Best Online Engineering Programs in Burlington, NC (2026)
Burlington, North Carolina has a population of about 58,599. The city’s median household income is $54,941 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Burlington, with tuition ranging from $2,528 to $22,570 per year. In the Burlington, NC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $139,230 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Burlington
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Burlington city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elon University | Elon, NC | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alamance Community College | Graham, NC | 6.3 mi | $2,528 - $22,570 | – |
| North Carolina A & T State University | Greensboro, NC | 16.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Guilford Technical Community College | Jamestown, NC | 25.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rockingham Community College | Wentworth, NC | 26.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Burlington
Burlington is part of the Burlington, NC metro area (BLS area code 15500). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $91,590 | Burlington, NC | $98,273 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,250 | Burlington, NC | $112,929 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $85,960 | Burlington, NC | $92,232 |
| Chemical Engineer | $109,940 | NC statewide | $117,961 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $117,190 | NC statewide | $125,740 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $107,070 | NC statewide | $114,882 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,040 | NC statewide | $111,631 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $139,230 | Burlington, NC | $149,388 |
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.
Burlington at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,599 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $54,941 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Alamance County | 228 workers, 56 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Burlington-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Greensboro, NC – 20.1 mi away (331,894 pop)
- Carrboro, NC – 23.7 mi away (21,265 pop)
- Chapel Hill, NC – 26.2 mi away (59,246 pop)
- High Point, NC – 29.9 mi away (177,412 pop)
- Asheboro, NC – 31.5 mi away (39,496 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Burlington, NC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Burlington. The closest is Elon University in Elon, NC (2.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Rockingham Community College (26.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Burlington?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Burlington are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($139,230), Aerospace Engineer ($117,190), Chemical Engineer ($109,940). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with North Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Greensboro instead of Burlington?
Greensboro, NC is 20.1 miles from Burlington 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 Burlington an affordable place to study engineering?
Burlington’s median household income of $54,941 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Burlington while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina 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
- Online Engineering Programs in North Carolina
- Main Engineering Degree Guide
- Engineering Programs by State
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