Best Online Engineering Programs in Aurora, CO (2026)
Aurora, Colorado has a population of about 390,201. The city’s median household income is $84,320 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Aurora, with tuition ranging from $4,308 to $16,542 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 Aurora
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Aurora city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pickens Technical College | Aurora, CO | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln College of Technology-Denver | Denver, CO | 8.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver, CO | 14.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 15.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arapahoe Community College | Littleton, CO | 17.0 mi | $4,308 - $16,542 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Aurora
Aurora 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.
Aurora at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $84,320 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Adams County | 2,313 workers, 282 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Aurora-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Denver, CO – 8.7 mi away (2,741,534 pop)
- Centennial, CO – 10.9 mi away (109,932 pop)
- Commerce City, CO – 12.4 mi away (54,869 pop)
- Parker, CO – 14.1 mi away (51,163 pop)
- Englewood, CO – 14.8 mi away (34,050 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Aurora, CO?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Aurora. The closest is Pickens Technical College in Aurora, CO (3.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Arapahoe Community College (17.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Aurora?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Aurora 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 Denver instead of Aurora?
Denver, CO is 8.7 miles from Aurora 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 Aurora an affordable place to study engineering?
Aurora’s median household income of $84,320 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Aurora 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
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