Best Online Engineering Programs in Patterson, CA (2026)
Patterson, California has a population of about 24,306. The city’s median household income is $93,542 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Patterson, with tuition ranging from $1,168 to $14,810 per year. 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 Patterson
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Patterson city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 14.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA | 37.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Merced College | Merced, CA | 38.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Las Positas College | Livermore, CA | 39.4 mi | $1,168 - $14,810 | – |
| University of California-Merced | Merced, CA | 40.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Patterson
Patterson 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.
Patterson at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,306 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $93,542 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.2% | 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 Patterson-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Ceres, CA – 13.0 mi away (48,278 pop)
- Modesto, CA – 13.7 mi away (377,755 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 15.8 mi away (106,100 pop)
- Riverbank, CA – 20.8 mi away (24,389 pop)
- Manteca, CA – 22.6 mi away (95,797 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Patterson, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Patterson. The closest is Modesto Junior College in Modesto, CA (14.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of California-Merced (40.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Patterson?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Patterson 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 Patterson?
Ceres, CA is 13.0 miles from Patterson 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 Patterson an affordable place to study engineering?
Patterson’s median household income of $93,542 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Patterson 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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