Best Online Engineering Programs in Schenectady, NY (2026)
Schenectady, New York has a population of about 68,521. The city’s median household income is $56,398 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Schenectady, with tuition ranging from $61,884 to $79,934 per year. In the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $176,500 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Schenectady
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Schenectady city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schenectady County Community College | Schenectady, NY | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Excelsior University | Albany, NY | 7.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University at Albany | Albany, NY | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center | New York, NY | 12.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy, NY | 13.5 mi | $61,884 - $79,934 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New York schools on the New York engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Schenectady
Schenectady is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area (BLS area code 10580). 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 | $101,430 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $101,837 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,440 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $103,855 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $111,940 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $112,390 |
| Chemical Engineer | $124,980 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $125,482 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $129,520 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $130,040 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $117,180 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $117,651 |
| Environmental Engineer | $95,000 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $95,382 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $176,500 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $177,209 |
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.
Schenectady at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,521 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,398 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 99.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Schenectady County | 960 workers, 50 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Schenectady-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Albany, NY – 11.5 mi away (596,419 pop)
- Troy, NY – 13.6 mi away (49,702 pop)
- Amsterdam, NY – 16.4 mi away (21,351 pop)
- Saratoga Springs, NY – 19.8 mi away (66,945 pop)
- Gloversville, NY – 27.2 mi away (27,872 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Schenectady, NY?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Schenectady. The closest is Schenectady County Community College in Schenectady, NY (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (13.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Schenectady?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Schenectady are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($176,500), Aerospace Engineer ($129,520), Chemical Engineer ($124,980). 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 Albany instead of Schenectady?
Albany, NY is 11.5 miles from Schenectady 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 Schenectady an affordable place to study engineering?
Schenectady’s median household income of $56,398 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Schenectady 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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