Best Online Engineering Programs in Johnston, IA (2026)
Johnston, Iowa has a population of about 24,196. The city’s median household income is $103,430 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 57.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Johnston, with tuition ranging from $4,872 to $27,683 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 Johnston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Johnston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA | 5.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Iowa State University | Ames, IA | 23.9 mi | $10,497 - $27,683 | – |
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA | 60.9 mi | $5,376 - $15,405 | – |
| William Penn University | Oskaloosa, IA | 61.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa, IA | 81.8 mi | $4,872 - $14,774 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Johnston
Johnston is part of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area (BLS area code 19780). 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 | $96,440 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $105,169 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,350 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $120,338 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $88,500 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $96,510 |
| Chemical Engineer | $101,080 | IA statewide | $110,229 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $150,010 | IA statewide | $163,588 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $91,760 | IA statewide | $100,065 |
| Environmental Engineer | $92,160 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $100,502 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $134,310 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $146,467 |
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.
Johnston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,196 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $103,430 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 57.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Polk County | 4,402 workers, 423 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Johnston-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Urbandale, IA – 4.6 mi away (43,018 pop)
- Ankeny, IA – 6.6 mi away (58,627 pop)
- Des Moines, IA – 9.6 mi away (476,689 pop)
- West Des Moines, IA – 9.7 mi away (64,560 pop)
- Ames, IA – 24.0 mi away (67,841 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Johnston, IA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Johnston. The closest is Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, IA (5.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Indian Hills Community College (81.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Johnston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Johnston are: Aerospace Engineer ($150,010), Architectural and Engineering Manager ($134,310), Electrical Engineer ($110,350). 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 Urbandale instead of Johnston?
Urbandale, IA is 4.6 miles from Johnston 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 Johnston an affordable place to study engineering?
Johnston’s median household income of $103,430 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Johnston 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.