Best Online Engineering Programs in Monterey, CA (2026)
Monterey, California has a population of about 29,772. The city’s median household income is $104,110 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 54.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Monterey, with tuition ranging from $1,404 to $12,050 per year. In the Salinas, CA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $166,430 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Monterey
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Monterey city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Postgraduate School | Monterey, CA | 0.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hartnell College | Salinas, CA | 13.0 mi | $1,404 - $12,050 | – |
| Cabrillo College | Aptos, CA | 27.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gavilan College | Gilroy, CA | 31.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Jose City College | San Jose, CA | 50.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Monterey
Monterey is part of the Salinas, CA metro area (BLS area code 41500). 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 | $112,510 | Salinas, CA | $103,220 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,770 | Salinas, CA | $100,706 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $141,420 | Salinas, CA | $129,743 |
| Chemical Engineer | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,860 | CA statewide | $131,982 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $125,700 | CA statewide | $115,321 |
| Environmental Engineer | $124,180 | Salinas, CA | $113,927 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $166,430 | Salinas, CA | $152,688 |
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.
Monterey at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,772 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $104,110 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 54.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 109.0 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Monterey County | 772 workers, 169 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Monterey-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Seaside, CA – 4.0 mi away (118,670 pop)
- Marina, CA – 8.0 mi away (21,688 pop)
- Salinas, CA – 15.3 mi away (193,126 pop)
- Watsonville, CA – 23.5 mi away (77,266 pop)
- Santa Cruz, CA – 28.0 mi away (176,037 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Monterey, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Monterey. The closest is Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is San Jose City College (50.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Monterey?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Monterey are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($166,430), Aerospace Engineer ($143,860), Mechanical Engineer ($141,420). 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 Seaside instead of Monterey?
Seaside, CA is 4.0 miles from Monterey 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 Monterey an affordable place to study engineering?
Monterey’s median household income of $104,110 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Monterey 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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