Online Engineering Schools in Texas

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In Texas, engineers make up a significant part of the workforce and play an invaluable role across various industries. And according to U.S. employment projections, this is likely to continue well into the future. Predictions from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) reported that job opportunities for architecture and engineering occupations are expected to grow 6 percent nationwide between 2020 and 2030—an addition of 146,000 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 (8 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:

Industrial engineering – 14 percent increase (40,000 new jobs)
Chemical engineering – 9 percent increase (2,400 new jobs)
Civil engineering – 8 percent increase (25,300 new jobs)
Aerospace engineering – 8 percent increase (5,100 new jobs)
Materials engineering – 8 percent increase (2,100 new jobs)
Electrical engineering – 5 percent increase (20,400 new jobs)
Bioengineering and biomedical engineering – 6 percent increase (1,100 new jobs)
Mechanical engineering – 7 percent increase (20,900 new jobs)

In Texas specifically, the expected percentages were even higher. According to Projections Central (2021), the top-growing subfields of engineering between 2018 and 2028 included:

Environmental Engineering Technicians – 21.9 percent increase (280 new jobs)
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects – 21.7 percent increase (150 new jobs)
Rail Yard Engineers – 19.5 percent increase (170 new jobs)
Environmental Engineers – 17.8 percent increase (600 new jobs)
Operating Engineers – 16.9 percent increase (7,620 new jobs)
Sales Engineers – 15.3 percent increase (1,390 new jobs)

Furthermore, engineers earn relatively competitive salaries; the average salary for the 240,750 engineers and architectural workers in Texas was $94,020, according to the BLS (May 2020); some earned substantially more such as petroleum engineers, a field that has an annual average (mean) wage of $169,760. By comparison, the average annual salary for all positions in the state was $52,400.

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

Petroleum Engineers – $169,760
Chemical Engineers – $138,600
Aerospace Engineers – $128,330
Electronics Engineers – $120,710
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects -$118,240
Computer Hardware Engineers – $113,610

Notably, many of the average salaries for Texas engineers are higher than national averages. This is especially relevant because the cost of living in Texas is substantially lower than a majority of U.S. states. As proof of point, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2021) found that TX boasted the fourteenth most affordable cost of living in the U.S. with particular savings in housing relative to the rest of the country.

For aspiring engineers across all specializations, there’s an abundance of university programs—including distance-based training—to prepare for this high-growth, high-paying career field.

This guide examines accredited online engineering schools in TX with discussions of admissions requirements, programs at all levels, professors, and other relevant information.

Featured Online Engineering Programs
Grand Canyon University	BS - Information Technology	Visit Site
Grand Canyon University	MS - Computer Science	Visit Site
Grand Canyon University	MS - Software Engineering	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Electrical Engineering (BSE)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Mechanical Engineering (BSE)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Software Engineering (BS)	Visit Site
Ohio University	Online MEM - Engineering Management	Visit Site
Ohio University	Online MS - Electrical Engineering (MSEE)	Visit Site
UC Berkeley	Online MS - Cybersecurity	Visit Site
Southern New Hampshire University	Online MBA - Engineering Management	Visit Site
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Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering in Texas

Not only do a majority of entry-level engineering positions require bachelor’s degrees, but an undergraduate degree can enhance one’s earning prospects and ability to get into graduate programs. And although some disciplines of engineering are more popular than others (e.g., civil engineering), a degree in any engineering field can certainly lead to a meaningful and lasting career. Please note that at the undergraduate level, the majority of distance-based engineering programs are in computer science, software engineering, or related subjects.

Due to the essentially hands-on nature of fields such as mechanical, civil, or aerospace engineering, online programs in those sub-disciplines are generally concentrated at the graduate degree level. The following provides a few examples of quality engineering programs that offer online degrees in Texas.

