Best Online Engineering Programs in Lansing, IL (2026)
Lansing, Illinois has a population of about 28,415. The city’s median household income is $71,805 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Lansing, with tuition ranging from $5,093 to $16,287 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 Lansing
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Lansing city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 3.9 mi | $8,419 - $16,287 | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 5.4 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 5.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College | Chicago, IL | 16.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills, IL | 17.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Lansing
Lansing 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.
Lansing at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,415 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,805 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.7% | 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 Lansing-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Munster, IN – 2.5 mi away (22,825 pop)
- Calumet City, IL – 3.4 mi away (36,732 pop)
- South Holland, IL – 3.7 mi away (21,817 pop)
- Hammond, IN – 4.6 mi away (77,134 pop)
- Highland, IN – 4.6 mi away (22,737 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Lansing, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Lansing. The closest is Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, IN (3.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Moraine Valley Community College (17.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Lansing?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Lansing 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 Munster instead of Lansing?
Munster, IN is 2.5 miles from Lansing 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 Lansing an affordable place to study engineering?
Lansing’s median household income of $71,805 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lansing 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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