Best Online Engineering Programs in Topeka, KS (2026)
Topeka, Kansas has a population of about 126,103. The city’s median household income is $55,902 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Topeka. In the Topeka, KS metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $142,770 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Topeka
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Topeka city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washburn Institute of Technology | Topeka, KS | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS | 24.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Benedictine College | Atchison, KS | 48.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS | 49.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Manhattan Area Technical College | Manhattan, KS | 50.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kansas schools on the Kansas engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Topeka
Topeka is part of the Topeka, KS metro area (BLS area code 45820). 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 | $87,980 | Topeka, KS | $99,077 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,250 | Topeka, KS | $123,029 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,250 | Topeka, KS | $110,642 |
| Chemical Engineer | $107,200 | KS statewide | $120,721 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,640 | KS statewide | $142,613 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $109,140 | KS statewide | $122,905 |
| Environmental Engineer | $84,860 | Topeka, KS | $95,563 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $142,770 | Topeka, KS | $160,777 |
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.
Topeka at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,902 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Shawnee County | 675 workers, 78 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Topeka-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Lawrence, KS – 23.7 mi away (95,800 pop)
- Gardner, KS – 43.8 mi away (21,110 pop)
- Leavenworth, KS – 45.8 mi away (46,445 pop)
- Shawnee, KS – 47.7 mi away (65,194 pop)
- Olathe, KS – 48.2 mi away (135,473 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Topeka, KS?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Topeka. The closest is Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka, KS (3.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Manhattan Area Technical College (50.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Topeka?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Topeka are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($142,770), Aerospace Engineer ($126,640), Electrical Engineer ($109,250). 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 Lawrence instead of Topeka?
Lawrence, KS is 23.7 miles from Topeka 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 Topeka an affordable place to study engineering?
Topeka’s median household income of $55,902 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Topeka 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.