Best Online Engineering Programs in Hot Springs, AR (2026)
Hot Springs, Arkansas has a population of about 38,023. The city’s median household income is $46,441 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Hot Springs, with tuition ranging from $8,455 to $21,536 per year. In Arkansas, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $132,660 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Hot Springs
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Hot Springs city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University Three Rivers | Malvern, AR | 15.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 43.4 mi | $8,455 - $21,013 | – |
| University of Arkansas Grantham | LIttle Rock, AR | 44.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College | North Little Rock, AR | 47.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 55.6 mi | $8,508 - $21,536 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Hot Springs
Hot Springs is part of the Hot Springs, AR metro area (BLS area code 26300). 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 | $81,930 | Hot Springs, AR | $95,601 |
| Electrical Engineer | $96,500 | AR statewide | $112,602 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $78,570 | AR statewide | $91,680 |
| Chemical Engineer | $99,020 | AR statewide | $115,543 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $103,900 | AR statewide | $121,237 |
| Biomedical Engineer | N/A | AR statewide | – |
| Environmental Engineer | $84,600 | AR statewide | $98,716 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $132,660 | AR statewide | $154,796 |
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.
Hot Springs at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,023 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $46,441 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 85.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Garland County | 171 workers, 37 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hot Springs-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Benton, AR – 27.8 mi away (35,775 pop)
- Bryant, AR – 32.9 mi away (20,005 pop)
- Little Rock, AR – 42.5 mi away (442,554 pop)
- North Little Rock, AR – 50.3 mi away (66,278 pop)
- Conway, AR – 52.0 mi away (72,360 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Hot Springs, AR?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Hot Springs. The closest is Arkansas State University Three Rivers in Malvern, AR (15.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Arkansas Tech University (55.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Hot Springs?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Hot Springs are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($132,660), Aerospace Engineer ($103,900), Chemical Engineer ($99,020). 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 Benton instead of Hot Springs?
Benton, AR is 27.8 miles from Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs an affordable place to study engineering?
Hot Springs’s median household income of $46,441 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hot Springs 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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