Best Online Engineering Programs in Gary, IN (2026)
Gary, Indiana has a population of about 68,604. The city’s median household income is $37,380 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Gary, with tuition ranging from $5,093 to $16,287 per year. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $159,110 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Gary
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Gary city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 6.6 mi | $8,419 - $16,287 | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 14.1 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 15.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN | 18.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL | 22.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Gary
Gary is part of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area (BLS area code 16980). 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 | $100,280 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $96,795 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,010 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $105,222 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,390 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $96,902 |
| Chemical Engineer | $119,490 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $115,338 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $125,520 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $121,158 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $96,320 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $92,973 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,550 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $103,813 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $159,110 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $153,581 |
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.
Gary at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,604 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $37,380 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Lake County | 1,898 workers, 191 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gary-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Highland, IN – 6.5 mi away (22,737 pop)
- Hobart, IN – 6.5 mi away (28,248 pop)
- East Chicago, IN – 6.8 mi away (28,418 pop)
- Hammond, IN – 7.6 mi away (77,134 pop)
- Merrillville, IN – 8.3 mi away (34,994 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Gary, IN?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Gary. The closest is Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, IN (6.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Illinois Institute of Technology (22.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Gary?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Gary are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($159,110), Aerospace Engineer ($125,520), Chemical Engineer ($119,490). 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 Highland instead of Gary?
Highland, IN is 6.5 miles from Gary 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 Gary an affordable place to study engineering?
Gary’s median household income of $37,380 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gary 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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