Best Online Engineering Programs in Ashland, KY (2026)
Ashland, Kentucky has a population of about 21,405. The city’s median household income is $52,199 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 24.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Ashland, with tuition ranging from $4,656 to $21,299 per year. In the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $142,560 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Ashland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Ashland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland Community and Technical College | Ashland, KY | 1.4 mi | $4,656 - $13,571 | – |
| Ohio University-Southern Campus | Ironton, OH | 4.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mountwest Community and Technical College | Huntington, WV | 11.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marshall University | Huntington, WV | 12.0 mi | $8,942 - $21,299 | – |
| Shawnee State University | Portsmouth, OH | 27.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kentucky schools on the Kentucky engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Ashland
Ashland is part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area (BLS area code 26580). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Kentucky statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $86,940 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $98,348 |
| Electrical Engineer | $106,110 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $120,034 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,040 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $110,905 |
| Chemical Engineer | $112,390 | KY statewide | $127,138 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $117,660 | KY statewide | $133,100 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $101,420 | KY statewide | $114,729 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,770 | KY statewide | $118,518 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $142,560 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $161,267 |
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.
Ashland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,405 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,199 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 24.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Boyd County | 217 workers, 24 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Ashland-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Huntington, WV – 11.9 mi away (198,419 pop)
- Portsmouth, OH – 26.0 mi away (36,584 pop)
- Charleston, WV – 55.4 mi away (146,462 pop)
- Chillicothe, OH – 63.6 mi away (32,004 pop)
- Athens, OH – 66.8 mi away (30,077 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Ashland, KY?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Ashland. The closest is Ashland Community and Technical College in Ashland, KY (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Shawnee State University (27.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Ashland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Ashland are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($142,560), Aerospace Engineer ($117,660), Chemical Engineer ($112,390). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Kentucky statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Huntington instead of Ashland?
Huntington, WV is 11.9 miles from Ashland 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 Ashland an affordable place to study engineering?
Ashland’s median household income of $52,199 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ashland while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Kentucky 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.
Related Resources
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