Best Online Engineering Programs in Lancaster, CA (2026)
Lancaster, California has a population of about 170,013. The city’s median household income is $76,083 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Lancaster, with tuition ranging from $1,181 to $20,317 per year. In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $181,400 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Lancaster
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Lancaster city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antelope Valley Community College District | Lancaster, CA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita, CA | 29.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Art Center College of Design | Pasadena, CA | 36.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale, CA | 36.5 mi | $1,181 - $15,802 | – |
| California State University-Northridge | Northridge, CA | 36.8 mi | $7,095 - $20,317 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Lancaster
Lancaster is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area (BLS area code 31080). 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 | $105,290 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $92,685 |
| Electrical Engineer | $134,900 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $118,750 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $114,290 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,607 |
| Chemical Engineer | $122,950 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $108,231 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,860 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $126,637 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $115,020 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $101,250 |
| Environmental Engineer | $119,780 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,440 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $181,400 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $159,683 |
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.
Lancaster at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,083 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 113.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Los Angeles County | 46,423 workers, 7,228 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lancaster-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Palmdale, CA – 7.9 mi away (157,356 pop)
- Santa Clarita, CA – 27.0 mi away (266,958 pop)
- San Fernando, CA – 31.7 mi away (24,717 pop)
- La Canada Flintridge, CA – 33.5 mi away (20,447 pop)
- Glendale, CA – 35.6 mi away (200,831 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Lancaster, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Lancaster. The closest is Antelope Valley Community College District in Lancaster, CA (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is California State University-Northridge (36.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Lancaster?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Lancaster are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($181,400), Aerospace Engineer ($143,860), Electrical Engineer ($134,900). 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 Palmdale instead of Lancaster?
Palmdale, CA is 7.9 miles from Lancaster 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 Lancaster an affordable place to study engineering?
Lancaster’s median household income of $76,083 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lancaster 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.
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