Best Online Engineering Programs in Laurel, MD (2026)
Laurel, Maryland has a population of about 29,594. The city’s median household income is $94,063 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 44.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Laurel, with tuition ranging from $55,834 to $73,198 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 Laurel
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Laurel city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capitol Technology University | Laurel, MD | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia | Columbia, MD | 5.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Howard Community College | Columbia, MD | 8.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The Catholic University of America | Washington, DC | 12.2 mi | $55,834 - $73,198 | – |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County | Baltimore, MD | 13.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maryland schools on the Maryland engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Laurel
Laurel 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.
Laurel at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,594 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $94,063 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 44.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Prince George’s County | 3,904 workers, 298 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Laurel-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Greenbelt, MD – 7.1 mi away (23,909 pop)
- College Park, MD – 7.8 mi away (32,275 pop)
- Bowie, MD – 11.5 mi away (58,393 pop)
- Washington, DC – 15.5 mi away (5,191,844 pop)
- Rockville, MD – 15.7 mi away (66,940 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Laurel, MD?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Laurel. The closest is Capitol Technology University in Laurel, MD (3.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Maryland-Baltimore County (13.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Laurel?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Laurel 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 Greenbelt instead of Laurel?
Greenbelt, MD is 7.1 miles from Laurel 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 Laurel an affordable place to study engineering?
Laurel’s median household income of $94,063 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Laurel 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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