Topping the list of engineering schools online in terms of affordability, reputation and student satisfaction is North Carolina State University at Raleigh. At $6,930 per year tuition for resident students as of December 2009, it is certainly an affordable option. Geteducated.com has ranked NCSU-Raleigh as its top choice for an online engineering program based on the above criteria. The only drawback is the out-of-state tuition spikes rather sharply to $20,400 per year. NCSU-Raleigh ranks "17th in the nation in research expenditures and 14th in the nation in industry support." Concentrations offered include "biological engineering; biomedical engineering; chemical and biomolecular engineering; civil, construction, and environmental engineering; computer science; electrical and computer engineering; industrial and systems engineering; materials science and engineering; mechanical and aerospace engineering; paper science and engineering; textile engineering; and nuclear engineering."
Northern Arizona University is a highly-rated program with exceptional affordability. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, this nationally recognized university is an excellent choice for both in-state and non-resident students working with a smaller budget. At $7,968 per year for resident students and only $11,868 per year for non-resident students as of December 2009, NAU may be one of the biggest bargains available for any online program, regardless of the degrees offered. In the field of engineering, students can pursue either a bachelor's or master's degree. Concentrations include electrical, environmental, civil, mechanical and water resources engineering. In addition to these, the university offers emphases in construction and technical engineering management specifically designed for distance-education students. What makes this program exceptional is its cost-effectiveness for students and its flexibility. It is one of the few programs in the nation where the entire program can be completed online, and it is also flexible in that the courses can be completed at Arizona State University or the University of Arizona, in addition to the Flagstaff campus. This collaborative effort makes completion of the program attainable for students already working in the field.
Among the nation's top online engineering programs, Mississippi State University is another exceptional value. It is one of the few online colleges that keeps its tuition rates consistent for both non-resident and resident students. The cost of an online engineering degree at MSU will run approximately $11,970 per year as of December 2009. It is also a highly-recognized national program, and offers graduate degrees in the field. Students wishing to take every class online have the opportunity to do so. MSU was rated by geteducated.com as a "best buy" among the nation's engineering programs. MSU offers degrees and concentrations in the following fields: aerospace engineering (M.S.), biological engineering (M.S.), biomedical engineering (M.S., Ph.D.), chemical engineering (M.S.), civil engineering (M.S.), computational engineering (M.S., Ph.D.), computer engineering (M.S., Ph.D.), computer science (M.S., Ph.D.), electrical engineering (M.S., Ph.D.), industrial engineering (M.S.) and master of engineering in mechanical engineering.