Best Online Engineering Programs in Rochester, NY (2026)
Rochester, New York has a population of about 209,720. The city’s median household income is $46,628 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Rochester, with tuition ranging from $6,138 to $71,714 per year. In the Rochester, NY metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $159,700 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Rochester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Rochester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe Community College | Rochester, NY | 4.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | 6.6 mi | $57,016 - $71,714 | – |
| Finger Lakes Community College | Canandaigua, NY | 28.1 mi | $6,138 - $19,411 | – |
| Cayuga County Community College | Auburn, NY | 56.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Niagara County Community College | Sanborn, NY | 63.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New York schools on the New York engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Rochester
Rochester is part of the Rochester, NY metro area (BLS area code 40380). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New York statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,030 | Rochester, NY | $100,031 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,260 | Rochester, NY | $108,515 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,510 | Rochester, NY | $102,588 |
| Chemical Engineer | $132,480 | Rochester, NY | $136,577 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $125,270 | NY statewide | $129,144 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $104,820 | Rochester, NY | $108,062 |
| Environmental Engineer | $98,170 | Rochester, NY | $101,206 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $159,700 | Rochester, NY | $164,639 |
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.
Rochester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $46,628 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Monroe County | 5,344 workers, 315 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rochester-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Brockport, NY – 16.6 mi away (20,142 pop)
- Geneva, NY – 38.3 mi away (29,371 pop)
- Lockport, NY – 54.4 mi away (34,859 pop)
- Auburn, NY – 55.3 mi away (31,263 pop)
- Oswego, NY – 59.4 mi away (38,208 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Rochester, NY?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Rochester. The closest is Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY (4.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Niagara County Community College (63.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Rochester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Rochester are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($159,700), Chemical Engineer ($132,480), Aerospace Engineer ($125,270). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New York statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Brockport instead of Rochester?
Brockport, NY is 16.6 miles from Rochester 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 Rochester an affordable place to study engineering?
Rochester’s median household income of $46,628 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rochester while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New York 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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