Best Online Engineering Programs in South Bend, IN (2026)
South Bend, Indiana has a population of about 102,866. The city’s median household income is $52,512 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of South Bend, with tuition ranging from $6,026 to $14,999 per year. In the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $146,610 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to South Bend
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from South Bend city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac, MI | 22.1 mi | $6,026 - $14,999 | – |
| Lake Michigan College | Benton Harbor, MI | 29.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Glen Oaks Community College | Centreville, MI | 42.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN | 42.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near South Bend
South Bend is part of the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area (BLS area code 43780). 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 | $97,000 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $104,413 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,470 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $107,072 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $93,430 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $100,571 |
| Chemical Engineer | $115,570 | IN statewide | $124,403 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $104,160 | IN statewide | $112,121 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $105,750 | IN statewide | $113,832 |
| Environmental Engineer | $95,630 | IN statewide | $102,939 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $146,610 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $157,815 |
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.
South Bend at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,512 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in St. Joseph County | 1,165 workers, 115 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other South Bend-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Elkhart, IN – 15.9 mi away (147,181 pop)
- LaPorte, IN – 23.5 mi away (21,732 pop)
- Benton Harbor, MI – 31.7 mi away (60,298 pop)
- Warsaw, IN – 37.0 mi away (32,622 pop)
- Portage, IN – 47.4 mi away (36,505 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near South Bend, IN?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of South Bend. The closest is University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN (2.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Valparaiso University (42.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near South Bend?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near South Bend are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($146,610), 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 Elkhart instead of South Bend?
Elkhart, IN is 15.9 miles from South Bend 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 South Bend an affordable place to study engineering?
South Bend’s median household income of $52,512 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in South Bend 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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