Best Online Engineering Programs in South Pasadena, CA (2026)
South Pasadena, California has a population of about 26,297. The city’s median household income is $128,105 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 72.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of South Pasadena, with tuition ranging from $1,180 to $18,698 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 Pasadena
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from South Pasadena city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 3.1 mi | $6,813 - $18,698 | – |
| Pasadena City College | Pasadena, CA | 3.2 mi | $1,180 - $12,166 | – |
| Art Center College of Design | Pasadena, CA | 4.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale, CA | 5.6 mi | $1,181 - $15,802 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near South Pasadena
South Pasadena 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 Pasadena at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,297 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $128,105 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 72.7% | 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 Pasadena-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Alhambra, CA – 2.2 mi away (85,474 pop)
- San Gabriel, CA – 3.5 mi away (40,404 pop)
- Pasadena, CA – 3.6 mi away (142,059 pop)
- Monterey Park, CA – 4.4 mi away (61,075 pop)
- Rosemead, CA – 5.2 mi away (54,500 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near South Pasadena, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of South Pasadena. The closest is California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Glendale Community College (5.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near South Pasadena?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near South Pasadena 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 Alhambra instead of South Pasadena?
Alhambra, CA is 2.2 miles from South Pasadena 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 Pasadena an affordable place to study engineering?
South Pasadena’s median household income of $128,105 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in South Pasadena 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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