Best Online Engineering Programs in Chico, CA (2026)
Chico, California has a population of about 102,032. The city’s median household income is $67,929 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Chico, with tuition ranging from $1,128 to $25,590 per year. In the Chico, CA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $175,290 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Chico
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Chico city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Chico | Chico, CA | 2.5 mi | $8,064 - $25,590 | – |
| Butte College | Oroville, CA | 11.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Yuba College | Marysville, CA | 43.9 mi | $1,128 - $12,200 | – |
| Shasta College | Redding, CA | 65.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sierra College | Rocklin, CA | 74.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Chico
Chico is part of the Chico, CA metro area (BLS area code 17020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $94,580 | Chico, CA | $93,458 |
| Electrical Engineer | $140,360 | CA statewide | $138,696 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $122,370 | Chico, CA | $120,919 |
| Chemical Engineer | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,860 | CA statewide | $142,154 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $125,700 | CA statewide | $124,209 |
| Environmental Engineer | $127,660 | CA statewide | $126,146 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $175,290 | Chico, CA | $173,211 |
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.
Chico at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,032 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,929 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Butte County | 454 workers, 67 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chico-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Paradise, CA – 11.1 mi away (35,163 pop)
- Oroville, CA – 22.2 mi away (45,445 pop)
- Yuba City, CA – 44.0 mi away (120,159 pop)
- Grass Valley, CA – 54.8 mi away (34,508 pop)
- Redding, CA – 63.2 mi away (120,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Chico, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Chico. The closest is California State University-Chico in Chico, CA (2.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Sierra College (74.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Chico?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Chico are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($175,290), Aerospace Engineer ($143,860), Electrical Engineer ($140,360). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Paradise instead of Chico?
Paradise, CA is 11.1 miles from Chico 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 Chico an affordable place to study engineering?
Chico’s median household income of $67,929 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chico while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California 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 California (2026)
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in California (2026)