Best Online Engineering Programs in South Lake Tahoe, CA (2026)
South Lake Tahoe, California has a population of about 21,319. The city’s median household income is $73,940 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of South Lake Tahoe. In the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $189,270 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to South Lake Tahoe
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from South Lake Tahoe city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Tahoe Community College | South Lake Tahoe, CA | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Nevada College | Carson City, NV | 19.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Nevada-Reno | Reno, NV | 42.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Truckee Meadows Community College | Reno, NV | 44.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Folsom Lake College | Folsom, CA | 64.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe is part of the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area (BLS area code 40900). 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 | $130,310 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,127 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,730 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,521 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $116,370 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $109,063 |
| Chemical Engineer | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Aerospace Engineer | $145,860 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $136,701 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $108,120 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $101,331 |
| Environmental Engineer | $130,830 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,615 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $189,270 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $177,385 |
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 Lake Tahoe at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,319 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $73,940 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 106.7 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in El Dorado County | 743 workers, 141 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other South Lake Tahoe-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Carson City, NV – 19.3 mi away (57,522 pop)
- Reno, NV – 42.7 mi away (427,007 pop)
- Sparks, NV – 46.1 mi away (98,345 pop)
- Placerville, CA – 46.2 mi away (30,531 pop)
- Grass Valley, CA – 60.8 mi away (34,508 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near South Lake Tahoe, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of South Lake Tahoe. The closest is Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe, CA (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Folsom Lake College (64.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near South Lake Tahoe?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near South Lake Tahoe are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($189,270), Aerospace Engineer ($145,860), Environmental Engineer ($130,830). 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 Carson City instead of South Lake Tahoe?
Carson City, NV is 19.3 miles from South Lake Tahoe 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 Lake Tahoe an affordable place to study engineering?
South Lake Tahoe’s median household income of $73,940 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in South Lake Tahoe 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
Back to Best Online Engineering Programs in California (2026)
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in California (2026)