Best Online Engineering Programs in Forest Lake, MN (2026)
Forest Lake, Minnesota has a population of about 20,678. The city’s median household income is $89,879 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Forest Lake, 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 Forest Lake
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Forest Lake city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Century College | White Bear Lake, MN | 15.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Paul College | Saint Paul, MN | 22.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Anoka Technical College | Anoka, MN | 22.4 mi | $6,267 - $16,662 | – |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | 23.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hennepin Technical College | Brooklyn Park, MN | 24.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Forest Lake
Forest Lake 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.
Forest Lake at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,678 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $89,879 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Washington County | 974 workers, 114 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Forest Lake-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Lino Lakes, MN – 8.5 mi away (21,018 pop)
- White Bear Lake, MN – 13.3 mi away (25,634 pop)
- Blaine, MN – 13.5 mi away (62,892 pop)
- Shoreview, MN – 14.6 mi away (26,548 pop)
- New Brighton, MN – 17.7 mi away (22,496 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Forest Lake, MN?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Forest Lake. The closest is Century College in White Bear Lake, MN (15.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Hennepin Technical College (24.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Forest Lake?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Forest Lake 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 Lino Lakes instead of Forest Lake?
Lino Lakes, MN is 8.5 miles from Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake an affordable place to study engineering?
Forest Lake’s median household income of $89,879 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Forest Lake 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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