2023 Best Master's in Engineering Management Online Programs
Students interested in furthering their careers will find that these 10 colleges offer the best online master’s in engineering management degrees based on alumni salary. Engineering management students learn to combine engineering knowledge with management and business principles in order to take charge of teams. Engineering management professionals oversee all aspects of a project — from the initial planning stages to creating budgets and hiring staff — to make sure that the work is done correctly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), engineering managers make a median annual salary of $152,350.
ADVERTISEMENT
Online Engineering Management Master's Degrees You May Be Interested In
Southern New Hampshire University Online
Liberty University
Annual Tuition: $8,475
2 Programs (view all)
California State University - Northridge
2023 Best Master's in Engineering Management Online Programs
| Rank | School | Salary Score | Median Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington State University | $111,957 | ||
| University of Michigan - Dearborn | 85 | $106,866 | |
| The George Washington University | 82 | $104,747 | |
| Central Michigan University | 69 | $98,661 | |
| Oakland University | 69 | $98,613 | |
| Duke University | 67 | $97,661 | |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | 66 | $97,332 | |
| Clarkson University | 65 | $96,757 | |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | 49 | $90,994 | |
| Drexel University | 37 | $86,372 |
#1 Washington State University
- Salary Score: 92
- Median Starting Salary: $111,957
- Locations: Pullman (WA)
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Washington State University (WSU) is a large, public institution that offers an online Master of Engineering and Technology Management requiring 30 semester hours. The curriculum aims to provide students with a broad understanding of engineering management and technology-related business. Some core classes for this major include Operations Research and Analytics for Managers, Design of Experiments, and Finance for Technical Systems. To graduate, students must complete all program requirements, such as a capstone project, which can take two to three years with a full-time schedule. Graduates are generally prepared for careers in technology and engineering management.
At WSU, students use Canvas to access their online coursework, which is fully online and asynchronous. Online students have access to the library and writing center.
#2 University of Michigan - Dearborn
- Salary Score: 85
- Median Starting Salary: $106,866
- Locations: Dearborn (MI)
- Accreditation: HLC
The University of Michigan - Dearborn (UM - Dearborn) is a medium-sized, public institution that offers an online Master of Science in Engineering Management requiring 35 credit hours. The curriculum provides students with a broad understanding of marketing, systems engineering, and production management. Some core classes for this major include Production and Operations Engineering, Human Resource Management, and Management of Product and Process Design. To graduate, students must complete all program requirements, such as completing a capstone project or master’s thesis, which can take one to two years with a full-time schedule. Graduates may go on to explore careers in technical management, project engineering, and business development.
At UM - Dearborn, students use Canvas to access their online coursework, which allows them to read and submit assignments, view grades, and correspond with their professors.
#3 The George Washington University
- Salary Score: 82
- Median Starting Salary: $104,747
- Locations: Washington D.C.
- Accreditation: MSCHE
The George Washington University (GW) is a medium-sized non-profit that offers an online Master of Science in Engineering Management requiring 36 credit hours. The curriculum aims to provide students with knowledge about financial planning, contracting processes, and supervising projects. Some core classes include Engineering Law, Systems Engineering, and Survey of Finance and Engineering Economics. To graduate, students must complete all program requirements which can take two to three years with a full-time schedule. Graduates are often qualified for careers in technical development and engineering management.
At GW, students use Blackboard to access their online coursework, which can be either synchronous or asynchronous, depending on the course. Online students have access to the library, student services, and tutoring.
#4 Central Michigan University
- Salary Score: 69
- Median Starting Salary: $98,661
- Locations: Mount Pleasant (MI)
- Accreditation: HLC
Central Michigan University (CMU) is a medium-sized, public institution that offers an online Master of Science in Administration - Engineering Management requiring 18 credit hours. The curriculum aims to cover a range of aspects concerned with technology, industrial, and engineering management. To graduate, students must complete all program requirements, which can take one year with a full-time schedule. Graduates are eligible to apply for jobs in the fields of industrial management and sustainable technology.
At CMU, students use Blackboard to access their online coursework, which can either be synchronous or asynchronous, depending on the course. CWU students who are remote still have access to student centers and the university library.
#5 Oakland University
- Salary Score: 69
- Median Starting Salary: $98,613
- Locations: Rochester Hills (MI)
- Accreditation: HLC
Oakland University (OU) is a large, public institution that offers an online Master of Science in Engineering Management requiring 35 credits. The curriculum aims to provide students with a general understanding of data analytics, marketing management, and systems engineering. Some core concentrations for this major include Product Lifecycle Management, Optimization and Analytics, and Lean and Continuous Improvement. Students must complete a master’s thesis to graduate. The entire program can take two years to complete with a full-time schedule. Graduates may go on to apply for positions in industrial/systems, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
At OU, students use Moodle to access their online coursework, which can be synchronous or asynchronous, depending on the course. Online OU students have access to the university library, tutoring services, and the writing center.
