Best Online Engineering Programs in Hoffman Estates, IL (2026)
Hoffman Estates, Illinois has a population of about 51,186. The city’s median household income is $109,683 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Hoffman Estates, with tuition ranging from $3,822 to $12,833 per year. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $159,110 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Hoffman Estates
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Hoffman Estates city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 4.1 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | 13.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | 14.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | 15.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Hoffman Estates
Hoffman Estates is part of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area (BLS area code 16980). 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 | $100,280 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $96,795 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,010 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $105,222 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,390 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $96,902 |
| Chemical Engineer | $119,490 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $115,338 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $125,520 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $121,158 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $96,320 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $92,973 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,550 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $103,813 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $159,110 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $153,581 |
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.
Hoffman Estates at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,186 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $109,683 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Cook County | 28,825 workers, 2,790 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hoffman Estates-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Streamwood, IL – 3.4 mi away (40,166 pop)
- Schaumburg, IL – 3.9 mi away (74,446 pop)
- Hanover Park, IL – 5.7 mi away (38,044 pop)
- Rolling Meadows, IL – 6.3 mi away (24,021 pop)
- Palatine, IL – 6.5 mi away (68,766 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Hoffman Estates, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Hoffman Estates. The closest is William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, IL (4.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of DuPage (15.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Hoffman Estates?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Hoffman Estates are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($159,110), Aerospace Engineer ($125,520), Chemical Engineer ($119,490). 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 Streamwood instead of Hoffman Estates?
Streamwood, IL is 3.4 miles from Hoffman Estates 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 Hoffman Estates an affordable place to study engineering?
Hoffman Estates’s median household income of $109,683 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hoffman Estates 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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