Best Online Engineering Programs in South El Monte, CA (2026)
South El Monte, California has a population of about 19,413. The city’s median household income is $67,153 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 10.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of South El Monte, with tuition ranging from $1,180 to $19,308 per year. In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $181,400 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to South El Monte
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from South El Monte city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Hondo College | Whittier, CA | 2.2 mi | $1,388 - $19,308 | – |
| Hacienda La Puente Adult Education | La Puente, CA | 3.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 6.9 mi | $6,813 - $18,698 | – |
| California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pasadena City College | Pasadena, CA | 7.7 mi | $1,180 - $12,166 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near South El Monte
South El Monte is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area (BLS area code 31080). 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 | $105,290 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $92,685 |
| Electrical Engineer | $134,900 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $118,750 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $114,290 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,607 |
| Chemical Engineer | $122,950 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $108,231 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,860 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $126,637 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $115,020 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $101,250 |
| Environmental Engineer | $119,780 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,440 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $181,400 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $159,683 |
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.
South El Monte at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,413 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,153 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 10.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 113.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Los Angeles County | 46,423 workers, 7,228 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other South El Monte-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- El Monte, CA – 2.0 mi away (115,807 pop)
- Rosemead, CA – 2.4 mi away (54,500 pop)
- Temple City, CA – 3.7 mi away (36,365 pop)
- Montebello, CA – 4.3 mi away (63,335 pop)
- San Gabriel, CA – 4.3 mi away (40,404 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near South El Monte, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of South El Monte. The closest is Rio Hondo College in Whittier, CA (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Pasadena City College (7.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near South El Monte?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near South El Monte are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($181,400), Aerospace Engineer ($143,860), Electrical Engineer ($134,900). 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 El Monte instead of South El Monte?
El Monte, CA is 2.0 miles from South El Monte 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 South El Monte an affordable place to study engineering?
South El Monte’s median household income of $67,153 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in South El Monte 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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