Grass Valley, California has a population of about 14,126. The city’s median household income is $48,850 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Grass Valley, with tuition ranging from $1,128 to $13,062 per year. In California, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $201,810 annually (BLS, May 2024).
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Grass Valley city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuba College | Marysville, CA | 29.2 mi | $1,128 - $12,200 | – |
| Sierra College | Rocklin, CA | 30.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Folsom Lake College | Folsom, CA | 39.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Butte College | Oroville, CA | 43.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA | 52.6 mi | $1,288 - $13,062 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (California, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $118,450 |
| Electrical Engineer | $140,360 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $126,370 |
| Chemical Engineer | N/A |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,860 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $125,700 |
| Environmental Engineer | $127,660 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $201,810 |
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.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,126 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,850 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Engineering-related employment in Nevada County | 437 workers, 107 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Grass Valley. The closest is Yuba College in Marysville, CA (29.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Sacramento City College (52.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles in California are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($201,810), Aerospace Engineer ($143,860), Electrical Engineer ($140,360). Wages for Grass Valley workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Lincoln, CA is 27.3 miles from Grass Valley 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.
Grass Valley’s median household income of $48,850 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Grass Valley while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
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.
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in California (2026)