Best Online Engineering Programs in Decatur, IL (2026)
Decatur, Illinois has a population of about 70,368. The city’s median household income is $50,809 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Decatur, with tuition ranging from $16,004 to $34,501 per year. In the Decatur, IL metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $140,970 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Decatur
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Decatur city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | 3.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois | Springfield, IL | 35.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | 37.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Parkland College | Champaign, IL | 39.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 41.2 mi | $16,004 - $34,501 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Decatur
Decatur is part of the Decatur, IL metro area (BLS area code 19500). 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 | $88,070 | Decatur, IL | $99,627 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,390 | Decatur, IL | $113,563 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,100 | Decatur, IL | $113,235 |
| Chemical Engineer | $120,360 | IL statewide | $136,154 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,540 | IL statewide | $138,620 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $83,730 | IL statewide | $94,717 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,550 | IL statewide | $121,663 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $140,970 | Decatur, IL | $159,468 |
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.
Decatur at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,368 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,809 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Macon County | 269 workers, 27 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Decatur-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Springfield, IL – 38.7 mi away (160,570 pop)
- Champaign, IL – 39.3 mi away (155,368 pop)
- Urbana, IL – 42.8 mi away (42,014 pop)
- Bloomington, IL – 42.9 mi away (135,015 pop)
- Normal, IL – 46.1 mi away (54,264 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Decatur, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Decatur. The closest is Richland Community College in Decatur, IL (3.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (41.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Decatur?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Decatur are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($140,970), 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 Springfield instead of Decatur?
Springfield, IL is 38.7 miles from Decatur 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 Decatur an affordable place to study engineering?
Decatur’s median household income of $50,809 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Decatur 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)