Best Online Engineering Programs in Loves Park, IL (2026)
Loves Park, Illinois has a population of about 23,185. The city’s median household income is $58,633 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 24.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Loves Park, with tuition ranging from $4,696 to $12,397 per year. In the Rockford, IL metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $133,820 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Loves Park
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Loves Park city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville, WI | 24.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | 28.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highland Community College | Freeport, IL | 34.5 mi | $4,696 - $12,397 | – |
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | 35.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Loves Park
Loves Park is part of the Rockford, IL metro area (BLS area code 40420). 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 | $84,530 | Rockford, IL | $91,681 |
| Electrical Engineer | $93,330 | Rockford, IL | $101,226 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $92,840 | Rockford, IL | $100,694 |
| Chemical Engineer | $120,360 | IL statewide | $130,542 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,540 | IL statewide | $132,907 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $83,730 | IL statewide | $90,813 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,550 | IL statewide | $116,649 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $133,820 | Rockford, IL | $145,141 |
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.
Loves Park at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,185 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $58,633 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 24.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Winnebago County | 504 workers, 73 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Loves Park-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Machesney Park, IL – 2.6 mi away (22,873 pop)
- Rockford, IL – 6.3 mi away (286,727 pop)
- Belvidere, IL – 8.8 mi away (25,070 pop)
- Beloit, WI – 12.9 mi away (63,470 pop)
- Janesville, WI – 24.1 mi away (70,299 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Loves Park, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Loves Park. The closest is Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is McHenry County College (35.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Loves Park?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Loves Park are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($133,820), 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 Machesney Park instead of Loves Park?
Machesney Park, IL is 2.6 miles from Loves Park 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 Loves Park an affordable place to study engineering?
Loves Park’s median household income of $58,633 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Loves Park 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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