Best Online Engineering Programs in Tucson, AZ (2026)
Tucson, Arizona has a population of about 543,348. The city’s median household income is $54,546 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Tucson. 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 Tucson
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Tucson city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 6.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pima Community College | Tucson, AZ | 7.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cochise County Community College District | Sierra Vista, AZ | 55.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Arizona College | Coolidge, AZ | 71.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Arizona College | Thatcher, AZ | 80.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Tucson
Tucson 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.
Tucson at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $54,546 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.2% | 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 Tucson-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Sahuarita, AZ – 16.2 mi away (46,385 pop)
- Oro Valley, AZ – 19.3 mi away (43,781 pop)
- Marana, AZ – 25.2 mi away (43,474 pop)
- Sierra Vista, AZ – 52.6 mi away (51,927 pop)
- Nogales, AZ – 54.9 mi away (30,771 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Tucson, AZ?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Tucson. The closest is University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ (6.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Eastern Arizona College (80.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Tucson?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Tucson 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 Sahuarita instead of Tucson?
Sahuarita, AZ is 16.2 miles from Tucson 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 Tucson an affordable place to study engineering?
Tucson’s median household income of $54,546 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Tucson 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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