Best Online Engineering Programs in Cape Girardeau, MO (2026)
Cape Girardeau, Missouri has a population of about 40,047. The city’s median household income is $54,870 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Cape Girardeau, with tuition ranging from $4,860 to $23,337 per year. In Missouri, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $153,670 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Cape Girardeau
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Cape Girardeau city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO | 1.8 mi | $9,496 - $23,337 | – |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale, IL | 33.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| John A Logan College | Carterville, IL | 39.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | Paducah, KY | 52.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Three Rivers College | Poplar Bluff, MO | 60.6 mi | $4,860 - $17,482 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau is part of the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area (BLS area code 16020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Missouri statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $88,500 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $102,787 |
| Electrical Engineer | $106,100 | MO statewide | $123,229 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $77,830 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $90,395 |
| Chemical Engineer | $101,010 | MO statewide | $117,317 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $112,220 | MO statewide | $130,337 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $77,550 | MO statewide | $90,070 |
| Environmental Engineer | $87,360 | MO statewide | $101,463 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $153,670 | MO statewide | $178,479 |
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.
Cape Girardeau at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,047 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $54,870 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Cape Girardeau-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Carbondale, IL – 33.9 mi away (68,540 pop)
- Paducah, KY – 53.1 mi away (49,027 pop)
- Farmington, MO – 57.7 mi away (44,494 pop)
- Poplar Bluff, MO – 60.4 mi away (20,714 pop)
- Murray, KY – 83.6 mi away (20,431 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Cape Girardeau, MO?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Cape Girardeau. The closest is Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO (1.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Three Rivers College (60.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Cape Girardeau?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Cape Girardeau are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($153,670), Aerospace Engineer ($112,220), Electrical Engineer ($106,100). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Missouri statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Carbondale instead of Cape Girardeau?
Carbondale, IL is 33.9 miles from Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau an affordable place to study engineering?
Cape Girardeau’s median household income of $54,870 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cape Girardeau while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Missouri 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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