Best Online Engineering Programs in Surprise, AZ (2026)
Surprise, Arizona has a population of about 149,519. The city’s median household income is $93,371 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Surprise. In Arizona, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $172,680 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Surprise
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Surprise city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estrella Mountain Community College | Avondale, AZ | 15.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale, AZ | 16.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Miller-Motte College-Arizona Automotive Institute | Glendale, AZ | 19.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| DeVry University-Arizona | Phoenix, AZ | 21.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 21.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Surprise
Surprise is part of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area (BLS area code 38060). 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 | $95,400 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $92,352 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,820 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $106,312 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,300 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $99,032 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,050 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $121,055 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $139,260 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $134,811 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $120,310 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $116,467 |
| Environmental Engineer | $93,390 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $90,407 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $172,680 | AZ statewide | $167,164 |
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.
Surprise at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $93,371 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Maricopa County | 27,811 workers, 3,611 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Surprise-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- El Mirage, AZ – 9.5 mi away (35,043 pop)
- Peoria, AZ – 11.4 mi away (164,173 pop)
- Glendale, AZ – 14.8 mi away (245,895 pop)
- Buckeye, AZ – 20.4 mi away (64,629 pop)
- Avondale, AZ – 21.7 mi away (214,235 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Surprise, AZ?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Surprise. The closest is Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, AZ (15.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Grand Canyon University (21.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Surprise?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Surprise are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($172,680), Aerospace Engineer ($139,260), Chemical Engineer ($125,050). 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 El Mirage instead of Surprise?
El Mirage, AZ is 9.5 miles from Surprise 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 Surprise an affordable place to study engineering?
Surprise’s median household income of $93,371 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Surprise 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
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