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Electrical engineering (EE) and electrical engineering technology (EET) are related but distinct degrees. EE programs generally lean toward mathematical analysis, theory, and conceptual design; EET programs generally lean toward applying engineering knowledge to build, test, operate, and maintain practical systems. Neither path is automatically better, and the labels alone do not tell you exactly what a school teaches. Compare the required courses, labs, projects, accreditation, and requirements of the jobs or further study you have in mind.
What’s the difference between EET and EE?
ABET summarizes the broad distinction this way: “Engineering programs often focus on theory and conceptual design, while engineering technology programs usually focus on application and implementation.” These are tendencies, not rigid boundaries. An EE program can include substantial lab work, and EET programs still require technical and mathematical study.
| Decision point | Electrical engineering (EE) | Electrical engineering technology (EET) | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical emphasis | Foundational analysis, theory, and conceptual design | Applied engineering, implementation, and practical systems work | Required courses, labs, projects, and program outcomes |
| Accreditation category | ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) | ABET Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) | Exact program, degree level, campus, and current status |
| Common work directions described by ABET | Conceptual design or research and development | Construction, manufacturing, product design, testing, technical services, or sales | Job postings and employer degree requirements |
| Further study and licensure considerations | Often suited to graduate engineering study; accredited bachelor’s engineering graduates have a broad route toward PE registration | Further study may include engineering, facilities management, or business; PE eligibility varies by state | Graduate-program prerequisites and the relevant state licensing board |
These are general patterns, not guarantees about a particular graduate or job. A bachelor’s EET degree is also different from an associate EET degree; the degree level matters when comparing outcomes and requirements.
How do the curricula differ?
ABET’s criteria give a useful high-level picture, but they are program-level requirements rather than a prescribed course-by-course comparison. Under ABET’s 2025–2026 engineering criteria, a bachelor’s engineering curriculum includes at least 30 semester credit hours of college-level mathematics and basic sciences, at least 45 semester credit hours of engineering topics, and a culminating major design experience. These minimums apply to bachelor’s engineering programs; they are not a complete description of any one EE curriculum.
ABET’s 2025–2026 electrical/electronics engineering technology criteria emphasize applied work with circuits, programming, electronics, and systems. They require calculus and identify technical application to electrical and electronic systems. Because program objectives and course sequences differ, these criteria should not be read as a direct, one-to-one tally of which degree has more of every subject.
Compare actual programs, not just degree names
- Read the current catalog’s required math, science, and technical courses, including course descriptions.
- Check how much lab work, implementation, testing, and project work is built into the required sequence.
- Look at capstone or major-design requirements and the kinds of problems students are expected to address.
- Compare the program’s stated outcomes with the work and further study you are considering.
What does ABET accreditation mean for EE and EET?
ABET accredits individual programs through separate commissions. EAC accredits engineering programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. ETAC accredits engineering technology programs at the associate and bachelor’s levels. EET is therefore not automatically a two-year technician credential: an accredited EET program may be either an associate or a bachelor’s program.
Accreditation applies to a specific program, not automatically to every degree offered by a college or department. Search ABET’s directory for the exact program and campus, and confirm its current status rather than inferring accreditation from the institution’s name or a department label.
What kinds of work can each degree lead to?
ABET describes engineering graduates as commonly working in areas such as conceptual design and research and development. It describes four-year engineering technology graduates as commonly entering construction, manufacturing, product design, testing, and technical services or sales. These examples indicate typical directions, not exclusive job categories or a guarantee that a particular employer will accept either degree.
For a specific role, examine current job postings and note whether employers ask for EE, EET, an engineering or engineering technology degree, particular technical skills, or professional licensure. Requirements can differ by role and employer, so a degree’s general emphasis is not a substitute for checking the target job.
Can you become a PE with an EET degree?
Potentially, but eligibility depends on the state or territory and the exact education and experience record. ABET says graduates of accredited bachelor’s engineering programs may pursue professional engineer registration through the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exams and documented experience in all U.S. states and territories. Graduates of accredited bachelor’s engineering technology programs may also qualify through that route in many, but not all, states.
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Do not treat the degree title or accreditation alone as a promise of eligibility. Check the requirements published by the licensing board where you may seek registration, especially if PE licensure is central to your career plans.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which degree is right for you?
Start with the work and study you want to do, then test each program against its actual curriculum and requirements.
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- Consider EE if: you are drawn to mathematical modeling, foundational analysis, theory, and conceptual design, or you are targeting graduate engineering programs whose prerequisites align with an EE curriculum.
- Consider EET if: you are drawn to applying engineering knowledge through practical systems work, implementation, testing, and labs, and the jobs you want accept the particular EET degree level you plan to earn.
- Compare both if: you are unsure. Review required courses and project work at each school, then compare those requirements with job postings, graduate-program prerequisites, and—if relevant—state PE rules.
Central Washington University, for example, describes its EET program as having fewer upper-division math courses and more hands-on application than EE. That is one university’s characterization, not a universal rule for all schools. CWU also states that graduates of both programs have successful careers; that observation should not be treated as comparative employment or salary data.
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