Best Online Engineering Programs in Charleston, IL (2026)
Charleston, Illinois has a population of about 17,212. The city’s median household income is $49,057 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Charleston, with tuition ranging from $4,390 to $34,501 per year. In Illinois, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $157,480 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Charleston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Charleston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston, IL | 0.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | 12.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN | 41.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Trail College | Robinson, IL | 41.4 mi | $4,390 - $17,091 | – |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 43.2 mi | $16,004 - $34,501 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Charleston
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Illinois, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,640 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,730 |
| Chemical Engineer | $120,360 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,540 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $83,730 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,550 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $157,480 |
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.
Charleston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,212 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $49,057 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Engineering-related employment in Coles County | 59 workers, 9 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Charleston-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Terre Haute, IN – 42.8 mi away (92,841 pop)
- Urbana, IL – 43.3 mi away (42,014 pop)
- Champaign, IL – 43.8 mi away (155,368 pop)
- Decatur, IL – 47.7 mi away (89,653 pop)
- Danville, IL – 54.5 mi away (48,785 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Charleston, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Charleston. The closest is Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL (0.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (43.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles in Illinois?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles in Illinois are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($157,480), Aerospace Engineer ($122,540), Chemical Engineer ($120,360). Wages for Charleston workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Terre Haute instead of Charleston?
Terre Haute, IN is 42.8 miles from Charleston 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 Charleston an affordable place to study engineering?
Charleston’s median household income of $49,057 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Charleston 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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