#6 Duke University
- Salary Score: 67
- Median Starting Salary: $97,661
- Locations: Durham (NC)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
Duke University (DU) is a medium-sized, non-profit institution that offers an online Master of Engineering Management requiring 30 credit hours. There are some in-person requirements, however, including an orientation, a midpoint week, and a capstone week. Overall, the curriculum covers some key areas in this field: computing fundamentals, marketing, and finance. Some core elective tracks in this major include Data Analysis and Machine Learning, as well as Operations and Supply Chain Management, among others. To graduate, students must complete all program requirements, such as a capstone discussion and oral presentation, which can take two years with a full-time schedule. Graduates may go on to explore careers in business system integration analysis, data analysis, and technical management.
At DU, students use the Sakai platform to access their online coursework, which is asynchronous and hybrid.
#7 Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Salary Score: 66
- Median Starting Salary: $97,332
- Locations: Rolla (MO)
- Accreditation: HLC
The Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a medium-sized, public institution that offers an online Master of Science in Engineering Management requiring 30 credit hours. The curriculum broadly covers the management and operational aspects of technological organizations. Online students will participate in discourse about the current concepts and theories concerning managerial operations in the technology sector. To apply, students must have a bachelor's degree in either engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, or physical science that reflects at least a 3.0 GPA.
In addition to an online master's degree, Missouri S&T offers seven different types of graduate certificate programs through their school: (1) Engineering Management, (2) Financial Engineering, (3) Human Systems Integration, (4) Lean Six Sigma, (5) Project Management, (6) Project Engineering and Construction Management, and (7) Safety Engineering.
#8 Clarkson University
- Salary Score: 65
- Median Starting Salary: $96,757
- Locations: Potsdam (NY)
- Accreditation: MSCHE
Clarkson University (CU) is a medium-sized non-profit that offers an online Master of Civil and Environmental Engineering - Construction Engineering Management requiring 30 credit hours. The curriculum primarily delves into civil and environmental engineering as well as business management. Some core classes for this major include Sustainable Infrastructure and Building, Computational Methods of Structural Analysis, and Properties and Performance of Concrete Materials. To graduate, students must complete all program requirements, including a capstone project, which can take two to three years with a full-time schedule. Graduates may pursue jobs in the fields of civil engineering and construction management.
At CU, students use PeopleSoft to access their online coursework, which can be fully online or hybrid. At CU, online students have access to the university library and student centers.
#9 University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Salary Score: 49
- Median Starting Salary: $90,994
- Locations: Charlotte (NC)
- Accreditation: SACS COC
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) is a large, public institution that offers an online Master of Science in Engineering Management requiring 31 credit hours. The curriculum emphasizes consulting, industrial research, and systems management. Some core concentrations for this major include Energy Analytics, Logistics and Supply Chains, and Systems Analytics. Students must complete an engineering management project or a master's thesis. Overall, the program takes approximately two years with a full-time schedule. Graduates may decide to explore jobs in operations analysis and systems management.
At UNC Charlotte, students use Canvas to access their online coursework, which is fully online. Remote students have access to the university’s library, student services, and the writing center.
#10 Drexel University
- Salary Score: 37
- Median Starting Salary: $86,372
- Locations: Philadelphia (PA)
- Accreditation: MSCHE
Drexel University (DU) is a large non-profit that offers an online Master of Science in Engineering Management requiring 45 credit hours. The curriculum helps teach graduate students how to spearhead projects and qualify for the Certified Associate in Engineering Management. Some core classes include Analysis and Decision Methods for Technical Managers, Statistical Data Analysis, and Design Thinking for Engineering Communications. Students must complete a capstone project, which can take one to two years with a full-time schedule. Graduates of the program may decide to pursue careers in engineering management, automation engineering, and computer systems analysis.
At DU, students use Blackboard to access their online coursework, which is asynchronous and fully online. Online students have access to the library, writing center, counseling, and health services.
Online Master's in Engineering Management Overview
Master's degrees in engineering management teach the leadership skills needed to supervise teams of engineers and engineering projects. Graduate-level courses often include lessons in financial management, organizational behavior, statistics, lean manufacturing, and business ethics.
Most online master's programs feature asynchronous classes without live meetings.
You may spend as little as a year completing your courses as a full-time student. But two years is more common, because most schools offer part-time or flexible options for working enrollees.
Program Requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in engineering or a science-related field from a program that the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredits. You typically need a 3.0 GPA or higher and some engineering-related work experience.
Engineering management master's programs usually contain 30-36 credit hours of coursework. Some programs require a thesis paper on an original research topic. You may need to complete an internship or externship near the end of your program. But this is fairly uncommon in engineering management graduate programs because most students already have some professional experience in the field.
Master's in Engineering Management Courses
Most engineering management master's degrees have a generalist curriculum. You're, therefore, likely to find similar courses in any program you choose. But some master's degrees offer specialized concentrations that let you focus your coursework. Examples of concentrations include systems engineering, product management, and lean manufacturing.
