Best Online Engineering Programs in Auburn, AL (2026)
Auburn, Alabama has a population of about 78,738. The city’s median household income is $56,123 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 62.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Auburn, with tuition ranging from $5,040 to $19,815 per year. In Alabama, the top-earning engineering-related role is Aerospace Engineer at a median $133,080 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Auburn
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Auburn city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee Valley Community College | Phenix City, AL | 29.5 mi | $5,040 - $12,032 | – |
| Columbus Technical College | Columbus, GA | 32.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 32.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Alabama Community College | Alexander City, AL | 34.5 mi | $5,040 - $19,815 | – |
| Southern Union State Community College | Wadley, AL | 36.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Alabama schools on the Alabama engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Auburn
Auburn is part of the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area (BLS area code 12220). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Alabama statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $96,970 | Auburn-Opelika, AL | $110,319 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,210 | Auburn-Opelika, AL | $125,381 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $81,930 | Auburn-Opelika, AL | $93,208 |
| Chemical Engineer | $103,620 | AL statewide | $117,884 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $133,080 | AL statewide | $151,399 |
| Biomedical Engineer | N/A | AL statewide | – |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,060 | AL statewide | $113,834 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $132,990 | Auburn-Opelika, AL | $151,297 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Auburn at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 78,738 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,123 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 62.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 87.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Lee County | 391 workers, 104 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Auburn-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Valley, AL – 22.8 mi away (20,441 pop)
- Columbus, GA – 36.3 mi away (263,737 pop)
- La Grange, GA – 39.1 mi away (36,270 pop)
- Newnan, GA – 67.3 mi away (37,912 pop)
- Carrollton, GA – 71.3 mi away (46,695 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Auburn, AL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Auburn. The closest is Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, AL (29.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southern Union State Community College (36.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Auburn?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Auburn are: Aerospace Engineer ($133,080), Architectural and Engineering Manager ($132,990), Electrical Engineer ($110,210). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Alabama statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Valley instead of Auburn?
Valley, AL is 22.8 miles from Auburn and has its own set of local engineering programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Auburn an affordable place to study engineering?
Auburn’s median household income of $56,123 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Auburn while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Alabama public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
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