Best Online Engineering Programs in Tempe, AZ (2026)
Tempe, Arizona has a population of about 186,419. The city’s median household income is $77,643 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 49.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Tempe, with tuition ranging from $12,280 to $23,864 per year. 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 Tempe
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Tempe city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion | Tempe, AZ | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Advancing Technology | Tempe, AZ | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sonoran Desert Institute | Tempe, AZ | 2.9 mi | $12,280 - $23,864 | – |
| Mesa Community College | Mesa, AZ | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Refrigeration School Inc | Phoenix, AZ | 5.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Tempe
Tempe 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.
Tempe at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $77,643 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 49.5% | 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 Tempe-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Chandler, AZ – 8.6 mi away (247,477 pop)
- Gilbert, AZ – 12.0 mi away (237,133 pop)
- Mesa, AZ – 12.4 mi away (484,587 pop)
- Phoenix, AZ – 15.6 mi away (4,054,083 pop)
- Fountain Hills, AZ – 18.7 mi away (24,482 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Tempe, AZ?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Tempe. The closest is Arizona State University Campus Immersion in Tempe, AZ (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Refrigeration School Inc (5.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Tempe?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Tempe 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 Chandler instead of Tempe?
Chandler, AZ is 8.6 miles from Tempe 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 Tempe an affordable place to study engineering?
Tempe’s median household income of $77,643 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Tempe 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
Back to Best Online Engineering Programs in Arizona (2026)
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in Arizona (2026)