ASU Online BSE Engineering (Tuition & Career ROI)
ASU Online’s engineering value depends on the exact BSE major, your net price, how many credits apply, and the career you plan to enter. Check admission rules, the degree map, online course availability, and program-specific ABET status before enrolling. Then compare total cost with realistic local wages, expected debt payments, and your likely time to finish.
An engineering degree can open paths to technical roles, but a bachelor’s degree alone does not guarantee a particular job or salary. The key is to price the exact ASU Online program you want, then test whether its cost and requirements fit your plans.
In my degree-value reviews, the biggest surprises often come from transfer credits and course sequences, not the advertised tuition rate. A credit may transfer without meeting a required engineering course, for example. That can affect both your finish date and total cost.
ASU Online BSE: Major Options, Admissions, and Accreditation
A Bachelor of Science in Engineering is not one uniform program. Major requirements, admission standards, online availability, accreditation, and career paths can differ, so start by identifying the exact ASU degree you want to complete.
Use ASU’s current program pages and Academic Catalog to confirm the degree name and requirements. Do not assume that information for one engineering major applies to another. If you are comparing programs, write down the exact major and delivery method for each one.
Admission fit and accreditation
ASU first-year admission decisions use academic criteria that may include GPA, class rank, or test scores. Engineering programs can have major-specific standards, and transfer students may face different rules. Check the current ASU first-year admission requirements and the requirements for your chosen program.
ASU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation applies to the university; it does not mean every engineering program is accredited by ABET. ABET accreditation is program-specific. Search the exact degree and delivery option in ABET’s program database before relying on accreditation for a career or licensure plan.
If you hope to become a licensed professional engineer, ask the relevant state licensing board what education and experience it requires. Rules can vary by state and by career path. Confirm that the specific degree meets the education rules that apply to your goal.
Takeaway: Verify the exact major, admission criteria, delivery format, and ABET status before using a general ASU statement to make a decision.
Engineering Curriculum, Prerequisites, Credit Requirements, and Tuition
A degree map shows the courses and order needed to graduate. It matters for cost because engineering courses may have prerequisites, and a delay in one course can shift later classes. Treat the current program catalog and degree map as the authority for your plan.
ASU bachelor’s programs commonly require 120 credit hours, but the specific catalog controls. Your total may include general studies, math and science, major courses, and other requirements. Check the current ASU Academic Catalog and the degree map for the program and catalog year you will follow.
Before you enroll, ask for an official transfer-credit evaluation. A course might count toward general education but not replace a required engineering or math course. Get clarity on which credits apply to the degree, not only which credits ASU accepts.
Estimate your actual price
There is no single reliable price for every ASU Online engineering student. Tuition and fees can vary with program, credit load, residency or tuition category, transfer credits, and financial aid. Use ASU’s tuition estimator and the ASU net price calculator to estimate your own cost.
“Net price” means the amount you expect to pay after grants and scholarships are considered. It is not the same as tuition, and it can differ from the amount you borrow. Submit the FAFSA to be considered for federal and eligible institutional aid. Confirm any aid conditions, including satisfactory academic progress rules.
| Cost item | What to check | Why it changes your ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and required fees | Estimate by major and planned course load | Sets the starting cost |
| Transfer credits | Get an official evaluation | Can reduce required courses, if they meet degree rules |
| Course sequence | Ask when required courses are offered | A missed prerequisite may delay completion |
| Aid and scholarships | Confirm eligibility and renewal terms | Changes your net cost |
| Borrowing | Estimate loan balance and payments | Affects monthly budget after graduation |
Model completion time, not just price per credit
A lower price per credit may not mean a lower total cost if courses do not fit your schedule or transfer plan. Ask an advisor to review your remaining requirements and intended course load. Confirm which courses are offered online, whether any labs or other activities require in-person attendance, and when key courses are available.
A simple cost model is:
Estimated net cost = tuition + required fees + course-related expenses − grants and scholarships
Then add the effect of time. If a delayed course adds a term, include that term’s tuition and fees, plus any added borrowing. Before committing, request a written degree plan and check how your course load could affect aid eligibility.
Takeaway: Compare estimated total net cost and time to completion, not a per-credit price or unconfirmed transfer-credit estimate.
Academic Success, Online Course Delivery, and Student Support
Online study changes where and when you learn, but it does not remove the math, science, project, and course-sequencing demands of an engineering degree. A realistic plan accounts for study time, course availability, required activities, and the support you may need to stay on track.
Ask ASU how the courses in your intended degree are delivered. Confirm whether labs, exams, group projects, or capstone work have special requirements. Do not assume that “online” means every requirement can be completed from any location or on any schedule.
A practical planning example
Consider a student who has completed calculus at another college. The course may transfer, but the student should confirm whether it satisfies the exact calculus requirement in the engineering degree map. If it does not, the student may need another course before moving on to later engineering classes.
This example is not an ASU student outcome; it shows why written confirmation matters. Before enrolling, compare your transcript with the program map and ask an advisor to identify outstanding prerequisites. Also ask how often required courses are offered and whether your planned workload is realistic alongside work or family duties.
