Electrical engineers work at the cutting edge of technology to invent, design, and develop electrical systems and components. To gain advanced skills in this growing field, more engineers are pursuing graduate degrees.
A master’s or doctorate allows you to specialize, conduct innovative research, and qualify for leadership roles. When considering grad school, it pays to choose a top-ranked program.
In this article, we will explore highly respected graduate schools for electrical engineering. We’ll cover key factors like:
- Program rankings and reputation
- Areas of specialization
- Facilities and research centers
-Notable faculty and alumni - Application requirements
Read on to discover some of the finest institutions training tomorrow’s electrical engineering leaders.
Why Get an Advanced Electrical Engineering Degree?
An advanced degree in electrical engineering unlocks key benefits
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Specialize Focus your studies in areas like electronics, power systems, telecommunications, robotics, or biomedical engineering This allows you to target roles that match your interests and talents.
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Advanced research: Work on emerging technologies and cutting-edge applications through independent study or lab work. Publish papers to establish yourself as an innovator.
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Higher salary potential: Electrical engineers with graduate degrees typically earn 20-30% more than those with just a bachelor’s degree.
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Career advancement: A master’s or PhD positions you for senior engineering and management roles.
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Better job prospects: Employment for electrical engineers is projected to grow faster than average over the next decade. An advanced degree makes you more competitive.
Now let’s explore some of the country’s top graduate programs in electrical engineering.
Highly Ranked Graduate Schools for Electrical Engineering
The schools below are recognized nationally for their outstanding graduate programs in this field:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT boasts an electrical engineering department with 80+ faculty and nearly 300 graduate students. Areas of expertise include circuits and electronics, communications, signal processing, robotics, and nanotechnology. Unique labs like the Microsystems Technology Laboratories support trailblazing research. MIT also operates the Plasma Science and Fusion Center along with a fission reactor for nuclear energy studies.
Stanford University
Stanford’s electrical engineering department is highly interdisciplinary, blending EE with fields like biology, medicine, climate science, and public policy. Students benefit from close ties to Silicon Valley companies, ample research funding, and world-class facilities such as the Nanofabrication Facility for micro- and nanodevice fabrication.
University of California – Berkeley
UC Berkeley has consistently ranked #1 nationally for graduate electrical engineering programs. With access to specialized labs like the Center for Energy Efficient Electronics Science, students can pursue interests from semiconductors and quantum computing to power systems and optics.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The electrical and computer engineering department at UIUC boasts over 100 faculty and roughly 600 graduate students. Areas of eminence include microelectronics, electromagnetics, robotics, remote sensing, and power and energy systems. Graduates have access to an expansive alumni network at leading technology companies.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Tech’s electrical engineering program is highly interdisciplinary, interfacing with areas like computer engineering, biomedical engineering, aerospace, and physics. Renowned research centers include the High-Performance Integrated Circuits and Systems Lab, Georgia Electronic Design Center, and Neuromorphic Engineering Research Lab.
Other Notable Graduate Programs
Beyond the top-ranked schools above, many other colleges offer strong graduate programs in electrical engineering:
- Texas A&M University
- University of Michigan
- Purdue University
- University of Texas at Austin
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- University of California San Diego
- University of Wisconsin – Madison
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- Northwestern University
- New York University
When researching schools, look at factors like research areas, facilities, career outcomes for alumni, and location. Visit campuses if possible to get a feel for the program and culture.
Now let’s discuss application requirements.
Application Essentials for Graduate Programs
Applying to graduate school takes planning. Here are key items electrical engineering applicants need:
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Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges attended showcasing undergraduate coursework and GPA
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GRE scores: Competitive scores on the graduate school entrance exam (some schools allow waivers)
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Letters of recommendation: Typically three references who can speak to your academic and/or professional abilities
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Resume/CV: Highlight relevant coursework, research, internships, and engineering experience
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Statement of purpose: Essay explaining your motivations, research interests, and career goals
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Application fee: Typically $50 – $100 to submit the application package
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Interviews: Some programs may require an interview before admission
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Portfolio: Showcase academic and professional projects, papers, and presentations
With meticulous planning and a stellar application, you can gain admission to a top electrical engineering graduate program.
Embark on an Exciting Career
Advanced electrical engineering degrees open doors to rewarding careers developing cutting-edge technologies. By choosing a top-ranked graduate program, you can access innovative research, world-class faculty, stellar career support, and a prestigious credential.
If you’re ready to take the next step as an electrical engineer, don’t just research programs—apply! Visit the graduate admissions website to exploredeadlines, requirements, and opportunities at the school of your choice.
The future of electrical engineering is brighter than ever. Advance your knowledge and credentials to help shape it!
How we rank schools
Electrical engineering is a science and math-related field, and the degree programs highlighted on our list generally award either a Master of Science or a Master of Engineering. These programs are available in various delivery methods, including strictly online, strictly on-campus, and a combination of the two. Many of the online programs are available asynchronously, allowing distance learners to earn their degree on their own schedule.
Accreditation of a master’s in electrical engineering program is extremely important. Not only does it ensure a high-quality education that meets the rigorous standards of the accrediting agency, but in many cases, having graduated from an accredited program is required in order to qualify for certain positions at the federal level or professional examinations. All of the institutions included here are fully accredited.
We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out our ranking methodology.
Research schools and programs
Once you’ve chosen your specialization, it’s time to research potential programs. Consider asking the following questions to help guide your search:
- How does the curriculum support my intended specialization?
- Who are the faculty, and what are their credentials and expertise?
- What are the research and lab facilities like?
- How does the program integrate with industry?
- What are the career outcomes for graduates?
Answers to these questions can typically be found on university websites, by contacting program coordinators directly, or by attending an information session. You can also reach out to current students or alumni through LinkedIn or Reddit to gain more of an insider perspective.
