of engineering opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2024) reported that there will be 186,500 openings in architecture and engineering jobs between 2024 and 2034 across the country. Of course, some engineering positions are in greater supply (and greater demand) in the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2024) reported that these were the most popular engineering fields in Pennsylvania:

Civil engineering – 14,610 working in PA
Mechanical engineering – 14,300
Industrial engineering – 12,550
Electrical engineering – 7,660

In Pennsylvania, there’s an abundance of engineering opportunities. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2024) reported that there were 94,180 architecture and engineering professionals in Pennsylvania (PA), a figure that is expected to increase in the coming years.

That said, some specializations are expected to be in demand nationwide more than others. According to the BLS (2025), several subfields of engineering are expected to add jobs between 2024 and 2034. Here are a few of the fastest-growing engineering subfields nationally, listed with their expected growth:

Industrial engineering – 12 percent increase (40,900 new jobs)
Mechanical engineering – 11 percent increase (32,100 new jobs)
Chemical engineering – 10 percent increase (2,100 new jobs)
Electrical and electronics engineering – 9 percent increase (26,200 new jobs)
Agricultural engineering – 8 percent increase (100 new jobs)
Computer hardware engineering – 7 percent increase (6,100 new jobs)
Environmental engineering – 7 percent increase (2,900 new jobs)
Materials engineering – 7 percent increase (1,800 new jobs)
Bioengineers and Biomedical engineering – 7 percent increase (1,500 new jobs)
Civil Engineering – 6 percent increase (22,100 new jobs)

The expected percentages were higher in Pennsylvania (PA). According to Projections Central (2025), the top-growing subfields of engineering between 2022 and 2032 included:

Industrial Engineers – 12.3 percent increase (1,470 new jobs)
Mechanical Engineers – 10.8 percent increase (1,910 new jobs)
Chemical Engineers – 7.4 percent increase (120 new jobs)
Aerospace Engineers – 7.1 percent increase (60 new jobs)
Mining and Geological Engineers – 6.9 percent increase (20 new jobs)

Furthermore, engineers earn relatively competitive salaries, the average salary for the 94,180 engineers and architectural workers in PA was $94,890, according to the BLS (May 2024), some earned substantially more, such as computer hardware engineers, a field that has an annual average (mean) wage of $136,310. By comparison, the average yearly salary for all positions in the state was $63,690.

Annual mean wages for some of the most popular fields of engineering in the state include:

Computer Hardware Engineers – $136,310 annual average salary
Nuclear Engineers – $134,640
Aerospace Engineers – $120,670
Electrical Engineers – $119,550
Chemical Engineers – $119,510

In sum, engineering is a fast-growing and relatively lucrative occupation in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Ultimately, the promise of significant compensation and future job growth are compelling reasons to become an engineer. In addition to choosing an appropriate specialization of interest, prospective engineers in PA must also consider their education, training, and credentialing.

To that end, some engineers attend traditional degree programs with face-to-face classes, but there’s a growing number of PA-based online engineering programs as well. These degrees typically combine online coursework and hands-on opportunities through labs, companies, or other facilities under the guidance of approved mentors.

Some distance-based programs can be completed 100 percent online, while others require some on-campus visits. It’s important to note that most online engineering programs are available in computer-related specializations or at the graduate degree level when a student has developed more autonomy.

This guide explores online engineering programs in Pennsylvania, including the expected coursework and accreditation information.

Featured Online Engineering Programs
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Meet the Expert: John Sebastian

John Sebastian is the McKamish director of construction management and a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, where he leads the university’s construction management programs and teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Alongside his academic role, he heads Sebastian Consulting Solutions, LLC, drawing on more than 35 years of experience with major national and international contractors, including leadership positions at Dick Corporation and dck Worldwide. His career spans numerous market sectors, including hospitality and aviation, education, energy, and healthcare, and includes oversight of major design-build, construction management, and general contracting projects, with more than three million square feet of LEED-certified construction to his credit.

Sebastian has contributed to several high-profile projects, including Union Station’s historic renovation, PNC Park, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, The Atlantis Resort, and The Venetian. A LEED-accredited professional, he holds both a BS in civil engineering and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and remains active in industry and community leadership through service with GSA, the VA, Sarah Heinz House, Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, and the ACE Mentor Program.

