Best Online Engineering Programs in Lawrence, KS (2026)
Lawrence, Kansas has a population of about 95,459. The city’s median household income is $62,838 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 55.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Lawrence. In the Lawrence, KS metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $132,410 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Lawrence
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Lawrence city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Washburn Institute of Technology | Topeka, KS | 26.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | 28.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 36.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pinnacle Career Institute | Kansas City, MO | 38.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kansas schools on the Kansas engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Lawrence
Lawrence is part of the Lawrence, KS metro area (BLS area code 29940). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Kansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $77,280 | Lawrence, KS | $85,676 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,240 | Lawrence, KS | $112,239 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $80,860 | Lawrence, KS | $89,645 |
| Chemical Engineer | $107,200 | KS statewide | $118,847 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,640 | KS statewide | $140,399 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $109,140 | KS statewide | $120,998 |
| Environmental Engineer | $93,540 | KS statewide | $103,703 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $132,410 | Lawrence, KS | $146,796 |
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.
Lawrence at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,459 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,838 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 55.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Douglas County | 427 workers, 90 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lawrence-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Gardner, KS – 20.6 mi away (21,110 pop)
- Topeka, KS – 23.7 mi away (149,220 pop)
- Olathe, KS – 24.5 mi away (135,473 pop)
- Shawnee, KS – 24.8 mi away (65,194 pop)
- Lenexa, KS – 24.8 mi away (52,903 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Lawrence, KS?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Lawrence. The closest is University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Pinnacle Career Institute (38.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Lawrence?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Lawrence are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($132,410), Aerospace Engineer ($126,640), Biomedical Engineer ($109,140). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Kansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Gardner instead of Lawrence?
Gardner, KS is 20.6 miles from Lawrence 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 Lawrence an affordable place to study engineering?
Lawrence’s median household income of $62,838 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lawrence while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Kansas 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.