Best Online Engineering Programs in Ocala, FL (2026)
Ocala, Florida has a population of about 64,903. The city’s median household income is $53,520 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Ocala, with tuition ranging from $2,563 to $14,353 per year. In the Ocala, FL metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $145,310 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Ocala
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Ocala city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Central Florida | Ocala, FL | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Withlacoochee Technical College | Inverness, FL | 26.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 34.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Technical College | Eustis, FL | 36.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL | 38.5 mi | $2,563 - $14,353 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Ocala
Ocala is part of the Ocala, FL metro area (BLS area code 36100). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Florida statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $89,970 | Ocala, FL | $94,506 |
| Electrical Engineer | $106,670 | Ocala, FL | $112,048 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $87,260 | Ocala, FL | $91,660 |
| Chemical Engineer | $104,000 | FL statewide | $109,244 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $127,680 | FL statewide | $134,118 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $99,980 | FL statewide | $105,021 |
| Environmental Engineer | $89,850 | FL statewide | $94,380 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $145,310 | Ocala, FL | $152,637 |
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.
Ocala at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,903 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,520 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Marion County | 677 workers, 145 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Ocala-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Leesburg, FL – 32.3 mi away (146,398 pop)
- Eustis, FL – 36.2 mi away (20,768 pop)
- Gainesville, FL – 36.6 mi away (198,702 pop)
- Palatka, FL – 43.7 mi away (23,740 pop)
- Apopka, FL – 50.0 mi away (49,458 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Ocala, FL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Ocala. The closest is College of Central Florida in Ocala, FL (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Santa Fe College (38.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Ocala?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Ocala are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($145,310), Aerospace Engineer ($127,680), Electrical Engineer ($106,670). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Florida statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Leesburg instead of Ocala?
Leesburg, FL is 32.3 miles from Ocala 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 Ocala an affordable place to study engineering?
Ocala’s median household income of $53,520 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ocala 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
Back to Best Online Engineering Programs in Florida (2026)
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in Florida (2026)