Battle Creek, Michigan has a population of about 52,392. The city’s median household income is $51,699 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Battle Creek, with tuition ranging from $15,298 to $28,655 per year. In the Battle Creek, MI metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $132,120 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Battle Creek city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kellogg Community College | Battle Creek, MI | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI | 19.5 mi | $15,298 - $28,655 | – |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI | 23.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Glen Oaks Community College | Centreville, MI | 31.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Jackson College | Jackson, MI | 43.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan engineering page.
Battle Creek is part of the Battle Creek, MI metro area (BLS area code 12980). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Michigan statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $82,440 | Battle Creek, MI | $91,094 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,660 | Battle Creek, MI | $112,331 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,800 | Battle Creek, MI | $111,381 |
| Chemical Engineer | $106,690 | MI statewide | $117,890 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $115,540 | MI statewide | $127,669 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $103,810 | MI statewide | $114,707 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,090 | MI statewide | $110,597 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $132,120 | Battle Creek, MI | $145,989 |
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.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,392 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,699 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Calhoun County | 252 workers, 29 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Battle Creek. The closest is Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, MI (3.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Jackson College (43.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Battle Creek are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($132,120), Aerospace Engineer ($115,540), Chemical Engineer ($106,690). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Michigan statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Kalamazoo, MI is 18.4 miles from Battle Creek 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.
Battle Creek’s median household income of $51,699 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Battle Creek while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Michigan public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
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.
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in Michigan (2026)