Best Online Engineering Programs in Thousand Oaks, CA (2026)
Thousand Oaks, California has a population of about 125,676. The city’s median household income is $134,367 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Thousand Oaks, with tuition ranging from $7,095 to $20,317 per year. In the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $169,770 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Thousand Oaks
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Thousand Oaks city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moorpark College | Moorpark, CA | 7.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oxnard College | Oxnard, CA | 16.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Northridge | Northridge, CA | 20.3 mi | $7,095 - $20,317 | – |
| Ventura College | Ventura, CA | 21.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita, CA | 23.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks is part of the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area (BLS area code 37100). 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 | $106,420 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $96,308 |
| Electrical Engineer | $126,820 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $114,769 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,300 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $99,819 |
| Chemical Engineer | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,750 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $116,516 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $125,380 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $113,466 |
| Environmental Engineer | $134,700 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $121,900 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $169,770 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $153,638 |
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.
Thousand Oaks at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $134,367 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 110.5 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Ventura County | 4,031 workers, 564 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Thousand Oaks-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Moorpark, CA – 6.5 mi away (36,481 pop)
- Agoura Hills, CA – 7.1 mi away (20,745 pop)
- Simi Valley, CA – 8.9 mi away (127,308 pop)
- Camarillo, CA – 9.2 mi away (74,152 pop)
- Calabasas, CA – 12.4 mi away (24,176 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Thousand Oaks, CA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Thousand Oaks. The closest is Moorpark College in Moorpark, CA (7.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of the Canyons (23.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Thousand Oaks?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Thousand Oaks are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($169,770), Environmental Engineer ($134,700), Aerospace Engineer ($128,750). 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 Moorpark instead of Thousand Oaks?
Moorpark, CA is 6.5 miles from Thousand Oaks 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 Thousand Oaks an affordable place to study engineering?
Thousand Oaks’s median household income of $134,367 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Thousand Oaks 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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