Best Online Engineering Programs in Mankato, MN (2026)
Mankato, Minnesota has a population of about 44,882. The city’s median household income is $64,826 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Mankato. In the Mankato, MN metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $155,150 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Mankato
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Mankato city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | Mankato, MN | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Central College | North Mankato, MN | 3.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Normandale Community College | Bloomington, MN | 55.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | 59.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dunwoody College of Technology | Minneapolis, MN | 64.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Mankato
Mankato is part of the Mankato, MN metro area (BLS area code 31860). 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 | $97,160 | Mankato, MN | $106,769 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,450 | Mankato, MN | $108,187 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $86,390 | Mankato, MN | $94,934 |
| Chemical Engineer | $114,060 | MN statewide | $125,341 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $147,940 | MN statewide | $162,571 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $124,760 | MN statewide | $137,099 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,980 | MN statewide | $115,363 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $155,150 | Mankato, MN | $170,495 |
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.
Mankato at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,882 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,826 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Blue Earth County | 547 workers, 14 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Mankato-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Faribault, MN – 35.7 mi away (24,012 pop)
- Owatonna, MN – 37.5 mi away (25,567 pop)
- Northfield, MN – 44.5 mi away (22,005 pop)
- Prior Lake, MN – 46.5 mi away (25,863 pop)
- Chaska, MN – 48.1 mi away (26,016 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Mankato, MN?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Mankato. The closest is Minnesota State University-Mankato in Mankato, MN (2.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Dunwoody College of Technology (64.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Mankato?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Mankato are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($155,150), Aerospace Engineer ($147,940), Biomedical Engineer ($124,760). 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 Faribault instead of Mankato?
Faribault, MN is 35.7 miles from Mankato 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 Mankato an affordable place to study engineering?
Mankato’s median household income of $64,826 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Mankato 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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