Online BS in Computer Science – Lamar University

At Lamar University in Beaumont, students have the option to pursue an online bachelor of science (BS) degree in computer science that emphasizes topics such as programming languages, information systems, data structures, software engineering, theory of programming languages, database, networking, applications of computer science, computer architecture, and multimedia. Students will also have the option to explore concentrations in computer science game development and computer science bioinformatics.

Students take courses such as operating systems, distributed systems, database design, software engineering, discrete structure, as well as other, non-computer science-related electives. The bachelor’s degree requires the completion of 120 required credit hours. Multiple start dates are available throughout the year, and students can complete all of the courses online.

Upon completion, graduates will be awarded a BS degree in computer science that will prepare them for a professional career as computer scientists or advanced graduate work in computer science.

Location: Beaumont, TX
Accreditation: Accreditation Board of Electronics and Technology (ABET); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
Estimated Tuition: Texas resident (255.38 per credit); non-Texas resident (664.38 per credit)

Online BS in Computer Information Systems – Texas A&M

Students at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX can obtain an online B.S. degree in computer science (BSCS) or computer information systems (BSCIS). Notably, the school explicitly states that while over 50 percent of the degree can be completed online, attendance is required throughout the program.

Students in this 120-credit program take courses on operating systems, programming fundamentals, data structures and algorithms, systems analysis and design, web programming and interface, introduction to database, discrete mathematics, introduction to operating systems, and computer architecture, among others.

The BS in computer science program offers opportunities in several computer science careers including software engineer, application software developer, web developer, and system designer. Students graduating from the BSCIS program will have access to careers in business management, network administration, computer systems analysis, and information systems management. In addition, students will be able to engage with and learn from prominent global engineers and scientists.

Location: Bryan, TX; Corsicana, TX
Accreditation: Accreditation Board of Electronics and Technology (ABET); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
Estimated Tuition: Texas residents ($4,126 for 12 credits); non-residents ($9,034 for 12 credits)

Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering in Texas

Of course, while a bachelor’s degree in engineering helps gain employment, a master’s degree is often preferable for those who wish to develop a more thorough knowledge and understanding of a certain specialty. In addition, a graduate degree holder is also more likely to find positions that offer leadership opportunities and greater compensation. In light of this, anyone who is interested in pursuing an online graduate degree in engineering may wish to consider one of the options listed below:

Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering (MEIE) – Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University of College Station, TX offers students the chance to pursue a master of engineering in industrial engineering (MEIE) or a master of science in engineering management completely online. These are non-thesis graduate degree programs.

The online 30-credit MEIE program features instruction in logistics and inventory control; quality engineering; human factors; engineering economy; data analytics, models and tools; and optimization models and tools, among other subjects.

The online 30-credit engineering management degree program offers coursework in engineering data analysis; survey of optimization; human operator in complex systems; engineering management control systems; and four courses in a concentration area (e.g., analytics, supply chain and logistics engineering, systems development, systems engineering, manufacturing systems management and control, engineering risk, and human systems).

As of this writing (Oct. 2021), only the analytics, supply chain and logistics engineering, and systems development specializations can be completed entirely online.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree in engineering or engineering-related field, a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, a completed online application, unofficial transcripts, a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae, and English language proficiency for international applicants.

Location: College Station, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (18 to 24 months); part-time (36 months)
Estimated Tuition: Texas resident ($2,522.99 per course); non-resident ($3,356.99 per course)

Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) – The University of Texas at Austin

At the University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering, students can pursue an MS degree in mechanical engineering entirely online. The program is asynchronous, meaning students can take courses on their own time and requires the successful completion of 30-credits. No thesis or final project is necessary to finish the degree. The U.S. News and World Report ranks this mechanical engineering master’s degree at No. 10 among the best mechanical engineering programs in the country.

Comprising 30 credits, the program includes courses such as heat transfer in industrial systems, fluid mechanics in industrial processes, applied thermodynamics, introduction to automatic control, modeling, simulation, and control of physical systems, introduction to manufacturing systems, engineering economics, and several others.

