Best Online Engineering Programs in Madera, CA (2026)
Madera, California has a population of about 67,133. The city’s median household income is $63,619 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 10.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Madera, with tuition ranging from $6,980 to $18,860 per year. In the Fresno, CA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $160,680 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Madera
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Madera city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madera Community College | Madera, CA | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clovis Community College | Fresno, CA | 20.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fresno City College | Fresno, CA | 20.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Institute of Technology | Clovis, CA | 21.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Fresno | Fresno, CA | 21.4 mi | $6,980 - $18,860 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Madera
Madera is part of the Fresno, CA metro area (BLS area code 23420). 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 | $110,920 | Fresno, CA | $108,532 |
| Electrical Engineer | $126,950 | Fresno, CA | $124,217 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $90,410 | Fresno, CA | $88,464 |
| Chemical Engineer | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,860 | CA statewide | $140,763 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $125,700 | CA statewide | $122,994 |
| Environmental Engineer | $118,760 | Fresno, CA | $116,204 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $160,680 | Fresno, CA | $157,221 |
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.
Madera at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,133 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,619 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 10.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Madera County | 134 workers, 31 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Madera-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Fresno, CA – 20.2 mi away (690,895 pop)
- Clovis, CA – 23.8 mi away (106,583 pop)
- Merced, CA – 32.2 mi away (143,272 pop)
- Sanger, CA – 34.2 mi away (27,413 pop)
- Selma, CA – 37.2 mi away (44,292 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Madera, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Madera. The closest is Madera Community College in Madera, CA (5.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is California State University-Fresno (21.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Madera?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Madera are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($160,680), Aerospace Engineer ($143,860), Electrical Engineer ($126,950). 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 Fresno instead of Madera?
Fresno, CA is 20.2 miles from Madera 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 Madera an affordable place to study engineering?
Madera’s median household income of $63,619 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Madera 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
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