Best Online Engineering Programs in Plainfield, IN (2026)
Plainfield, Indiana has a population of about 35,783. The city’s median household income is $85,074 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Plainfield, with tuition ranging from $35,640 to $49,098 per year. In the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $156,820 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Plainfield
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Plainfield city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | 11.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN | 12.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | Bloomington, IN | 37.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Anderson University | Anderson, IN | 47.1 mi | $35,640 - $49,098 | – |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | 52.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Plainfield
Plainfield is part of the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area (BLS area code 26900). 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 | $97,640 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $102,027 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,130 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $108,809 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $96,230 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $100,554 |
| Chemical Engineer | $115,570 | IN statewide | $120,763 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $108,990 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $113,887 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $127,650 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $133,386 |
| Environmental Engineer | $92,690 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $96,855 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $156,820 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $163,866 |
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.
Plainfield at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,783 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $85,074 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 33.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Hendricks County | 438 workers, 76 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Plainfield-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Brownsburg, IN – 9.2 mi away (25,408 pop)
- Indianapolis, IN – 13.2 mi away (1,550,488 pop)
- Greenwood, IN – 15.7 mi away (56,545 pop)
- Zionsville, IN – 21.1 mi away (26,784 pop)
- Carmel, IN – 21.9 mi away (91,065 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Plainfield, IN?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Plainfield. The closest is Indiana University-Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN (11.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (52.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Plainfield?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Plainfield are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($156,820), Biomedical Engineer ($127,650), Chemical Engineer ($115,570). 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 Brownsburg instead of Plainfield?
Brownsburg, IN is 9.2 miles from Plainfield 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 Plainfield an affordable place to study engineering?
Plainfield’s median household income of $85,074 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Plainfield 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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