Best Online Engineering Programs in Belvidere, IL (2026)
Belvidere, Illinois has a population of about 24,510. The city’s median household income is $62,462 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 13.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Belvidere. In the Rockford, IL metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $133,820 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Belvidere
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Belvidere city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | 7.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | 21.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | 28.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville, WI | 30.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 32.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Belvidere
Belvidere is part of the Rockford, IL metro area (BLS area code 40420). 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 | $84,530 | Rockford, IL | $91,681 |
| Electrical Engineer | $93,330 | Rockford, IL | $101,226 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $92,840 | Rockford, IL | $100,694 |
| Chemical Engineer | $120,360 | IL statewide | $130,542 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,540 | IL statewide | $132,907 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $83,730 | IL statewide | $90,813 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,550 | IL statewide | $116,649 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $133,820 | Rockford, IL | $145,141 |
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.
Belvidere at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,462 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 13.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Belvidere-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Loves Park, IL – 8.8 mi away (23,413 pop)
- Rockford, IL – 10.2 mi away (286,727 pop)
- Machesney Park, IL – 11.3 mi away (22,873 pop)
- Beloit, WI – 20.1 mi away (63,470 pop)
- Woodstock, IL – 22.3 mi away (25,628 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Belvidere, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Belvidere. The closest is Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL (7.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Elgin Community College (32.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Belvidere?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Belvidere are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($133,820), Aerospace Engineer ($122,540), Chemical Engineer ($120,360). 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 Loves Park instead of Belvidere?
Loves Park, IL is 8.8 miles from Belvidere 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 Belvidere an affordable place to study engineering?
Belvidere’s median household income of $62,462 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Belvidere 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
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