Best Online Engineering Programs in Modesto, CA (2026)
Modesto, California has a population of about 218,614. The city’s median household income is $77,899 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 60 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Modesto, with tuition ranging from $1,168 to $14,810 per year for indexed programs. In the Modesto, CA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $175,400 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Modesto
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 60 schools in our directory that offer engineering programs near Modesto. Distances are calculated from Modesto city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 29.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA | 30.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Merced College | Merced, CA | 35.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of California-Merced | Merced, CA | 36.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Columbia College | Sonora, CA | 43.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Las Positas College | Livermore, CA | 43.9 mi | $1,168 - $14,810 | – |
| Evergreen Valley College | San Jose, CA | 47.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ohlone College | Fremont, CA | 50.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Francisco Bay University | Fremont, CA | 51.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Modesto
Modesto is part of the Modesto, CA metro area (BLS area code 33700). 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 | $103,040 | Modesto, CA | $98,982 |
| Electrical Engineer | $112,320 | Modesto, CA | $107,896 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,090 | Modesto, CA | $95,187 |
| Chemical Engineer | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,860 | CA statewide | $138,194 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $125,700 | CA statewide | $120,749 |
| Environmental Engineer | $127,660 | CA statewide | $122,632 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $175,400 | Modesto, CA | $168,492 |
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.
Modesto at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $77,899 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Stanislaus County | 1,205 workers, 127 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Modesto-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Ceres, CA – 3.6 mi away (48,278 pop)
- Riverbank, CA – 7.1 mi away (24,389 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 12.1 mi away (106,100 pop)
- Oakdale, CA – 12.2 mi away (22,564 pop)
- Patterson, CA – 13.7 mi away (22,169 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering schools are near Modesto, CA?
Our directory has 60 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Modesto. The closest is Modesto Junior College in Modesto, CA (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is San Francisco Bay University (51.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Modesto?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Modesto are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($175,400), Aerospace Engineer ($143,860), Environmental Engineer ($127,660). 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 Ceres instead of Modesto?
Ceres, CA is 3.6 miles from Modesto 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 Modesto an affordable place to study engineering?
Modesto’s median household income of $77,899 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Modesto 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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