Best Online Engineering Programs in Rock Island, IL (2026)
Rock Island, Illinois has a population of about 36,758. The city’s median household income is $57,292 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Rock Island, with tuition ranging from $10,964 to $32,927 per year. In the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $168,270 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Rock Island
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Rock Island city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Orion Technical College | Davenport, IA | 6.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Black Hawk College | Moline, IL | 6.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 50.8 mi | $10,964 - $32,927 | – |
| Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA | 54.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Rock Island
Rock Island is part of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area (BLS area code 19340). 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 | $95,220 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $106,869 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,250 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $120,370 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,090 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $112,334 |
| Chemical Engineer | $120,360 | IL statewide | $135,084 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,540 | IL statewide | $137,531 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $83,730 | IL statewide | $93,973 |
| Environmental Engineer | $96,560 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $108,373 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $168,270 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $188,855 |
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.
Rock Island at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,758 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $57,292 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Rock Island County | 792 workers, 30 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rock Island-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Moline, IL – 4.8 mi away (42,250 pop)
- Davenport, IA – 6.0 mi away (288,233 pop)
- Bettendorf, IA – 8.6 mi away (35,727 pop)
- East Moline, IL – 10.7 mi away (21,135 pop)
- Muscatine, IA – 25.4 mi away (26,481 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Rock Island, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Rock Island. The closest is Eastern Iowa Community College District in Davenport, IA (3.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southeastern Community College (54.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Rock Island?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Rock Island are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($168,270), 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 Moline instead of Rock Island?
Moline, IL is 4.8 miles from Rock Island 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 Rock Island an affordable place to study engineering?
Rock Island’s median household income of $57,292 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rock Island 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)
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in Illinois (2026)