Best Online Engineering Programs in Hattiesburg, MS (2026)
Hattiesburg, Mississippi has a population of about 48,507. The city’s median household income is $44,140 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Hattiesburg, with tuition ranging from $3,650 to $14,975 per year. In Mississippi, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $136,010 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Hattiesburg
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Hattiesburg city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS | 1.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Jones County Junior College | Ellisville, MS | 21.0 mi | $4,000 - $14,975 | – |
| Pearl River Community College | Poplarville, MS | 34.7 mi | $3,650 - $11,607 | – |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Perkinston, MS | 37.8 mi | $3,950 - $12,908 | – |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS | 68.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Mississippi schools on the Mississippi engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg is part of the Hattiesburg, MS metro area (BLS area code 25620). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Mississippi statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $96,660 | Hattiesburg, MS | $110,342 |
| Electrical Engineer | $108,200 | Hattiesburg, MS | $123,516 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $90,730 | MS statewide | $103,573 |
| Chemical Engineer | $102,470 | MS statewide | $116,975 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $96,810 | MS statewide | $110,514 |
| Biomedical Engineer | N/A | MS statewide | – |
| Environmental Engineer | $81,780 | MS statewide | $93,356 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $136,010 | MS statewide | $155,263 |
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.
Hattiesburg at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,507 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $44,140 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 87.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Forrest County | 83 workers, 19 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hattiesburg-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Laurel, MS – 28.7 mi away (26,433 pop)
- Gulfport, MS – 62.6 mi away (222,131 pop)
- Biloxi, MS – 63.7 mi away (45,975 pop)
- Slidell, LA – 75.7 mi away (94,320 pop)
- Brandon, MS – 77.8 mi away (23,826 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Hattiesburg, MS?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Hattiesburg. The closest is University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS (1.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Copiah-Lincoln Community College (68.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Hattiesburg?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Hattiesburg are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($136,010), Electrical Engineer ($108,200), Chemical Engineer ($102,470). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Mississippi statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Laurel instead of Hattiesburg?
Laurel, MS is 28.7 miles from Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg an affordable place to study engineering?
Hattiesburg’s median household income of $44,140 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hattiesburg while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Mississippi 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
- Online Engineering Programs in Mississippi
- Main Engineering Degree Guide
- Engineering Programs by State
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