Below, we've detailed a few courses commonly found in engineering management master's programs:
Engineering Risk Analysis
This course's faculty cover many common risks in engineering projects and how to identify and mitigate them. Enrollees learn about advance risk planning, organization theory, and human factors.
Financial Accounting
Students learn the accounting skills needed to be engineering leaders. They usually practice budgeting, financial planning, legal disclosure requirements, and writing reports for stakeholders.
Organizations and Decision-Making
Engineering managers need to be decisive. This class emphasizes data-driven decision-making in engineering contexts. Students practice mathematical modeling using software tools and learn to communicate their decisions to employees and upper management.
Statistical Quality Analysis
Professors discuss how to monitor a project's success across its life cycle. They generally cover project scoping, measures of quality, risk management, and reviewing for continuous improvement.
Careers in Engineering Management
An education in engineering management is most common for professionals who want to manage engineering teams and projects. But master's learners tend to develop valuable leadership and soft skills that can serve well in other management occupations.
Below, we've listed some of the relevant careers for engineering management graduates:
Administrative Services and Facilities Manager
Administrative services and facilities managers oversee operations and employees at physical locations. An engineering management degree may be useful in this work with its emphasis on efficient processes and organizational behavior.
Computer and Information Systems Manager
Not every engineering management student is eligible to be a computer and information systems manager. But those with a background in software engineering or computer engineering might have the necessary technology skills combined with the management insights from their master's degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this is the highest paying management occupation in the country.
Engineering Manager
Engineering managers guide employees through engineering work for businesses or government agencies. They hire staff, monitor their career progress, and shepherd special projects from conception to completion. This career field is growing slower than the average rate for U.S. jobs, but the BLS projects a stronger outlook for civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering managers.
Industrial Production Manager
Industrial production managers aim to keep manufacturing facilities running smoothly. Engineering management specialists might qualify for this work if they have an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering or systems engineering.
What Else Should You Consider?
It's best to have all the information you can before committing to graduate school.
Feel free to ask yourself the questions below as you think through the features you want from your master's degree program in engineering management.
Is this school accredited?
It's important to only apply to institutionally accredited graduate schools that have passed an independent quality review. Institutional accreditors evaluate a college's educational programs and faculty to make sure they meet high standards. You can search the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to find out if a school is accredited.
Is this program accredited?
Individual programs can also be accredited separately from institutional accreditation. ABET is an influential organization that accredits individual engineering and engineering management programs. You can find accredited programs in ABET's searchable database, including both in-person and online options.
Some employers might not require engineering management applicants to hold an ABET-accredited degree. But other employers might, so this stamp of approval may potentially affect your career path.
Is online learning right for me?
Many graduate students hope to balance work with school, family, and other responsibilities. Online distance learning may grant the flexibility to do this because it lets them work in a learning management system at any convenient time of day. But you may learn better in a structured classroom environment. It can also be hard to build a network of like-minded professionals if you never meet them face to face.
What extra features am I looking for?
Your answer to this question could include dozens of variables, from cost and financial aid to disability services and alumni networking events. Be creative and compare these factors across each school you're considering.
Is cost your top concern? Then see our list of the most affordable online master's degrees in engineering management.
FAQs About Engineering Management Degrees
What's the Difference Between an Engineering Management Degree and an MBA?
MBA programs have broader business curricula than master's degrees in engineering management do. The engineering master's programs focus narrowly on leading teams of engineers and overseeing projects in the design and production of products and services. Business practices such as marketing aren't as important in this work.
Note that there are many types of MBAs, including some that have a concentration in engineering management.
What Can I Do With an Engineering Management Master's Degree?
You can become an engineering manager with a master's degree in engineering management. You might also seek industrial production or computer systems management roles. If you have an engineering bachelor's degree, you might pursue engineering jobs or continue your existing role while you look for management positions.
Is An Engineering Management Degree Worth It?
There's a good chance that an engineering management master's degree will be worth the cost in money, time, and effort. This credential may pave a path to an occupation with a median yearly salary that's more than three times the median wage in the U.S. The engineering management field is growing slowly, but it's worth noting that many of these jobs only call for a bachelor's degree and some work experience. A master's degree might give a competitive edge among the field of applicants.
Is a Master's in Engineering Management a STEM Degree?
Most people would consider a master's in engineering management to be firmly in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) category. Students take some business and leadership courses but also technical engineering classes in quality improvement, systems engineering, and risk analysis.
Why Trust Us?
27 Data Researchers
60,000 Degrees Researched Annually
20,000 Hours Spent on Research Annually
Launching Rankings Since 2009
Related Articles
2023 Best Online Colleges for Systems Engineering Degrees
These schools offer the best online master's in systems engineering degrees, according to annual salaries reported by alumni.
By OnlineU Staff Writers | 6/15/2023