Best Online Engineering Programs in Alton, IL (2026)
Alton, Illinois has a population of about 25,430. The city’s median household income is $53,005 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Alton, with tuition ranging from $3,660 to $83,476 per year. In the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $155,100 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Alton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Alton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis and Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | 3.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL | 11.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ranken Technical College | Saint Louis, MO | 18.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Louis Community College | Bridgeton, MO | 18.8 mi | $3,660 - $12,053 | – |
| Washington University in St Louis | Saint Louis, MO | 19.4 mi | $62,982 - $83,476 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Alton
Alton is part of the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area (BLS area code 41180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Illinois statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,930 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $102,976 |
| Electrical Engineer | $113,310 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $119,148 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $86,390 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $90,841 |
| Chemical Engineer | $127,100 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $133,649 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $116,600 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $122,608 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $79,190 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $83,270 |
| Environmental Engineer | $101,580 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $106,814 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $155,100 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $163,091 |
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.
Alton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,430 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,005 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Madison County | 1,030 workers, 78 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Alton-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Edwardsville, IL – 11.7 mi away (25,071 pop)
- Florissant, MO – 11.8 mi away (51,776 pop)
- Granite City, IL – 12.1 mi away (28,908 pop)
- Ferguson, MO – 13.1 mi away (20,846 pop)
- Hazelwood, MO – 14.9 mi away (25,443 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Alton, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Alton. The closest is Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, IL (3.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Washington University in St Louis (19.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Alton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Alton are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($155,100), Chemical Engineer ($127,100), Aerospace Engineer ($116,600). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Illinois statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Edwardsville instead of Alton?
Edwardsville, IL is 11.7 miles from Alton 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 Alton an affordable place to study engineering?
Alton’s median household income of $53,005 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Alton while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Illinois 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 Illinois (2026)
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in Illinois (2026)