Best Online Engineering Programs in Gardner, MA (2026)
Gardner, Massachusetts has a population of about 21,075. The city’s median household income is $62,948 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Gardner, with tuition ranging from $43,064 to $75,678 per year. In the Worcester, MA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $172,390 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Gardner
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Gardner city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Gardner, MA | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg, MA | 10.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Anna Maria College | Paxton, MA | 17.9 mi | $43,064 - $61,106 | – |
| Quinsigamond Community College | Worcester, MA | 21.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Worcester, MA | 23.3 mi | $59,070 - $75,678 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Gardner
Gardner is part of the Worcester, MA metro area (BLS area code 49340). 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 | $100,220 | Worcester, MA | $97,776 |
| Electrical Engineer | $118,500 | Worcester, MA | $115,610 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $106,150 | Worcester, MA | $103,561 |
| Chemical Engineer | $112,270 | Worcester, MA | $109,532 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $152,210 | MA statewide | $148,498 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $99,090 | Worcester, MA | $96,673 |
| Environmental Engineer | $105,240 | Worcester, MA | $102,673 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $172,390 | Worcester, MA | $168,185 |
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.
Gardner at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,075 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,948 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.5 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Worcester County | 2,651 workers, 343 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gardner-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Fitchburg, MA – 8.7 mi away (40,414 pop)
- Leominster, MA – 11.8 mi away (119,538 pop)
- Worcester, MA – 23.5 mi away (495,856 pop)
- Nashua, NH – 27.6 mi away (230,061 pop)
- Marlborough, MA – 27.7 mi away (39,697 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Gardner, MA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Gardner. The closest is Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, MA (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Worcester Polytechnic Institute (23.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Gardner?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Gardner are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($172,390), Aerospace Engineer ($152,210), Electrical Engineer ($118,500). 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 Fitchburg instead of Gardner?
Fitchburg, MA is 8.7 miles from Gardner 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 Gardner an affordable place to study engineering?
Gardner’s median household income of $62,948 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gardner 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
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