Meridian, Mississippi has a population of about 34,466. The city’s median household income is $34,657 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Meridian, with tuition ranging from $3,932 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).
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Meridian city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian Community College | Meridian, MS | 2.7 mi | $3,932 - $13,402 | – |
| East Central Community College | Decatur, MS | 24.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 32.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| East Mississippi Community College | Scooba, MS | 33.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Jones County Junior College | Ellisville, MS | 62.3 mi | $4,000 - $14,975 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Mississippi schools on the Mississippi engineering page.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Mississippi, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $103,940 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,840 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $90,730 |
| Chemical Engineer | $102,470 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $96,810 |
| Biomedical Engineer | N/A |
| Environmental Engineer | $81,780 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $136,010 |
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.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,466 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $34,657 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Engineering-related employment in Lauderdale County | 184 workers, 27 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Meridian. The closest is Meridian Community College in Meridian, MS (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Jones County Junior College (62.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles in Mississippi are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($136,010), Civil Engineer ($103,940), Chemical Engineer ($102,470). Wages for Meridian workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Laurel, MS is 54.6 miles from Meridian 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.
Meridian’s median household income of $34,657 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Meridian while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Mississippi public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
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.
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in Mississippi (2026)