Being the highest-paid career, it is highly competitive and demanding and requires sound knowledge that comes with experience and a degree from a reputed Institute that is very expensive.
Online versus On-Campus degree
Earning an engineering degree online is a great option due to the high cost of attending an on-campus program.
When considering the cost of becoming an engineer, you may also want to explore certification courses such as the Safe Release Train Engineer certification course to further your expertise.
The teaching style involves online classes and video lessons, as well as separate doubt clearing sessions. The faculty is fully supportive, and students can seek assistance from their fellow classmates pursuing the same degree from all around the world via online social communities.
The study material and the reference material can be accessed online and are regularly updated, keeping in mind the changes in the industry.
The admission process for both is similar. Nevertheless, there is a considerable cost difference; the bachelor's degree from both platforms is equally acknowledged and holds credibility in the corporate sector.
Undergraduate programs often require students to complete 120 to 130 credit hours over the course of four years, as well as complete a project to obtain hands-on experience in their chosen specialization.
With an online program, the students manage to save a significant amount of cost without compromising on the quality of their education.
- Tuition Fees – An on-campus engineering degree costs over $40000, whereas an online engineering degree costs around $16000 on average, which is one-third of the former.
- Living cost – With an online degree, a student saves the additional cost of accommodation, travel, relocation, food, which is an additional $20000 or above for a 4-year bachelor program.
- Examination Cost – Taking the qualifying exam to be eligible for the undergraduate degree costs about the same whether you take it on campus or online.
For an undergraduate degree, one must take the SAT, which may cost anywhere from $45 to $60, and a valid GRE score, which can cost anywhere from $205 to $210, is required for a master's or postgraduate degree.
For international students, there is an additional exam, namely TOEFL and IELTS, to test the candidate's proficiency in the English language that may cost between $170 -$220.
- License Cost- To practice engineering, a student, after completing their undergraduate degree that ABET accredits, has to appear for two-part PE exams, the cost of which is above $350 and may vary from state to state.
The first part is FE, i.e., Fundamental of engineering exam. Once a student qualifies for this, they have to work for four years as an engineer in their specialized area and then appear for a PE, i.e., Professional Engineer exam, to become a licensed engineer.
Aside from the financial benefits, an online degree allows students to study at their own speed, allowing them to hone other talents or pursue other interests that will help them build the personalities that will benefit them in their employment.