Best Online Engineering Programs in Lakewood, CO (2026)
Lakewood, Colorado has a population of about 156,309. The city’s median household income is $85,789 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 45.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Lakewood, with tuition ranging from $4,308 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 Lakewood
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Lakewood city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood, CO | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 6.4 mi | $21,186 - $44,376 | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 6.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver, CO | 7.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arapahoe Community College | Littleton, CO | 8.1 mi | $4,308 - $16,542 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Lakewood
Lakewood 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.
Lakewood at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $85,789 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 45.3% | 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 Lakewood-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Wheat Ridge, CO – 5.2 mi away (31,372 pop)
- Golden, CO – 5.9 mi away (20,696 pop)
- Englewood, CO – 7.4 mi away (34,050 pop)
- Littleton, CO – 9.0 mi away (46,333 pop)
- Arvada, CO – 9.5 mi away (117,453 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Lakewood, CO?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Lakewood. The closest is Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, CO (2.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Arapahoe Community College (8.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Lakewood?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Lakewood 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 Lakewood?
Wheat Ridge, CO is 5.2 miles from Lakewood 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 Lakewood an affordable place to study engineering?
Lakewood’s median household income of $85,789 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lakewood 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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