Best Online Engineering Programs in Erie, CO (2026)
Erie, Colorado has a population of about 31,927. The city’s median household income is $163,644 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 66.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Erie, with tuition ranging from $16,430 to $41,943 per year. In the Boulder, CO metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $195,790 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Erie
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Erie city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Range Community College | Westminster, CO | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 12.1 mi | $16,430 - $41,943 | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 20.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver, CO | 20.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln College of Technology-Denver | Denver, CO | 20.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Erie
Erie is part of the Boulder, CO metro area (BLS area code 14500). 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 | $102,990 | Boulder, CO | $97,899 |
| Electrical Engineer | $127,670 | Boulder, CO | $121,359 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,650 | Boulder, CO | $105,181 |
| Chemical Engineer | $113,240 | Boulder, CO | $107,643 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,210 | Boulder, CO | $136,131 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $113,390 | Boulder, CO | $107,785 |
| Environmental Engineer | $98,170 | CO statewide | $93,317 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $195,790 | Boulder, CO | $186,112 |
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.
Erie at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,927 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $163,644 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 66.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Boulder County | 5,482 workers, 781 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Erie-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Lafayette, CO – 4.3 mi away (91,767 pop)
- Broomfield, CO – 5.9 mi away (66,529 pop)
- Louisville, CO – 7.2 mi away (20,801 pop)
- Firestone, CO – 9.2 mi away (27,332 pop)
- Northglenn, CO – 9.4 mi away (38,982 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Erie, CO?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Erie. The closest is Front Range Community College in Westminster, CO (9.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lincoln College of Technology-Denver (20.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Erie?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Erie are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($195,790), Aerospace Engineer ($143,210), Electrical Engineer ($127,670). 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 Lafayette instead of Erie?
Lafayette, CO is 4.3 miles from Erie 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 Erie an affordable place to study engineering?
Erie’s median household income of $163,644 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Erie 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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