Best Online Engineering Programs in Merced, CA (2026)
Merced, California has a population of about 89,766. The city’s median household income is $59,938 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Merced. In California, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $201,810 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Merced
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Merced city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced College | Merced, CA | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of California-Merced | Merced, CA | 5.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madera Community College | Madera, CA | 37.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 37.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clovis Community College | Fresno, CA | 50.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Merced
Merced is part of the Merced, CA metro area (BLS area code 32900). 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 | $99,600 | Merced, CA | $101,322 |
| Electrical Engineer | $140,360 | CA statewide | $142,787 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $88,250 | Merced, CA | $89,776 |
| Chemical Engineer | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,860 | CA statewide | $146,348 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $125,700 | CA statewide | $127,874 |
| Environmental Engineer | $127,660 | CA statewide | $129,868 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $201,810 | CA statewide | $205,300 |
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.
Merced at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,766 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,938 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Merced County | 102 workers, 15 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Merced-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Atwater, CA – 7.4 mi away (29,270 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 25.0 mi away (106,100 pop)
- Los Banos, CA – 26.1 mi away (37,584 pop)
- Madera, CA – 32.2 mi away (82,278 pop)
- Ceres, CA – 33.3 mi away (48,278 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Merced, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Merced. The closest is Merced College in Merced, CA (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Clovis Community College (50.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Merced?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Merced are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($201,810), 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 Atwater instead of Merced?
Atwater, CA is 7.4 miles from Merced 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 Merced an affordable place to study engineering?
Merced’s median household income of $59,938 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Merced 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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