Best Online Engineering Programs in Elkhart, IN (2026)
Elkhart, Indiana has a population of about 53,726. The city’s median household income is $47,885 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 17.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Elkhart, with tuition ranging from $6,026 to $14,999 per year. In the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $153,770 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Elkhart
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Elkhart city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | 14.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac, MI | 19.9 mi | $6,026 - $14,999 | – |
| Glen Oaks Community College | Centreville, MI | 27.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Michigan College | Benton Harbor, MI | 35.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI | 39.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Elkhart
Elkhart is part of the Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area (BLS area code 21140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Indiana statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $84,560 | Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $93,643 |
| Electrical Engineer | $77,600 | Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $85,936 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $93,410 | Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $103,444 |
| Chemical Engineer | $115,570 | IN statewide | $127,984 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $104,160 | IN statewide | $115,349 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $105,750 | IN statewide | $117,110 |
| Environmental Engineer | $95,630 | IN statewide | $105,903 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $153,770 | Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $170,288 |
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.
Elkhart at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,726 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $47,885 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 17.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Elkhart County | 421 workers, 72 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Elkhart-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- South Bend, IN – 15.9 mi away (279,698 pop)
- Warsaw, IN – 31.5 mi away (32,622 pop)
- Benton Harbor, MI – 38.5 mi away (60,298 pop)
- LaPorte, IN – 39.2 mi away (21,732 pop)
- Portage, MI – 40.0 mi away (48,508 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Elkhart, IN?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Elkhart. The closest is University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN (14.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Kalamazoo Valley Community College (39.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Elkhart?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Elkhart are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($153,770), Chemical Engineer ($115,570), Biomedical Engineer ($105,750). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Indiana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in South Bend instead of Elkhart?
South Bend, IN is 15.9 miles from Elkhart 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 Elkhart an affordable place to study engineering?
Elkhart’s median household income of $47,885 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Elkhart while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Indiana 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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