Best Online Engineering Programs in Springfield, IL (2026)
Springfield, Illinois has a population of about 113,714. The city’s median household income is $65,537 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Springfield. In the Springfield, IL metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $133,110 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Springfield
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Springfield city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | 4.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois | Springfield, IL | 5.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | 41.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois State University | Normal, IL | 61.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Heartland Community College | Normal, IL | 62.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Springfield
Springfield is part of the Springfield, IL metro area (BLS area code 44100). 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 | $102,330 | Springfield, IL | $110,388 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,320 | Springfield, IL | $107,141 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $96,240 | Springfield, IL | $103,819 |
| Chemical Engineer | $120,360 | IL statewide | $129,838 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,540 | IL statewide | $132,190 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $83,730 | IL statewide | $90,324 |
| Environmental Engineer | $95,990 | Springfield, IL | $103,549 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $133,110 | Springfield, IL | $143,592 |
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.
Springfield at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,537 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Sangamon County | 774 workers, 74 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Springfield-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Jacksonville, IL – 30.9 mi away (21,832 pop)
- Decatur, IL – 38.7 mi away (89,653 pop)
- Pekin, IL – 55.0 mi away (33,038 pop)
- Bloomington, IL – 60.6 mi away (135,015 pop)
- East Peoria, IL – 62.6 mi away (22,939 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Springfield, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Springfield. The closest is Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL (4.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Heartland Community College (62.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Springfield?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Springfield are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($133,110), 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 Jacksonville instead of Springfield?
Jacksonville, IL is 30.9 miles from Springfield 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 Springfield an affordable place to study engineering?
Springfield’s median household income of $65,537 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Springfield 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)