Best Online Engineering Programs in Royal Oak, MI (2026)
Royal Oak, Michigan has a population of about 57,880. The city’s median household income is $95,182 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 62.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Royal Oak. In the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $167,890 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Royal Oak
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Royal Oak city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Technological Institute | Southfield, MI | 5.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lawrence Technological University | Southfield, MI | 5.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit, MI | 6.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Macomb Community College | Warren, MI | 9.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oakland Community College | Auburn Hills, MI | 10.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Royal Oak
Royal Oak is part of the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area (BLS area code 19820). 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 | $85,690 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $85,434 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,500 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $105,184 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,420 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $104,108 |
| Chemical Engineer | $108,760 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $108,435 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,490 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $134,088 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $103,810 | MI statewide | $103,500 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,590 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $102,283 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $167,890 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $167,388 |
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.
Royal Oak at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,880 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $95,182 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 62.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Oakland County | 37,155 workers, 1,040 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Royal Oak-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Madison Heights, MI – 2.6 mi away (30,088 pop)
- Oak Park, MI – 3.3 mi away (29,645 pop)
- Ferndale, MI – 3.6 mi away (20,099 pop)
- Birmingham, MI – 4.1 mi away (21,007 pop)
- Troy, MI – 5.1 mi away (83,641 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Royal Oak, MI?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Royal Oak. The closest is Northwestern Technological Institute in Southfield, MI (5.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Oakland Community College (10.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Royal Oak?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Royal Oak are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($167,890), Aerospace Engineer ($134,490), Chemical Engineer ($108,760). 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 Madison Heights instead of Royal Oak?
Madison Heights, MI is 2.6 miles from Royal Oak 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 Royal Oak an affordable place to study engineering?
Royal Oak’s median household income of $95,182 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Royal Oak 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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