Best Online Engineering Programs in Washington, DC (2026)
Washington, District of Columbia has a population of about 672,079. The city’s median household income is $106,287 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 63.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Washington, with tuition ranging from $6,152 to $80,727 per year. In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $180,360 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Washington
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Washington city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 0.7 mi | $64,990 - $80,727 | – |
| The Catholic University of America | Washington, DC | 3.4 mi | $55,834 - $73,198 | – |
| DeVry University-Virginia | Arlington, VA | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of the District of Columbia | Washington, DC | 3.7 mi | $6,152 - $20,911 | – |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale, VA | 12.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all District of Columbia schools on the District of Columbia engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Washington
Washington is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area (BLS area code 47900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to District of Columbia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,370 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,167 |
| Electrical Engineer | $136,820 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $125,638 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $121,060 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $111,166 |
| Chemical Engineer | $129,040 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $118,494 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,980 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $145,069 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $108,310 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,458 |
| Environmental Engineer | $125,240 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $115,005 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $180,360 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $165,620 |
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.
Washington at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $106,287 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 63.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in District of Columbia County | 9,105 workers, 1,116 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Washington-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Alexandria, VA – 7.0 mi away (155,810 pop)
- College Park, MD – 7.7 mi away (32,275 pop)
- Greenbelt, MD – 9.3 mi away (23,909 pop)
- Rockville, MD – 14.4 mi away (66,940 pop)
- Bowie, MD – 15.2 mi away (58,393 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Washington, DC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Washington. The closest is George Washington University in Washington, DC (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northern Virginia Community College (12.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Washington?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Washington are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($180,360), Aerospace Engineer ($157,980), Electrical Engineer ($136,820). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with District of Columbia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Alexandria instead of Washington?
Alexandria, VA is 7.0 miles from Washington 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 Washington an affordable place to study engineering?
Washington’s median household income of $106,287 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Washington while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and District of Columbia 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
- Online Engineering Programs in District of Columbia
- Main Engineering Degree Guide
- Engineering Programs by State
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