Best Online Engineering Programs in Paterson, NJ (2026)
Paterson, New Jersey has a population of about 157,660. The city’s median household income is $53,766 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 12.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Paterson, with tuition ranging from $4,757 to $15,317 per year. In the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $179,110 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Paterson
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Paterson city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passaic County Community College | Paterson, NJ | 0.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences | Paterson, NJ | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bergen Community College | Paramus, NJ | 4.6 mi | $4,757 - $15,317 | – |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | Teaneck, NJ | 7.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastwick College-Nutley | Nutley, NJ | 7.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New Jersey schools on the New Jersey engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Paterson
Paterson is part of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area (BLS area code 35620). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New Jersey statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $106,130 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $94,254 |
| Electrical Engineer | $127,160 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $112,931 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $111,270 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $98,819 |
| Chemical Engineer | $122,660 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $108,934 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $135,530 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $120,364 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $115,080 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $102,202 |
| Environmental Engineer | $105,040 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $93,286 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $179,110 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $159,067 |
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.
Paterson at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,766 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 12.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 112.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Passaic County | 1,066 workers, 123 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Paterson-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Elmwood Park, NJ – 2.3 mi away (20,295 pop)
- Fair Lawn, NJ – 2.8 mi away (33,453 pop)
- Clifton, NJ – 3.6 mi away (85,845 pop)
- Garfield, NJ – 3.7 mi away (31,876 pop)
- Passaic, NJ – 4.3 mi away (70,635 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Paterson, NJ?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Paterson. The closest is Passaic County Community College in Paterson, NJ (0.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Eastwick College-Nutley (7.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Paterson?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Paterson are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($179,110), Aerospace Engineer ($135,530), Electrical Engineer ($127,160). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New Jersey statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Elmwood Park instead of Paterson?
Elmwood Park, NJ is 2.3 miles from Paterson 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 Paterson an affordable place to study engineering?
Paterson’s median household income of $53,766 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Paterson while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New Jersey 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
Back to Best Online Engineering Programs in New Jersey (2026)
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in New Jersey (2026)