Best Online Engineering Programs in Gaithersburg, MD (2026)
Gaithersburg, Maryland has a population of about 69,225. The city’s median household income is $107,496 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 52.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Gaithersburg, with tuition ranging from $6,152 to $80,727 per year. In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $180,360 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Gaithersburg
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Gaithersburg city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery College | Rockville, MD | 3.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of the District of Columbia | Washington, DC | 15.4 mi | $6,152 - $20,911 | – |
| The Catholic University of America | Washington, DC | 17.4 mi | $55,834 - $73,198 | – |
| Howard Community College | Columbia, MD | 18.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 19.2 mi | $64,990 - $80,727 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maryland schools on the Maryland engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Gaithersburg
Gaithersburg is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area (BLS area code 47900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Maryland statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,370 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,167 |
| Electrical Engineer | $136,820 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $125,638 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $121,060 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $111,166 |
| Chemical Engineer | $129,040 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $118,494 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,980 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $145,069 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $108,310 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,458 |
| Environmental Engineer | $125,240 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $115,005 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $180,360 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $165,620 |
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.
Gaithersburg at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,225 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $107,496 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 52.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Montgomery County | 7,365 workers, 664 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gaithersburg-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Rockville, MD – 4.7 mi away (66,940 pop)
- Herndon, VA – 14.7 mi away (24,393 pop)
- College Park, MD – 17.8 mi away (32,275 pop)
- Leesburg, VA – 18.4 mi away (52,607 pop)
- Laurel, MD – 19.0 mi away (25,853 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Gaithersburg, MD?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Gaithersburg. The closest is Montgomery College in Rockville, MD (3.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is George Washington University (19.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Gaithersburg?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Gaithersburg are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($180,360), Aerospace Engineer ($157,980), Electrical Engineer ($136,820). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Maryland statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Rockville instead of Gaithersburg?
Rockville, MD is 4.7 miles from Gaithersburg 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 Gaithersburg an affordable place to study engineering?
Gaithersburg’s median household income of $107,496 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gaithersburg while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Maryland 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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