To get accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor of science degree in engineering or a related field, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, a year of industry experience, a statement of purpose, a current resume, two professional letters of recommendation, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students.

Location: Austin, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Estimated Tuition: $4,200 per course

Other Online Engineering Programs in Texas

Bachelor’s or master’s degree programs are not the only distance-based program options available for aspiring engineers in Texas; instead, several individuals choose to enroll in other types, some of which are detailed below:

AS in Computer Science – Lone Star College

Lone Star College in the Woodlands offers students the opportunity to complete an associate of science (AS) degree in computer science in only two years. Furthermore, the degree is also meant to satisfy the lower requirements of a bachelor’s degree, meaning graduates can transfer into the second half of a four-year program directly upon completion.

Made up of 60 credits, the program includes courses in introduction to physical fitness and wellness, programming fundamentals, general chemistry, discrete mathematics, university physics, the federal government, computer organization, and linear algebra.

Location: Woodlands, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Estimated Tuition: In-district ($90 per credit); out-of-district ($202 per credit); international ($257 per credit)

AS in Computer Science – South Texas College

At South Texas College in McAllen, students can complete an AS degree in computer science where they will learn to develop and implement algorithms for solving scientific or mathematical problems, use object-oriented programming skills for solving given tasks, communicate effectively, and select appropriate methods for creating program solutions.

Students will take courses on programming fundamentals, computer organization, introduction to logic, texas government, the federal government, pre-calculus math, and other required classes. The program requires 60-credits to complete and generally takes two years, after which students have the option to transfer into a four-year bachelor’s degree program.

Graduates of the program will be able to take up positions such as computer programmers, software engineers, programmer analysts, computer and information scientists, information security analysts, computer hardware engineers, computer operators, and desktop publishers, among many more such roles.

Location: McAllen, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Estimated Tuition: In-district ($77 per credit); out-of-district ($87 per credit); non-resident ($200 per credit)

While the above are all excellent options to consider for distance-based training in engineering, there’s a wealth of programs at all levels located in other states which may admit students from Texas. To examine the options, be sure to check out the types of engineering degrees and main online engineering programs pages.

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

Students take various factors into account when considering an engineering program, including the reputation of the school, the cost of the program, the time it takes to complete the degree or certificate, graduation rates, admissions requirements, and other variables.

That said, individuals who are searching for flexibility in terms of time and location may find that an online program meets their needs. To be sure, a significant amount of online engineering programs promise to offer a quality education while allowing for the students to work at their own pace from a remote location.

Of course, an online degree may not be for everyone, and not all online engineering programs are created equal. Before enrollment, aspiring students are encouraged to seek out answers to the following questions:

Are students required to visit the campus during the program? If so, how many campus visits are required?
How long does the program take to complete? Can students complete the program entirely on their schedule, or are they required to attend virtual lessons in real-time? Can the program be completed on a part-time basis?
Can students complete practical experience credits in their community or do students need to travel to other locations to complete these requirements?
Do students receive job placement assistance after graduation? Do other student services exist, such as advisors and student-run organizations?
Do online students pay the same as in-state students?

Furthermore, aspiring online students should determine whether or not their program of choice has both accreditation and proper state authorization status before making any decisions.

Engineering Program Accreditation

Accreditation status shows that a program has met specific quality standards and has received approval from an accrediting agency. To be sure, accreditation status demonstrates that a program or institution has met baseline measures of merit concerning school management of finances, accessibility of student services, comprehensiveness of curricula, faculty qualifications, and several other factors.

Ultimately, graduation from an accredited program has several benefits; for example, it may be a requirement for applicants to certain graduate programs, certifications, or jobs, and enrollment in an accredited program may be a prerequisite for obtaining financial aid.

