Best Online Engineering Programs in Jefferson City, MO (2026)
Jefferson City, Missouri has a population of about 42,565. The city’s median household income is $67,205 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Jefferson City, with tuition ranging from $4,104 to $13,483 per year. In the Jefferson City, MO metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $134,530 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Jefferson City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Jefferson City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Technical College of Missouri | Linn, MO | 20.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla, MO | 47.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| State Fair Community College | Sedalia, MO | 59.7 mi | $4,104 - $13,483 | – |
| Moberly Area Community College | Moberly, MO | 60.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| East Central College | Union, MO | 65.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Jefferson City
Jefferson City is part of the Jefferson City, MO metro area (BLS area code 27620). 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 | $86,130 | Jefferson City, MO | $97,875 |
| Electrical Engineer | $94,660 | Jefferson City, MO | $107,568 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $79,230 | Jefferson City, MO | $90,034 |
| Chemical Engineer | $101,010 | MO statewide | $114,784 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $112,220 | MO statewide | $127,523 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $77,550 | MO statewide | $88,125 |
| Environmental Engineer | $87,360 | MO statewide | $99,273 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $134,530 | Jefferson City, MO | $152,875 |
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.
Jefferson City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,565 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,205 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Cole County | 208 workers, 29 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Jefferson City-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Columbia, MO – 27.5 mi away (138,675 pop)
- Rolla, MO – 48.5 mi away (20,692 pop)
- Sedalia, MO – 57.9 mi away (26,302 pop)
- Wentzville, MO – 72.6 mi away (37,395 pop)
- O’Fallon, MO – 80.1 mi away (86,274 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Jefferson City, MO?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Jefferson City. The closest is State Technical College of Missouri in Linn, MO (20.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is East Central College (65.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Jefferson City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Jefferson City are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($134,530), Aerospace Engineer ($112,220), Chemical Engineer ($101,010). 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 Columbia instead of Jefferson City?
Columbia, MO is 27.5 miles from Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City an affordable place to study engineering?
Jefferson City’s median household income of $67,205 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jefferson City 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.
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