Make a term-by-term plan that includes:
- Math and science prerequisites, in the order required
- Major courses and any labs or project work
- Course availability and expected term of completion
- Your work schedule and weekly study time
- Aid renewal rules and minimum academic progress
If you need to change your course load, ask how that affects aid, completion time, and future course access. Keeping a lighter schedule may make study manageable, but it could also extend the time you pay fees or delay your move into a target job.
Takeaway: Resolve course sequencing, online availability, and aid rules before treating a graduation date as certain.
Career Pathways, Licensure Considerations, and Employment Outcomes
Career ROI is the financial value of a degree compared with its cost and the earnings you might have without it. It depends on the occupation, location, experience, and program fit. A national salary average cannot predict your personal outcome, so compare the roles you are likely to pursue.
Start with jobs related to your specific major and skills. Use the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to review job duties, education expectations, wage information, and outlook by occupation. Check the date and geographic scope of each figure. A national median is not an entry-level offer or a guaranteed salary.
ASU career resources, internships, project work, and technical experience can help you assess and pursue relevant roles. Their value depends on what you build and the opportunities available to you; do not assume that enrollment alone provides a job offer.
Calculate a break-even point
A simple break-even estimate compares the degree’s net cost with the extra annual earnings you expect it to enable:
Simple break-even years = net degree cost ÷ estimated annual earnings increase
For example, if a student’s estimated net cost were $60,000 and the annual earnings increase were $15,000, the simple calculation would be four years. These are hypothetical figures, not ASU tuition or a forecast. The calculation leaves out taxes, loan interest, foregone earnings while studying, and the possibility that the wage increase takes time to reach.
| Scenario | Net cost | Expected earnings increase | Simple break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| A: lower cost, larger increase | $40,000 | $15,000 a year | About 2.7 years |
| B: higher cost, same increase | $80,000 | $15,000 a year | About 5.3 years |
| C: moderate cost, smaller increase | $60,000 | $7,500 a year | 8 years |
These examples show how sensitive ROI is to both cost and earnings. They do not predict actual results. For a more useful comparison, estimate the earnings difference between your likely path with the degree and your realistic alternative without it. Then test more than one wage scenario.
If the degree is tied to licensure, check the state requirements and confirm that the exact program meets the education rules. Do not infer licensure eligibility from ASU’s institutional accreditation or from a different ABET-accredited program.
Takeaway: Use occupation-specific wage data and your own net-price estimate; treat break-even math as a planning tool, not a promise.
Is ASU Online Engineering Worth the Cost?
ASU Online engineering may be financially reasonable when the exact major fits your career goal, the confirmed degree plan fits your timeline, and the estimated net price is manageable. It is harder to judge when transfer credits are uncertain, the course sequence may add time, or the target job and wage are unclear.
Before deciding, compare at least two plans: your expected cost and completion time, and a cautious version with fewer applicable transfer credits or an extra term. Estimate loan payments using the amount you would actually borrow and the current loan terms available to you. Review how those payments fit your likely starting income and other obligations.
A degree can also have value beyond pay, but financial analysis should not assume that value will offset any price. If the numbers look tight, ask about scholarships, employer support, a different course load, or a lower-cost way to complete transferable requirements. Confirm transfer plans before taking courses elsewhere.
Next step: Get the current degree map, official credit evaluation, program-specific accreditation status, and personalized net-price estimate. Recalculate ROI using a realistic occupation and location.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers summarize the main checks for evaluating ASU Online engineering. Program rules, tuition, course schedules, aid, and accreditation details can change, so verify each item with the current ASU source before you apply or enroll.
How much does ASU Online engineering cost?
There is no one price for every major or student. Use ASU’s tuition estimator and net price calculator, then confirm your fees, credits, aid, and transfer evaluation.
How many credits does an ASU engineering bachelor’s degree require?
ASU bachelor’s programs commonly require 120 credit hours, but the catalog and degree map for your exact major and catalog year control.
Is every ASU Online engineering degree ABET-accredited?
No. ABET accreditation applies to specific programs. Search the exact degree and delivery format in ABET’s database before relying on accreditation.
Does ASU accept transfer credits for engineering courses?
Credit evaluation is individual. Ask ASU to confirm which credits apply to your specific degree requirements, not just whether a course is accepted for credit.
Can I complete every engineering requirement online?
Do not assume so. Ask the program which courses, labs, exams, or other requirements are online and whether any require in-person participation.
What admission requirements apply to ASU Online engineering?
Requirements can depend on your student type and major. Check current ASU admission information and the specific program’s criteria.
Will this degree qualify me for a professional engineer license?
That depends on the program and the licensing rules in the state where you plan to work. Confirm requirements with the state licensing board and verify the degree’s accreditation status.
How should I estimate the degree’s career return?
Compare your personalized net cost and borrowing with likely earnings in a relevant occupation and location. Use BLS occupation data as a benchmark, not a salary guarantee.
What is the biggest financial risk when planning this degree?
A longer completion time can raise total costs. Prerequisite gaps, courses offered in a different term, and credits that do not meet major requirements can all affect the schedule.
Should I apply for financial aid?
Submit the FAFSA to be considered for federal and eligible institutional aid. Check award terms, renewal rules, and satisfactory academic progress requirements before relying on aid.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Benjamin Carter. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
