Boone, North Carolina has a population of about 19,534. The city’s median household income is $28,633 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 53.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Boone, with tuition ranging from $2,537 to $15,625 per year. In North Carolina, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $163,430 annually (BLS, May 2024).
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Boone city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State University | Boone, NC | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | Hudson, NC | 26.6 mi | $2,537 - $15,625 | – |
| Mayland Community College | Spruce Pine, NC | 27.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Piedmont Community College | Morganton, NC | 33.8 mi | $2,650 - $15,451 | – |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton | Elizabethton, TN | 34.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina engineering page.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (North Carolina, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $93,590 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,760 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,990 |
| Chemical Engineer | $109,940 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $117,190 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $107,070 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,040 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $163,430 |
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.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,534 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $28,633 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 53.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Engineering-related employment in Watauga County | 108 workers, 40 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Boone. The closest is Appalachian State University in Boone, NC (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton (34.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles in North Carolina are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($163,430), Aerospace Engineer ($117,190), Chemical Engineer ($109,940). Wages for Boone workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Hickory, NC is 37.7 miles from Boone 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.
Boone’s median household income of $28,633 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Boone while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
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.
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in North Carolina (2026)