Best Online Engineering Programs in Lafayette, LA (2026)
Lafayette, Louisiana has a population of about 121,537. The city’s median household income is $61,454 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Lafayette, with tuition ranging from $9,940 to $26,076 per year. In the Lafayette, LA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $141,340 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Lafayette
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Lafayette city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette, LA | 0.9 mi | $10,418 - $24,631 | – |
| South Louisiana Community College | Lafayette, LA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | Baton Rouge, LA | 53.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 54.3 mi | $9,940 - $26,076 | – |
| ITI Technical College | Baton Rouge, LA | 58.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Louisiana schools on the Louisiana engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Lafayette
Lafayette is part of the Lafayette, LA metro area (BLS area code 29180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Louisiana statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,020 | Lafayette, LA | $111,261 |
| Electrical Engineer | $96,070 | Lafayette, LA | $110,172 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $79,850 | Lafayette, LA | $91,571 |
| Chemical Engineer | $131,180 | LA statewide | $150,436 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $121,430 | LA statewide | $139,255 |
| Biomedical Engineer | N/A | LA statewide | – |
| Environmental Engineer | $123,210 | LA statewide | $141,296 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $141,340 | Lafayette, LA | $162,087 |
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.
Lafayette at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,454 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 87.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Lafayette County | 2,287 workers, 337 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lafayette-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Abbeville, LA – 17.2 mi away (20,139 pop)
- New Iberia, LA – 19.0 mi away (30,386 pop)
- Opelousas, LA – 22.2 mi away (25,390 pop)
- Baton Rouge, LA – 56.0 mi away (589,675 pop)
- Morgan City, LA – 61.2 mi away (30,061 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Lafayette, LA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Lafayette. The closest is University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is ITI Technical College (58.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Lafayette?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Lafayette are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($141,340), Chemical Engineer ($131,180), Environmental Engineer ($123,210). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Louisiana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Abbeville instead of Lafayette?
Abbeville, LA is 17.2 miles from Lafayette 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 Lafayette an affordable place to study engineering?
Lafayette’s median household income of $61,454 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lafayette while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Louisiana 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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