Best Online Engineering Programs in Arvada, CO (2026)
Arvada, Colorado has a population of about 122,835. The city’s median household income is $113,396 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Arvada, with tuition ranging from $21,186 to $44,376 per year. In the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $177,340 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Arvada
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Arvada city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 7.6 mi | $21,186 - $44,376 | – |
| Front Range Community College | Westminster, CO | 7.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood, CO | 8.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 9.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver, CO | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Arvada
Arvada is part of the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area (BLS area code 19740). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Colorado statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | N/A | CO statewide | – |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,570 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $104,509 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,530 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $104,471 |
| Chemical Engineer | $140,900 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $133,176 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $151,800 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $143,478 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $106,690 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $100,841 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,850 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $99,102 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $177,340 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $167,618 |
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.
Arvada at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $113,396 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Jefferson County | 7,877 workers, 1,052 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Arvada-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Wheat Ridge, CO – 4.8 mi away (31,372 pop)
- Westminster, CO – 5.9 mi away (113,875 pop)
- Golden, CO – 7.1 mi away (20,696 pop)
- Lakewood, CO – 9.5 mi away (154,393 pop)
- Louisville, CO – 9.6 mi away (20,801 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Arvada, CO?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Arvada. The closest is Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO (7.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Emily Griffith Technical College (10.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Arvada?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Arvada are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($177,340), Aerospace Engineer ($151,800), Chemical Engineer ($140,900). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Colorado statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Wheat Ridge instead of Arvada?
Wheat Ridge, CO is 4.8 miles from Arvada 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 Arvada an affordable place to study engineering?
Arvada’s median household income of $113,396 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Arvada while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Colorado 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 Colorado (2026)
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in Colorado (2026)