Best Online Engineering Programs in Urbana, IL (2026)
Urbana, Illinois has a population of about 38,447. The city’s median household income is $45,854 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 58.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Urbana, with tuition ranging from $16,004 to $34,501 per year. In the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $129,170 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Urbana
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Urbana city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1.7 mi | $16,004 - $34,501 | – |
| Parkland College | Champaign, IL | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Danville Area Community College | Danville, IL | 32.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | 40.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston, IL | 43.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Urbana
Urbana is part of the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area (BLS area code 16580). 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 | $94,990 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $102,470 |
| Electrical Engineer | $92,130 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $99,385 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $96,000 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $103,560 |
| 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 | $107,550 | IL statewide | $116,019 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $129,170 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $139,342 |
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.
Urbana at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,447 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,854 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 58.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Champaign County | 758 workers, 72 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Urbana-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Champaign, IL – 4.0 mi away (155,368 pop)
- Danville, IL – 31.0 mi away (48,785 pop)
- Decatur, IL – 42.8 mi away (89,653 pop)
- Charleston, IL – 43.3 mi away (21,105 pop)
- Bloomington, IL – 47.9 mi away (135,015 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Urbana, IL?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Urbana. The closest is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, IL (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Eastern Illinois University (43.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Urbana?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Urbana are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($129,170), 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 Champaign instead of Urbana?
Champaign, IL is 4.0 miles from Urbana 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 Urbana an affordable place to study engineering?
Urbana’s median household income of $45,854 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Urbana 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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