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

Sebastian: The graduate construction management program at Pitt enables students a flexible way to obtain a master’s of science in civil engineering (MSCE) from the university completely online. Students can be enrolled either full-time or part-time, which allows them to work full-time and access the program online from anywhere. The students attend classes live, online each week in the evening, allowing them to interact with their professors and the in-class students. All classes are recorded so that students can review any classes they may have missed, or they can go back at any time and review any topics on which they may need to spend additional time.

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

Sebastian: Check out all your options, including the quality of the university, the professors instructing the classes, and the flexibility of the program to ensure a degree meets your needs before deciding to enroll.

PA-Based Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering

For many aspiring engineers, a bachelor’s degree is an entry-level credential for employment. It’s also a prerequisite to obtain licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE). Here are two featured online bachelor’s degree programs based in Pennsylvania.

BS in Software Engineering – Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus—the online campus associated with Pennsylvania State University in University Park—offers students the opportunity to pursue an online bachelor of science (BS) in software engineering. This ABET-accredited program is ideal for creative thinkers who are interested in computer programming, coding, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Students in their senior year will work with real companies during an industry-sponsored design project.

Comprising a total of 126 credits, courses include microprocessors, chemical principles, operating systems, communication networks, database management systems, and programming techniques. The program is entirely online.

Location: University Park, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), ABET
Expected Time to Completion: Four years

BS in Computer Systems Management – Saint Francis University

The distance-based BS in computer systems management at Saint Francis University in Loretto is neither a traditional engineering program nor a computer science degree, however, it covers much of the same material, an interdisciplinary approach that helps students analyze, design, develop, implement, integrate, manage, and maintain information systems and technology. Graduates go on to work as systems analysts, network specialists, and database managers, among other occupations. This 128-credit program can be completed entirely online.

Courses include cybersecurity foundations, management information systems, computer programming with business applications, system analysis and design, database management, project management practices, financial accounting, managerial accounting, and strategic management.

Location: Loretto, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion: Three to five years

PA-Based Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering

A master’s degree cultivates deeper specialization in a given engineering field and can lead to increased job opportunities, more responsibility, and higher pay. Here are three online master’s degrees in engineering from PA-based institutions.

MS in Computer Science – Drexel University

The online master of science (MS) in computer science from Drexel University in Philadelphia is an excellent option for aspiring software or computer engineers. Fostering an in-depth understanding of advanced and core topics, the program teaches students how to use the latest tools to solve and model real-world problems. Moreover, the program’s curriculum provides strong training and a solid foundation for practicing computer specialists, software engineers, and computational scientists looking to advance their careers.

This program covers courses on data structures and algorithms, operating systems, computer networks, introduction to artificial intelligence, machine learning, programming languages, software design, fundamentals of databases, security engineering, and computer graphics. Students must complete 45 credits.

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion: Two years

MS in Information Systems Engineering and Management – Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

The Harrisburg University of Science and Technology offers a distance-based MS in information systems engineering and management for aspiring engineers. Students in this online program study three main areas: information systems technologies, systems design, and management and management science. This flexible and interdisciplinary comprehensive program emphasizes the engineering, technical, and management business aspects of deploying and creating smart digital enterprises.

The program comprises 36 credits and includes courses such as introduction to digital technologies, strategic planning for digital transformation, business strategy & management principles, architecture & integration of modern enterprises, systems engineering principles, web-based software engineering, artificial intelligence principles and applications, and digital health, among others.

Location: Harrisburg, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion: Two years

MS in Civil Engineering with a Construction Management Focus – University of Pittsburgh

Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh offers both an online professional master of science program and an online graduate certificate in civil engineering with a focus on construction management. Graduates of this program will be equipped with advanced technical engineering knowledge combined with the confidence to tackle complex financial and business concerns relevant to the construction industry.

Applicants to the program must have a BS in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited program or a BS in other engineering fields combined with three years of industry experience.

Made up of 30 credits, the program includes courses such as construction cost engineering, construction scheduling, construction methods and equipment, construction law and risk management, construction finance & cost control, and construction and cost of mechanical systems.

Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Other Online Engineering Programs in Pennsylvania

In addition to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, there are various associate degrees and professional certificates offered online. These can be ideal for aspiring or current engineers seeking additional formal education in a shorter time frame and at a lower cost.

Certificate in Web Development and Design – Harrisburg Area Community College

At Harrisburg Area Community College, students can pursue an online certificate in web development and design, which includes 30 credits. This program can be completed on its own or can be used as a starting point for those interested in transferring to a two- to four-year undergraduate program.

