Best Online Engineering Programs in Oro Valley, AZ (2026)
Oro Valley, Arizona has a population of about 47,595. The city’s median household income is $105,342 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 57.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 18 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Oro Valley, with tuition ranging from $12,280 to $23,864 per year for indexed programs. In the Tucson, AZ metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $179,760 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Oro Valley
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 18 schools in our directory that offer engineering programs near Oro Valley. Distances are calculated from Oro Valley city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 13.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pima Community College | Tucson, AZ | 14.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Arizona College | Coolidge, AZ | 53.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cochise County Community College District | Sierra Vista, AZ | 73.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Arizona College | Thatcher, AZ | 76.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College | Chandler, AZ | 76.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mesa Community College | Mesa, AZ | 84.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Advancing Technology | Tempe, AZ | 87.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion | Tempe, AZ | 88.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sonoran Desert Institute | Tempe, AZ | 89.6 mi | $12,280 - $23,864 | ✓ |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Oro Valley
Oro Valley is part of the Tucson, AZ metro area (BLS area code 46060). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arizona statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $75,900 | Tucson, AZ | $78,328 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,510 | Tucson, AZ | $114,045 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,730 | Tucson, AZ | $114,272 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,050 | AZ statewide | $129,051 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $111,490 | Tucson, AZ | $115,057 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $102,110 | Tucson, AZ | $105,377 |
| Environmental Engineer | $82,120 | Tucson, AZ | $84,747 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $179,760 | Tucson, AZ | $185,511 |
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.
Oro Valley at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,595 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $105,342 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 57.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Pima County | 4,033 workers, 637 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Oro Valley-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Marana, AZ – 10.5 mi away (43,474 pop)
- Tucson, AZ – 19.3 mi away (860,333 pop)
- Sahuarita, AZ – 33.8 mi away (46,385 pop)
- Casa Grande, AZ – 56.6 mi away (57,635 pop)
- Queen Creek, AZ – 68.3 mi away (35,524 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering schools are near Oro Valley, AZ?
Our directory has 18 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Oro Valley. The closest is University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ (13.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Sonoran Desert Institute (89.6 miles). 1 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Oro Valley?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Oro Valley are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($179,760), Chemical Engineer ($125,050), Aerospace Engineer ($111,490). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arizona statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Marana instead of Oro Valley?
Marana, AZ is 10.5 miles from Oro Valley 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 Oro Valley an affordable place to study engineering?
Oro Valley’s median household income of $105,342 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Oro Valley while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arizona 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
Back to Best Online Engineering Programs in Arizona (2026)
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