Best Online Engineering Programs in Lincoln, NE (2026)
Lincoln, Nebraska has a population of about 291,932. The city’s median household income is $69,991 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 10 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Lincoln, with tuition ranging from $6,780 to $18,102 per year for indexed programs. In the Lincoln, NE metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $132,470 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Lincoln
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 10 schools in our directory that offer engineering programs near Lincoln. Distances are calculated from Lincoln city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE | 1.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln, NE | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Doane University | Crete, NE | 19.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bellevue University | Bellevue, NE | 46.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan Community College Area | Omaha, NE | 51.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA | 56.0 mi | $6,780 - $18,102 | – |
| Central Community College | Grand Island, NE | 88.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Community College | Norfolk, NE | 93.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highland Community College | Highland, KS | 99.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville, MO | 99.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Nebraska schools on the Nebraska engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Lincoln
Lincoln is part of the Lincoln, NE metro area (BLS area code 30700). 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 | $86,540 | Lincoln, NE | $94,476 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,900 | Lincoln, NE | $107,969 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $81,990 | Lincoln, NE | $89,509 |
| Chemical Engineer | $126,330 | Lincoln, NE | $137,915 |
| Aerospace Engineer | N/A | NE statewide | – |
| Biomedical Engineer | $72,590 | NE statewide | $79,247 |
| Environmental Engineer | $101,350 | Lincoln, NE | $110,644 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $132,470 | Lincoln, NE | $144,618 |
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.
Lincoln at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $69,991 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Lancaster County | 1,770 workers, 158 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lincoln-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Fremont, NE – 44.8 mi away (27,598 pop)
- Bellevue, NE – 45.5 mi away (53,505 pop)
- Omaha, NE – 45.6 mi away (792,463 pop)
- Council Bluffs, IA – 52.3 mi away (62,524 pop)
- Columbus, NE – 55.7 mi away (22,846 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering schools are near Lincoln, NE?
Our directory has 10 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Lincoln. The closest is University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, NE (1.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northwest Missouri State University (99.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Lincoln?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Lincoln are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($132,470), Chemical Engineer ($126,330), Environmental Engineer ($101,350). 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 Fremont instead of Lincoln?
Fremont, NE is 44.8 miles from Lincoln 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 Lincoln an affordable place to study engineering?
Lincoln’s median household income of $69,991 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lincoln 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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