Best Online Engineering Programs in Cambridge, MA (2026)
Cambridge, Massachusetts has a population of about 117,794. The city’s median household income is $126,469 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 80.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Cambridge, with tuition ranging from $67,844 to $84,600 per year. In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $178,800 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Cambridge
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Cambridge city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeastern University | Boston, MA | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs | Boston, MA | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tufts University | Medford, MA | 3.0 mi | $67,844 - $84,600 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Cambridge
Cambridge is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area (BLS area code 14460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Massachusetts statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $104,750 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $96,722 |
| Electrical Engineer | $127,520 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $117,747 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,160 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $114,645 |
| Chemical Engineer | $122,190 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $112,825 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $151,080 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $139,501 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $110,880 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $102,382 |
| Environmental Engineer | $116,980 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $108,015 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $178,800 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $165,097 |
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.
Cambridge at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $126,469 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 80.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Middlesex County | 18,471 workers, 1,261 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Cambridge-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Somerville, MA – 1.4 mi away (81,322 pop)
- Watertown, MA – 3.0 mi away (35,025 pop)
- Medford, MA – 3.3 mi away (57,213 pop)
- Everett, MA – 3.9 mi away (46,340 pop)
- Boston, MA – 4.3 mi away (4,556,916 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Cambridge, MA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Cambridge. The closest is Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tufts University (3.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Cambridge?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Cambridge are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($178,800), Aerospace Engineer ($151,080), Electrical Engineer ($127,520). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Massachusetts statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Somerville instead of Cambridge?
Somerville, MA is 1.4 miles from Cambridge 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 Cambridge an affordable place to study engineering?
Cambridge’s median household income of $126,469 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cambridge while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Massachusetts 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
- Online Engineering Programs in Massachusetts
- Main Engineering Degree Guide
- Engineering Programs by State
Back to Best Online Engineering Programs in Massachusetts (2026)
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in Massachusetts (2026)