Best Online Engineering Programs in Fairbanks, AK (2026)
Fairbanks, Alaska has a population of about 32,242. The city’s median household income is $72,077 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 26.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited engineering program within 100 miles of Fairbanks. In the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $137,300 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Fairbanks
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Fairbanks city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | Fairbanks, AK | 5.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Alaska schools on the Alaska engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Fairbanks
Fairbanks is part of the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area (BLS area code 21820). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Alaska statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $104,600 | Fairbanks-College, AK | $101,357 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,450 | Fairbanks-College, AK | $101,211 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $117,060 | Fairbanks-College, AK | $113,430 |
| Chemical Engineer | $106,360 | AK statewide | $103,062 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $100,610 | AK statewide | $97,490 |
| Biomedical Engineer | N/A | AK statewide | – |
| Environmental Engineer | $108,040 | Fairbanks-College, AK | $104,690 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $137,300 | Fairbanks-College, AK | $133,043 |
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.
Fairbanks at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,242 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $72,077 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 26.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Fairbanks North Star County | 348 workers, 58 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Fairbanks, AK?
Our directory lists 1 engineering programs within 100 miles of Fairbanks. The closest is University of Alaska Fairbanks in Fairbanks, AK (5.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Alaska Fairbanks (5.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Fairbanks?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Fairbanks are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($137,300), Mechanical Engineer ($117,060), Environmental Engineer ($108,040). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Alaska statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Is Fairbanks an affordable place to study engineering?
Fairbanks’s median household income of $72,077 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fairbanks while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Alaska 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.