Best Online Engineering Programs in Rochester, MN (2026)
Rochester, Minnesota has a population of about 121,638. The city’s median household income is $87,767 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Rochester. In the Rochester, MN metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $175,600 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Rochester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Rochester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | 35.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona, MN | 42.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls | River Falls, WI | 58.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI | 62.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout | Menomonie, WI | 65.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Rochester
Rochester is part of the Rochester, MN metro area (BLS area code 40340). 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 | Rochester, MN | $107,004 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,260 | Rochester, MN | $111,520 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,650 | Rochester, MN | $111,949 |
| Chemical Engineer | $114,060 | MN statewide | $125,617 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $147,940 | MN statewide | $162,930 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $124,760 | MN statewide | $137,401 |
| Environmental Engineer | $115,600 | Rochester, MN | $127,313 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $175,600 | Rochester, MN | $193,392 |
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.
Rochester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $87,767 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Olmsted County | 305 workers, 45 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rochester-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Austin, MN – 34.3 mi away (25,105 pop)
- Owatonna, MN – 37.8 mi away (25,567 pop)
- Winona, MN – 40.2 mi away (30,208 pop)
- Faribault, MN – 44.3 mi away (24,012 pop)
- Northfield, MN – 45.8 mi away (22,005 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Rochester, MN?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Rochester. The closest is Riverland Community College in Austin, MN (35.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Wisconsin-Stout (65.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Rochester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Rochester are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($175,600), 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 Austin instead of Rochester?
Austin, MN is 34.3 miles from Rochester 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 Rochester an affordable place to study engineering?
Rochester’s median household income of $87,767 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rochester 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.
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