Best Online Engineering Programs in Paradise, CA (2026)
Paradise, California has a population of about 211. The city’s median household income is $106,250 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 54.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Paradise, with tuition ranging from $1,128 to $25,590 per year. In the Chico, CA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $175,290 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Paradise
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Paradise city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butte College | Oroville, CA | 7.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Chico | Chico, CA | 13.0 mi | $8,064 - $25,590 | – |
| Yuba College | Marysville, CA | 42.2 mi | $1,128 - $12,200 | – |
| Sierra College | Rocklin, CA | 69.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shasta College | Redding, CA | 70.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Paradise
Paradise is part of the Chico, CA metro area (BLS area code 17020). 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 | $94,580 | Chico, CA | $93,458 |
| Electrical Engineer | $140,360 | CA statewide | $138,696 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $122,370 | Chico, CA | $120,919 |
| Chemical Engineer | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,860 | CA statewide | $142,154 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $125,700 | CA statewide | $124,209 |
| Environmental Engineer | $127,660 | CA statewide | $126,146 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $175,290 | Chico, CA | $173,211 |
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.
Paradise at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $106,250 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 54.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Butte County | 454 workers, 67 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Paradise-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Chico, CA – 11.1 mi away (104,302 pop)
- Oroville, CA – 17.8 mi away (45,445 pop)
- Yuba City, CA – 42.9 mi away (120,159 pop)
- Grass Valley, CA – 47.1 mi away (34,508 pop)
- Lincoln, CA – 63.1 mi away (47,030 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Paradise, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Paradise. The closest is Butte College in Oroville, CA (7.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Shasta College (70.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Paradise?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Paradise are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($175,290), 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 Chico instead of Paradise?
Chico, CA is 11.1 miles from Paradise 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 Paradise an affordable place to study engineering?
Paradise’s median household income of $106,250 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Paradise 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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