Best Online Engineering Programs in Wichita, KS (2026)
Wichita, Kansas has a population of about 396,488. The city’s median household income is $63,072 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Wichita, with tuition ranging from $6,018 to $21,064 per year. In the Wichita, KS metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $148,030 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Wichita
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Wichita city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita State University | Wichita, KS | 2.2 mi | $9,322 - $21,064 | – |
| Wichita Technical Institute | Wichita, KS | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | Wichita, KS | 8.0 mi | $6,018 - $16,928 | – |
| Butler Community College | El Dorado, KS | 26.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson, KS | 40.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kansas schools on the Kansas engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Wichita
Wichita is part of the Wichita, KS metro area (BLS area code 48620). 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 | $80,100 | Wichita, KS | $90,101 |
| Electrical Engineer | $92,150 | Wichita, KS | $103,656 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $91,770 | Wichita, KS | $103,228 |
| Chemical Engineer | $113,990 | Wichita, KS | $128,223 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $127,050 | Wichita, KS | $142,913 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $109,140 | KS statewide | $122,767 |
| Environmental Engineer | $90,070 | Wichita, KS | $101,316 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $148,030 | Wichita, KS | $166,513 |
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.
Wichita at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 396,488 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,072 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Sedgwick County | 2,793 workers, 312 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Wichita-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Derby, KS – 10.4 mi away (23,633 pop)
- Newton, KS – 23.9 mi away (20,625 pop)
- Hutchinson, KS – 40.4 mi away (43,507 pop)
- Ponca City, OK – 68.4 mi away (25,164 pop)
- Salina, KS – 79.1 mi away (47,123 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Wichita, KS?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Wichita. The closest is Wichita State University in Wichita, KS (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Hutchinson Community College (40.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Wichita?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Wichita are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($148,030), Aerospace Engineer ($127,050), Chemical Engineer ($113,990). 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 Derby instead of Wichita?
Derby, KS is 10.4 miles from Wichita 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 Wichita an affordable place to study engineering?
Wichita’s median household income of $63,072 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wichita 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.