Best Online Engineering Programs in Crystal, MN (2026)
Crystal, Minnesota has a population of about 22,685. The city’s median household income is $86,752 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Crystal, with tuition ranging from $6,267 to $16,662 per year. In the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $170,970 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Crystal
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Crystal city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hennepin Technical College | Brooklyn Park, MN | 4.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dunwoody College of Technology | Minneapolis, MN | 5.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | 7.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | 10.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Anoka Technical College | Anoka, MN | 12.5 mi | $6,267 - $16,662 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Crystal
Crystal is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area (BLS area code 33460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Minnesota statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $102,190 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,510 |
| Electrical Engineer | $106,960 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $102,061 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,740 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $96,126 |
| Chemical Engineer | $122,110 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $116,517 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $147,940 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $141,164 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $126,780 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $120,973 |
| Environmental Engineer | $108,380 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $103,416 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $170,970 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $163,139 |
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.
Crystal at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,685 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $86,752 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Hennepin County | 13,178 workers, 923 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Crystal-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- New Hope, MN – 1.3 mi away (20,877 pop)
- Brooklyn Center, MN – 3.0 mi away (30,870 pop)
- Golden Valley, MN – 3.3 mi away (21,376 pop)
- Plymouth, MN – 5.1 mi away (77,216 pop)
- Brooklyn Park, MN – 5.1 mi away (79,707 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Crystal, MN?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Crystal. The closest is Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, MN (4.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Anoka Technical College (12.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Crystal?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Crystal are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($170,970), Aerospace Engineer ($147,940), Biomedical Engineer ($126,780). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Minnesota statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in New Hope instead of Crystal?
New Hope, MN is 1.3 miles from Crystal 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 Crystal an affordable place to study engineering?
Crystal’s median household income of $86,752 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Crystal while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Minnesota 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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