Best Online Engineering Programs in Cedar Rapids, IA (2026)
Cedar Rapids, Iowa has a population of about 136,859. The city’s median household income is $67,859 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Cedar Rapids, with tuition ranging from $5,980 to $32,927 per year. In Iowa, the top-earning engineering-related role is Aerospace Engineer at a median $150,010 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Cedar Rapids
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Cedar Rapids city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.6 mi | $5,980 - $14,797 | – |
| University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 24.2 mi | $10,964 - $32,927 | – |
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA | 46.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | 55.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 60.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids is part of the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area (BLS area code 16300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Iowa statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $92,460 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $103,888 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,790 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $116,618 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $82,890 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $93,135 |
| Chemical Engineer | $101,080 | IA statewide | $113,573 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $150,010 | IA statewide | $168,551 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $91,760 | IA statewide | $103,101 |
| Environmental Engineer | $95,980 | IA statewide | $107,843 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $147,620 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $165,865 |
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.
Cedar Rapids at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,859 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Linn County | 1,257 workers, 189 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Cedar Rapids-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Marion, IA – 7.2 mi away (38,480 pop)
- Coralville, IA – 19.0 mi away (20,397 pop)
- Iowa City, IA – 22.8 mi away (116,891 pop)
- Muscatine, IA – 49.2 mi away (26,481 pop)
- Waterloo, IA – 50.1 mi away (112,635 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Cedar Rapids, IA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Cedar Rapids. The closest is Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, IA (3.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Upper Iowa University (60.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Cedar Rapids?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Cedar Rapids are: Aerospace Engineer ($150,010), Architectural and Engineering Manager ($147,620), Electrical Engineer ($103,790). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Iowa statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Marion instead of Cedar Rapids?
Marion, IA is 7.2 miles from Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids an affordable place to study engineering?
Cedar Rapids’s median household income of $67,859 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cedar Rapids while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Iowa 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.