Best Online Engineering Programs in Sonoma, CA (2026)
Sonoma, California has a population of about 10,726. The city’s median household income is $101,281 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 47.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Sonoma. In the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $177,100 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Sonoma
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Sonoma city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa Valley College | Napa, CA | 10.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA | 18.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Solano Community College | Fairfield, CA | 18.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University Maritime Academy | Vallejo, CA | 19.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill, CA | 30.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Sonoma
Sonoma is part of the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area (BLS area code 42220). 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 | $115,970 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $107,579 |
| Electrical Engineer | $126,930 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $117,746 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $112,310 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $104,184 |
| Chemical Engineer | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,860 | CA statewide | $133,451 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $125,700 | CA statewide | $116,605 |
| Environmental Engineer | $123,960 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $114,991 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $177,100 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $164,286 |
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.
Sonoma at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,726 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $101,281 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 47.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 107.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Sonoma County | 2,203 workers, 366 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Sonoma-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Napa, CA – 8.6 mi away (87,733 pop)
- Petaluma, CA – 9.6 mi away (66,940 pop)
- American Canyon, CA – 13.3 mi away (20,452 pop)
- Rohnert Park, CA – 13.4 mi away (42,622 pop)
- Novato, CA – 14.7 mi away (56,004 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Sonoma, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Sonoma. The closest is Napa Valley College in Napa, CA (10.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Diablo Valley College (30.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Sonoma?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Sonoma are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($177,100), Aerospace Engineer ($143,860), Electrical Engineer ($126,930). 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 Napa instead of Sonoma?
Napa, CA is 8.6 miles from Sonoma 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 Sonoma an affordable place to study engineering?
Sonoma’s median household income of $101,281 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sonoma 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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