Best Online Engineering Programs in Grand Island, NE (2026)
Grand Island, Nebraska has a population of about 52,761. The city’s median household income is $62,439 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Grand Island. In the Grand Island, NE metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $123,950 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Grand Island
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Grand Island city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Community College | Grand Island, NE | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE | 86.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln, NE | 90.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Community College | Norfolk, NE | 91.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Nebraska schools on the Nebraska engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Grand Island
Grand Island is part of the Grand Island, NE metro area (BLS area code 24260). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Nebraska statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $83,790 | Grand Island, NE | $96,644 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,720 | NE statewide | $119,631 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $82,510 | NE statewide | $95,167 |
| Chemical Engineer | $105,560 | NE statewide | $121,753 |
| Aerospace Engineer | N/A | NE statewide | – |
| Biomedical Engineer | $72,590 | NE statewide | $83,725 |
| Environmental Engineer | $91,100 | NE statewide | $105,075 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $123,950 | Grand Island, NE | $142,964 |
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.
Grand Island at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,761 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,439 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Hall County | 111 workers, 9 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Grand Island-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Hastings, NE – 22.5 mi away (24,393 pop)
- Kearney, NE – 40.9 mi away (34,065 pop)
- Columbus, NE – 63.1 mi away (22,846 pop)
- Lincoln, NE – 88.0 mi away (280,741 pop)
- Norfolk, NE – 91.0 mi away (26,921 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Grand Island, NE?
Our directory lists 4 engineering programs within 100 miles of Grand Island. The closest is Central Community College in Grand Island, NE (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northeast Community College (91.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Grand Island?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Grand Island are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($123,950), Chemical Engineer ($105,560), Electrical Engineer ($103,720). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Nebraska statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hastings instead of Grand Island?
Hastings, NE is 22.5 miles from Grand Island 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 Grand Island an affordable place to study engineering?
Grand Island’s median household income of $62,439 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Grand Island while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Nebraska 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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