Best Online Engineering Programs in Lafayette, CO (2026)
Lafayette, Colorado has a population of about 30,471. The city’s median household income is $110,431 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 65.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Lafayette, with tuition ranging from $16,430 to $44,376 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 Lafayette
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Lafayette city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Range Community College | Westminster, CO | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 8.9 mi | $16,430 - $41,943 | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 17.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver, CO | 18.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 18.9 mi | $21,186 - $44,376 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Lafayette
Lafayette 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.
Lafayette at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,471 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $110,431 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 65.6% | 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 Lafayette-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Louisville, CO – 2.9 mi away (20,801 pop)
- Broomfield, CO – 3.7 mi away (66,529 pop)
- Erie, CO – 4.3 mi away (22,803 pop)
- Westminster, CO – 7.9 mi away (113,875 pop)
- Boulder, CO – 8.3 mi away (127,190 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Lafayette, CO?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Lafayette. The closest is Front Range Community College in Westminster, CO (7.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Colorado School of Mines (18.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Lafayette?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Lafayette 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 Louisville instead of Lafayette?
Louisville, CO is 2.9 miles from Lafayette 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 Lafayette an affordable place to study engineering?
Lafayette’s median household income of $110,431 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lafayette 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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