Best Online Engineering Programs in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)
Grand Rapids, Michigan has a population of about 197,768. The city’s median household income is $65,526 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Grand Rapids, with tuition ranging from $15,298 to $28,655 per year. In the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $135,900 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Grand Rapids
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Grand Rapids city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids, MI | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI | 11.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Muskegon Community College | Muskegon, MI | 33.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Montcalm Community College | Sidney, MI | 34.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI | 46.9 mi | $15,298 - $28,655 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is part of the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area (BLS area code 24340). 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 | $85,080 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $89,089 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,990 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $104,702 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $92,420 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $96,775 |
| Chemical Engineer | $128,370 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $134,419 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $115,540 | MI statewide | $120,984 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $103,810 | MI statewide | $108,702 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,210 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $104,932 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $135,900 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $142,304 |
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.
Grand Rapids at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,526 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Kent County | 4,232 workers, 340 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Grand Rapids-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Walker, MI – 4.8 mi away (24,775 pop)
- Wyoming, MI – 5.5 mi away (75,567 pop)
- Kentwood, MI – 6.2 mi away (51,689 pop)
- Holland, MI – 26.1 mi away (101,421 pop)
- Norton Shores, MI – 33.1 mi away (24,340 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Grand Rapids, MI?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Grand Rapids. The closest is Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, MI (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Western Michigan University (46.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Grand Rapids?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Grand Rapids are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($135,900), Chemical Engineer ($128,370), Aerospace Engineer ($115,540). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Michigan statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Walker instead of Grand Rapids?
Walker, MI is 4.8 miles from Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids an affordable place to study engineering?
Grand Rapids’s median household income of $65,526 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Grand Rapids while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Michigan 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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