Best Online Engineering Programs in Wheat Ridge, CO (2026)
Wheat Ridge, Colorado has a population of about 32,158. The city’s median household income is $87,598 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 44.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Wheat Ridge, 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 Wheat Ridge
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Wheat Ridge city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood, CO | 5.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 5.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver, CO | 6.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 6.9 mi | $21,186 - $44,376 | – |
| Front Range Community College | Westminster, CO | 9.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge 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.
Wheat Ridge at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,158 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $87,598 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 44.4% | 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 Wheat Ridge-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Arvada, CO – 4.8 mi away (117,453 pop)
- Lakewood, CO – 5.2 mi away (154,393 pop)
- Golden, CO – 6.2 mi away (20,696 pop)
- Westminster, CO – 8.0 mi away (113,875 pop)
- Englewood, CO – 10.4 mi away (34,050 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Wheat Ridge, CO?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Wheat Ridge. The closest is Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, CO (5.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Front Range Community College (9.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Wheat Ridge?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Wheat Ridge 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 Arvada instead of Wheat Ridge?
Arvada, CO is 4.8 miles from Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge an affordable place to study engineering?
Wheat Ridge’s median household income of $87,598 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wheat Ridge 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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