Best Online Engineering Programs in Pekin, IL (2026)
Pekin, Illinois has a population of about 31,812. The city’s median household income is $58,355 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Pekin, with tuition ranging from $4,650 to $17,251 per year. In the Peoria, IL metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $182,390 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Pekin
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Pekin city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 9.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria, IL | 11.2 mi | $4,650 - $17,251 | – |
| Heartland Community College | Normal, IL | 32.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois State University | Normal, IL | 32.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois | Springfield, IL | 50.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Pekin
Pekin is part of the Peoria, IL metro area (BLS area code 37900). 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 | $96,880 | Peoria, IL | $106,228 |
| Electrical Engineer | $85,830 | Peoria, IL | $94,112 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $115,350 | Peoria, IL | $126,480 |
| Chemical Engineer | $108,380 | Peoria, IL | $118,838 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,540 | IL statewide | $134,364 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $83,730 | IL statewide | $91,809 |
| Environmental Engineer | $101,080 | Peoria, IL | $110,833 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $182,390 | Peoria, IL | $199,989 |
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.
Pekin at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,812 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $58,355 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Tazewell County | 630 workers, 27 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Pekin-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- East Peoria, IL – 8.6 mi away (22,939 pop)
- Peoria, IL – 12.7 mi away (265,218 pop)
- Normal, IL – 33.7 mi away (54,264 pop)
- Bloomington, IL – 35.1 mi away (135,015 pop)
- Galesburg, IL – 47.3 mi away (34,620 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Pekin, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Pekin. The closest is Bradley University in Peoria, IL (9.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois (50.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Pekin?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Pekin are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($182,390), Aerospace Engineer ($122,540), Mechanical Engineer ($115,350). 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 East Peoria instead of Pekin?
East Peoria, IL is 8.6 miles from Pekin 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 Pekin an affordable place to study engineering?
Pekin’s median household income of $58,355 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Pekin 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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