Best Online Engineering Programs in Independence, MO (2026)
Independence, Missouri has a population of about 121,944. The city’s median household income is $59,480 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Independence. In the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $158,050 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Independence
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Independence city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinnacle Career Institute | Kansas City, MO | 12.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 13.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | 23.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg, MO | 39.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS | 49.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Independence
Independence is part of the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area (BLS area code 28140). 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 | $97,310 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $105,200 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,700 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $109,946 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,780 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $108,951 |
| Chemical Engineer | $99,440 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $107,503 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $99,410 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $107,470 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $98,450 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $106,432 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,040 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $101,665 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $158,050 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $170,865 |
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.
Independence at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,480 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Jackson County | 8,759 workers, 392 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Independence-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Blue Springs, MO – 6.6 mi away (54,431 pop)
- Raytown, MO – 8.8 mi away (29,261 pop)
- Liberty, MO – 11.1 mi away (30,614 pop)
- Kansas City, MO – 11.2 mi away (1,590,762 pop)
- Lees Summit, MO – 11.9 mi away (89,467 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Independence, MO?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Independence. The closest is Pinnacle Career Institute in Kansas City, MO (12.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Kansas (49.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Independence?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Independence are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($158,050), Electrical Engineer ($101,700), Mechanical Engineer ($100,780). 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 Blue Springs instead of Independence?
Blue Springs, MO is 6.6 miles from Independence 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 Independence an affordable place to study engineering?
Independence’s median household income of $59,480 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Independence 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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