Best Online Engineering Programs in New Orleans, LA (2026)
New Orleans, Louisiana has a population of about 376,035. The city’s median household income is $55,339 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 42.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of New Orleans, with tuition ranging from $8,373 to $22,647 per year. In the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $163,280 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to New Orleans
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from New Orleans city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nunez Community College | Chalmette, LA | 8.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Delgado Community College | New Orleans, LA | 11.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Xavier University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | 13.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond, LA | 44.8 mi | $8,373 - $22,647 | – |
| Nicholls State University | Thibodaux, LA | 55.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Louisiana schools on the Louisiana engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near New Orleans
New Orleans is part of the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area (BLS area code 35380). 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 | $100,130 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $108,132 |
| Electrical Engineer | $108,620 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $117,300 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $119,690 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $129,255 |
| Chemical Engineer | $133,070 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $143,704 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $130,330 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $140,745 |
| Biomedical Engineer | N/A | LA statewide | – |
| Environmental Engineer | $108,280 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $116,933 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $163,280 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $176,328 |
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.
New Orleans at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,339 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 42.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Orleans County | 2,533 workers, 439 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other New Orleans-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Slidell, LA – 17.5 mi away (94,320 pop)
- Kenner, LA – 19.9 mi away (67,089 pop)
- Mandeville, LA – 23.3 mi away (95,576 pop)
- Hammond, LA – 43.6 mi away (69,616 pop)
- Gulfport, MS – 56.9 mi away (222,131 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near New Orleans, LA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of New Orleans. The closest is Nunez Community College in Chalmette, LA (8.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Nicholls State University (55.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near New Orleans?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near New Orleans are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($163,280), Chemical Engineer ($133,070), Aerospace Engineer ($130,330). 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 Slidell instead of New Orleans?
Slidell, LA is 17.5 miles from New Orleans 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 New Orleans an affordable place to study engineering?
New Orleans’s median household income of $55,339 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in New Orleans 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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