Best Online Engineering Programs in Melrose Park, IL (2026)
Melrose Park, Illinois has a population of about 24,513. The city’s median household income is $64,740 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Melrose Park, with tuition ranging from $4,920 to $29,360 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 Melrose Park
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Melrose Park city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triton College | River Grove, IL | 1.4 mi | $4,920 - $14,880 | – |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL | 5.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | 11.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | 11.1 mi | $14,338 - $29,360 | – |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | 11.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Melrose Park
Melrose Park 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.
Melrose Park at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,513 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,740 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.7% | 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 Melrose Park-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Maywood, IL – 1.9 mi away (23,756 pop)
- Elmwood Park, IL – 2.8 mi away (24,626 pop)
- Oak Park, IL – 4.0 mi away (51,774 pop)
- Elmhurst, IL – 4.1 mi away (46,387 pop)
- Berwyn, IL – 5.6 mi away (55,748 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Melrose Park, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Melrose Park. The closest is Triton College in River Grove, IL (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of DuPage (11.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Melrose Park?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Melrose Park 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 Maywood instead of Melrose Park?
Maywood, IL is 1.9 miles from Melrose 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 Melrose Park an affordable place to study engineering?
Melrose Park’s median household income of $64,740 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Melrose 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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