Best Online Engineering Programs in Benton, AR (2026)
Benton, Arkansas has a population of about 35,954. The city’s median household income is $69,638 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Benton, with tuition ranging from $8,455 to $21,013 per year. In the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $127,740 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Benton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Benton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 16.6 mi | $8,455 - $21,013 | – |
| University of Arkansas Grantham | LIttle Rock, AR | 19.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arkansas State University Three Rivers | Malvern, AR | 19.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College | North Little Rock, AR | 21.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 38.3 mi | $9,019 - $20,907 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Benton
Benton is part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area (BLS area code 30780). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arkansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $81,350 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $90,996 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,790 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $118,333 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $90,830 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $101,600 |
| Chemical Engineer | $94,600 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $105,817 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $104,320 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $116,689 |
| Biomedical Engineer | N/A | AR statewide | – |
| Environmental Engineer | $77,290 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $86,454 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $127,740 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $142,886 |
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.
Benton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,954 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $69,638 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Saline County | 214 workers, 49 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Benton-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Bryant, AR – 5.3 mi away (20,005 pop)
- Little Rock, AR – 15.9 mi away (442,554 pop)
- North Little Rock, AR – 23.6 mi away (66,278 pop)
- Hot Springs, AR – 27.8 mi away (57,744 pop)
- Sherwood, AR – 28.2 mi away (30,657 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Benton, AR?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Benton. The closest is University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR (16.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (38.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Benton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Benton are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($127,740), Electrical Engineer ($105,790), Aerospace Engineer ($104,320). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arkansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Bryant instead of Benton?
Bryant, AR is 5.3 miles from Benton 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 Benton an affordable place to study engineering?
Benton’s median household income of $69,638 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Benton while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arkansas 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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