ASU engineering ranks in US News' top 10 best online programs

The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University ranks among the nation’s top 10 best online engineering graduate programs for 2021 according to U.S. News & World Report. Altogether six ASU engineering programs were recognized as leaders in online education.

>> Read more about ASU's other ranked online programs.

With a focus on providing quality content and a technology-enhanced, interactive remote learning experience, the Fulton Schools of Engineering is 10th overall for best online engineering master’s degree programs, maintaining its status as an engineering education leader and jumping three spots from last year’s standing.  

The 2021 rankings assess master’s degrees that can be completed primarily via distance education through internet-based learning technologies.

“We are dedicated to high-quality education at scale and are heartened to be recognized as one of the country’s top engineering programs for distance learners,” said Kyle Squires, dean of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. “As more people explore how they can earn engineering and technology degrees regardless of geographical constraints, we are pleased to offer comprehensive programs that prepare our community of learners to join the global high-tech workforce.”

Alongside being recognized among the best online engineering master’s degree programs overall, several specialty programs within the Fulton Schools of Engineering also achieved high standing in the latest rankings.

• ASU’s master’s degree program in electrical engineering is No. 2 in the country. With access to the program’s outstanding faculty and the same high standards for academic rigor through its online delivery, the electrical engineering program prepares graduates for a range of careers that pioneer new technologies in the energy sector, robotics, computing and beyond.
• Offerings in the sustainable engineering online master’s degree program helped the Fulton Schools of Engineering achieve a No. 5 standing among the best online graduate programs for civil engineering, marking the first time the subspecialty has been ranked.
• The engineering management degree is No. 6 in the country. Graduates leave the program with a keen understanding of the principles of engineering science and design with a lens into organizational management and business administration.
• The Fulton Schools of Engineering’s industrial engineering online master’s degree lands at No. 12 in the 2021 rankings. Enhanced by ASU’s commitment to industry-led programming, the industrial engineering master’s degree has a strong focus on industrial statistics and quality engineering, applied operations research, production and supply-chain logistics, and enterprise information systems in manufacturing and service environments.

Online students in the Fulton Schools of Engineering receive instruction from the same award-winning faculty and have access to the same curriculum and resources offered to campus-immersion students. They are also privy to a unique set of technologies and services tailored for remote learners, including technical platforms focused on enhancing learning outcomes, as well as providing remote access to admissions counseling, resume writing and career placement support — all elements that increase programs’ standing in the U.S. News & World Report rankings.

One group taking advantage of ASU’s innovative programs and dedication to providing access to higher education are America’s veterans. This year, the Fulton Schools of Engineering’s online degree programs are ranked No. 6 overall for veterans. ASU’s online programs are consistently ranked among the highest in the country for veterans and active-duty service members, who value distance learning programs that are affordable, accessible and reputable.

The Fulton Schools of Engineering is also committed to continuing education to meet changing workforce needs through workforce development programs, pathways and professional certifications, such as those associated with the online master’s degree in computer science, which trains students in topics including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and big data.

“Our online offerings not only introduce stackable credentials that students can apply toward attaining a graduate degree, they also provide enriching learning experiences for working professionals who want to acquire new skills that are immediately transferable to the workplace,” said Jeff Goss, assistant dean and executive director of Global Outreach and Extended Education at ASU. “We are constantly iterating to deliver innovative learning approaches to meet the needs of learners anywhere in the world at any phase of their career.”

The strength of the Fulton Schools of Engineering’s programs is bolstered by its community of scholars.

“It is the dedication and outstanding instruction by our faculty that differentiates us from our peers and enables students to become stellar practicing engineers and technologists,” Squires said.

U.S. News & World Report computed its rankings from among 105 schools offering online master’s degrees in engineering, rating them in the categories of engagement, faculty credentials and training, expert opinion, services and technologies, and student success.

See the complete list of 2021 Best Online Engineering Programs Rankings on the U.S. News & World Report website.