Best Online Engineering Programs in Omaha, NE (2026)
Omaha, Nebraska has a population of about 488,197. The city’s median household income is $72,708 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Omaha, with tuition ranging from $6,780 to $18,102 per year. In the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Aerospace Engineer at a median $160,630 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Omaha
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Omaha city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue University | Bellevue, NE | 10.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA | 13.1 mi | $6,780 - $18,102 | – |
| Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln, NE | 43.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE | 46.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City, IA | 85.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Nebraska schools on the Nebraska engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Omaha
Omaha is part of the Omaha, NE-IA metro area (BLS area code 36540). 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 | $103,510 | Omaha, NE-IA | $112,633 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,550 | Omaha, NE-IA | $111,589 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $90,580 | Omaha, NE-IA | $98,564 |
| Chemical Engineer | $128,190 | Omaha, NE-IA | $139,489 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $160,630 | Omaha, NE-IA | $174,788 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $72,590 | NE statewide | $78,988 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,120 | Omaha, NE-IA | $107,856 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $135,750 | Omaha, NE-IA | $147,715 |
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.
Omaha at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $72,708 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Douglas County | 4,763 workers, 354 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Omaha-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Bellevue, NE – 9.5 mi away (53,505 pop)
- Council Bluffs, IA – 10.2 mi away (62,524 pop)
- Fremont, NE – 26.1 mi away (27,598 pop)
- Lincoln, NE – 45.6 mi away (280,741 pop)
- Columbus, NE – 69.0 mi away (22,846 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Omaha, NE?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Omaha. The closest is Bellevue University in Bellevue, NE (10.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Western Iowa Tech Community College (85.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Omaha?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Omaha are: Aerospace Engineer ($160,630), Architectural and Engineering Manager ($135,750), Chemical Engineer ($128,190). 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 Bellevue instead of Omaha?
Bellevue, NE is 9.5 miles from Omaha 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 Omaha an affordable place to study engineering?
Omaha’s median household income of $72,708 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Omaha 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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