This certificate provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to have a rewarding career developing and designing professional applications and websites. Students gain a solid foundation in web design, website creation, application development, multimedia, and various web technologies.

Courses include introduction to web design and development, website creation & CMS, graphics & multimedia fundamentals, design fundamentals, development fundamentals, and javascript programming.

Notably, Harrisburg Area Community College also has an associate in applied science degree in web development and design that can be completed entirely online.

Location: Harrisburg, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion: One year

Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics and Engineering – Penn State World Campus

Embedded within the master of software engineering credential at Penn State World Campus, this online graduate certificate in data analytics and engineering helps students learn to build, maintain, and design large-scale data infrastructure as well as programs for integration, data modeling, analysis, and warehousing.

Made up of 12 credits, the program includes courses such as data mining, large-scale database and warehouse, analytics programming in Python, and foundations of predictive analytics.

Location: University Park, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion: One year

Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering – Drexel University

Drexel University offers an online graduate certificate in systems engineering equipping students with fundamental skills associated with systems engineering. Upon completion, graduates will be able to apply these skills in high-level systems engineering positions.

This 18-credit program includes courses such as introduction to systems science, systems engineering management, systems engineering analysis, global sustainment and integrated logistics, model-based systems engineering, and modeling, simulation, and other tools.

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion: One year

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

The promise of becoming a skilled worker with job stability and a relatively high salary are compelling reasons to pursue a career in engineering. Before applying to an online engineering program, aspiring students should ask themselves these questions:

Is the program part-time or full-time? Can students work while completing the program?
Do students retain in-state status and tuition rates?
What is the average time it takes to complete the program? Can students take time off and resume studying later?
Does the school provide job placement assistance?
Are students required to visit the campus for orientation? Are any other campus visits required during the program?

In addition to these considerations, students should also determine the accreditation and “state authorization” statutes of their program of interest.

Accreditation

Accreditation from a recognized entity indicates that a school or program has met specific quality standards. This is typically a voluntary process that evaluates how a program (or institution) manages its finances, what student services are available (e.g., job placement assistance), and whether the school boasts comprehensive curricula and stellar faculty, among other variables. Accreditation of one’s program may affect whether a student is eligible for financial aid, professional credentialing, employment, or admittance to graduate degree programs.

It’s important to note that not all forms of accreditation are the same. In fact, prospective students are encouraged to apply to programs that have received accreditation through one of the organizations approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Also, aspiring engineers should note that accreditation can be granted on a regional, national, or programmatic level. Here are the main organizations that accredit PA-based online programs in engineering.

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

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Programmatic accreditation

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE)

State Authorization Status

Along with accreditation, students must ensure that they have appropriate “state authorization” status. To be sure, students in Pennsylvania may only attend programs that have been authorized to operate in the state. This is important when a student is located in a different state from his or her online program. Generally, this information is readily available on a school’s website (e.g., Penn State World Campus), or can be retrieved from program coordinators.

Admissions Requirements

In most cases, online engineering programs in Pennsylvania retain the same admissions criteria as their on-campus counterparts.

For example, an online bachelor’s degree program may require official transcripts from a high school or GED program, a competitive GPA (e.g., >2.75 or 3.0), proof of specific course prerequisites (e.g., calculus, physics, chemistry, algebra, etc.), a personal essay, SAT or ACT scores, and two letters of recommendation.

Graduate degree programs, by comparison, typically require proof of a qualifying undergraduate degree in engineering (or a related field) with specific coursework, a competitive GPA (e.g., greater than 3.0), letters of recommendation from professors or employers, GRE scores (sometimes optional), and a statement of purpose.

Finally, graduate certificate programs typically require submission of proof of an undergraduate (or graduate) degree with relevant coursework, letters of recommendation, a CV or resume, and a personal letter. Please note that at all levels, more in-demand programs may have additional requirements, such as a portfolio review or a candidate interview.

Kimmy Gustafson

With a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities in higher education, Kimmy Gustafson regularly contributes insightful articles to OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com, providing readers with a comprehensive view on the evolving landscape of engineering education since 2019. She has intervi...

Jocelyn Blore

After graduating from UC Berkeley, Jocelyn traveled the world for five years as an English teacher and freelance writer. After stints in England, Japan, and Brazil, she settled in San Francisco and worked as a managing editor for a tech company. She’s recently become interested in the underrepr...