Rolla, Missouri has a population of about 20,144. The city’s median household income is $42,518 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Rolla. In Missouri, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $153,670 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 Rolla city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla, MO | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| State Technical College of Missouri | Linn, MO | 36.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| East Central College | Union, MO | 54.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Jefferson College | Hillsboro, MO | 68.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mineral Area College | Park Hills, MO | 70.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri engineering page.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Missouri, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $93,020 |
| Electrical Engineer | $106,100 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $91,890 |
| Chemical Engineer | $101,010 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $112,220 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $77,550 |
| Environmental Engineer | $87,360 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $153,670 |
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 | 20,144 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $42,518 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Engineering-related employment in Phelps County | 116 workers, 17 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Rolla. The closest is Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, MO (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mineral Area College (70.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles in Missouri are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($153,670), Aerospace Engineer ($112,220), Electrical Engineer ($106,100). Wages for Rolla workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Jefferson City, MO is 48.5 miles from Rolla 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.
Rolla’s median household income of $42,518 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rolla while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Missouri 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 Missouri (2026)