Best Online Engineering Programs in Kankakee, IL (2026)
Kankakee, Illinois has a population of about 24,384. The city’s median household income is $45,119 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 12.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Kankakee, with tuition ranging from $5,093 to $16,287 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 Kankakee
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Kankakee city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kankakee Community College | Kankakee, IL | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | 30.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 31.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 38.2 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 38.8 mi | $8,419 - $16,287 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Kankakee
Kankakee is part of the Kankakee, IL metro area (BLS area code 28100). 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 | $97,640 | IL statewide | $101,286 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,000 | IL statewide | $107,884 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $92,050 | Kankakee, IL | $95,488 |
| Chemical Engineer | $120,360 | IL statewide | $124,855 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,540 | IL statewide | $127,116 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $83,730 | IL statewide | $86,857 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,550 | IL statewide | $111,566 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $157,480 | IL statewide | $163,361 |
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.
Kankakee at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,384 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,119 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 12.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Kankakee County | 106 workers, 20 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Kankakee-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Braidwood, IL – 22.0 mi away (22,563 pop)
- Park Forest, IL – 27.8 mi away (21,785 pop)
- New Lenox, IL – 28.6 mi away (26,217 pop)
- Mokena, IL – 29.8 mi away (20,097 pop)
- Chicago Heights, IL – 30.6 mi away (30,026 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Kankakee, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Kankakee. The closest is Kankakee Community College in Kankakee, IL (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Purdue University Northwest (38.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Kankakee?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Kankakee are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($157,480), 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 Braidwood instead of Kankakee?
Braidwood, IL is 22.0 miles from Kankakee 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 Kankakee an affordable place to study engineering?
Kankakee’s median household income of $45,119 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Kankakee 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)
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