Best Online Engineering Programs in Lake City, FL (2026)
Lake City, Florida has a population of about 12,404. The city’s median household income is $51,175 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Lake City, with tuition ranging from $2,563 to $14,353 per year. In Florida, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $167,680 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Lake City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Lake City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Riveroak Technical College | Live Oak, FL | 21.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Florida Technical College | Starke, FL | 35.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL | 37.4 mi | $2,563 - $14,353 | – |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 41.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Lake City
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Florida, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,810 |
| Electrical Engineer | $108,450 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,190 |
| Chemical Engineer | $104,000 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $127,680 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $99,980 |
| Environmental Engineer | $89,850 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $167,680 |
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.
Lake City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,404 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,175 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Engineering-related employment in Columbia County | 265 workers, 26 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lake City-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Gainesville, FL – 39.5 mi away (198,702 pop)
- Jacksonville, FL – 58.8 mi away (1,141,459 pop)
- Valdosta, GA – 59.2 mi away (79,844 pop)
- Palatka, FL – 69.8 mi away (23,740 pop)
- Waycross, GA – 72.7 mi away (24,741 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Lake City, FL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Lake City. The closest is Florida Gateway College in Lake City, FL (3.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Florida (41.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles in Florida?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles in Florida are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($167,680), Aerospace Engineer ($127,680), Electrical Engineer ($108,450). Wages for Lake City workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Gainesville instead of Lake City?
Gainesville, FL is 39.5 miles from Lake City 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 Lake City an affordable place to study engineering?
Lake City’s median household income of $51,175 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lake City while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Florida 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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