Overall, aspiring online engineering students should search for programs that have received accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Furthermore, aspiring students should note that accreditation will be available through different organizations on a national, regional, and programmatic level. Specifically, the following includes a list of organizations that will accredit online engineering programs in Texas:

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

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Programmatic accreditation

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

State Authorization for Online Engineering Students

Additionally, students are required to attend online engineering schools that have been provided authorization to operate in their state. Generally, Texas residents who study in online programs based in their state will not have any issues, but some distance-based engineering programs in other states may not admit out-of-state residents from specific areas. Because of this, many aspiring engineering students in Texas should thoroughly review state policies before applying to any programs.

Luckily, many schools such as Texas State University display this information directly on their website and for those which don’t, prospective students are encouraged to contact program staff to ensure eligibility.

Admissions Requirements for Online Engineering Programs in Texas

Generally, online engineering programs in Texas have admissions requirements similar to those of their on-campus counterparts. And while each program may have specific requirements unique to its institution, several criteria will likely remain the same during the application process. The following is a list of common requirements during the application process to online engineering programs.

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Admissions

A high school diploma or GED with proof of coursework in hard sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, biology) and advanced mathematics
A GPA of above 2.5 for some programs, or 3.0 for others
Letters of recommendation provided by two high school teachers
A personal statement or statement of purpose (500-600 words)
ACT or SAT scores
Application fee

Online Master’s Degree in Engineering Admissions

A bachelor’s degree in engineering, although other degrees may be accepted in some circumstances
An undergraduate GPA of above 2.5 for some programs, or above 3.0 for more selective institutions
GRE test scores
A statement of purpose or other types of personal essay
Letters of recommendation from professors, employers, advisors, or other qualifying professionals
Application fee

Online Certificates in Engineering Admissions

A bachelor’s degree in engineering
Letters of recommendation
A personal essay or statement of purpose
CV or resume
Application fee

Featured Online Engineering Professors in Texas

Many skilled professors lead courses in online engineering programs in Texas. To illustrate this fact, the following details two highly reputable educators who are employed in the state:

Dr. Maria Barrufet – Texas A&M University

Dr. Maria Barrufet is a professor of engineering at Texas A&M University, where she also serves as the director of distance learning and the Baker Hughes Endowed Chair. Her research interests include oil recovery and upgrading, integration of capillary pressure and thermodynamics, reservoir simulation of near-critical fluids, CO2 storage and capture, and multiphase flow, flow assurance, and leak detection methods.

She has received numerous awards, including the 2006, 2012, and 2013 Charles Crawford Service Awards and the 2004 Assessing Technology in Teaching Award from the Office of Distance Education.

Dr. Barrufet is also the author and co-author of numerous publications in high-impact scholarly journals such as Analytical Chemistry, Journal of Food Engineering, and Fluid Phase Equilibria. She earned her PhD from Texas A&M University and her MS and BS from Universidad Nacional de Salta Argentina.

Dr. Mark Hamilton – The University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Mark Hamilton is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, where he holds the Harry L. Kent, Jr. professorship in mechanical engineering. He has taught courses on kinematics and dynamics; dynamic systems and controls; noise and vibration control; and acoustics, among many others.

Dr. Hamilton was the recipient of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation Fellowship for Science and Engineering and the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award. He also received the Pi Tau Sigma Gold Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; the Curtis W. McGraw Research Award from the American Society for Engineering Education; and the R. Bruce Lindsay Award from the ASA.

His research efforts are focused on physical acoustics. He has published his research in prominent journals such as Wave Motion and Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. He holds his PhD and MS from Pennsylvania State University and a BS from Columbia University.

Dr. Xingya Liu – Lamar University

Dr. Xingya Liu is an assistant professor in the department of computer science at Lamar University teaching courses in cybersecurity: networks, cybersecurity: systems, fund of wireless and mobile protocol, programming fund, fund of computing, computing networks, and network security. Currently, he is also the coordinator of the graduate certificate program in cybersecurity and the BS degree program in cybersecurity. His research efforts are focused on cyber security, next-generation wireless networks, and mobile computing.

Dr. Xingya Liu completed his PhD at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, an MS at Pennsylvania State University, and a BE at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.