Best Online Engineering Programs in Chapel Hill, NC (2026)
Chapel Hill, North Carolina has a population of about 59,889. The city’s median household income is $85,825 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 77.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Chapel Hill, with tuition ranging from $2,528 to $22,570 per year. In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $165,760 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Chapel Hill
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Chapel Hill city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University | Durham, NC | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alamance Community College | Graham, NC | 20.3 mi | $2,528 - $22,570 | – |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 23.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Miller-Motte College-Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 26.1 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 Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area (BLS area code 20500). 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 | $92,670 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $94,949 |
| Electrical Engineer | $112,090 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $114,846 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,560 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $104,057 |
| Chemical Engineer | $114,120 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $116,926 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $117,190 | NC statewide | $120,072 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $103,270 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $105,809 |
| Environmental Engineer | $118,550 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $121,465 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $165,760 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $169,836 |
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.
Chapel Hill at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,889 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $85,825 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 77.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Orange County | 716 workers, 130 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chapel Hill-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Carrboro, NC – 2.7 mi away (21,265 pop)
- Durham, NC – 8.4 mi away (400,379 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 13.0 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Cary, NC – 16.0 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Apex, NC – 17.0 mi away (47,349 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Chapel Hill, NC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Chapel Hill. The closest is Duke University in Durham, NC (7.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Miller-Motte College-Raleigh (26.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Chapel Hill?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Chapel Hill are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($165,760), Environmental Engineer ($118,550), Aerospace Engineer ($117,190). 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 Carrboro instead of Chapel Hill?
Carrboro, NC is 2.7 miles from Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill an affordable place to study engineering?
Chapel Hill’s median household income of $85,825 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chapel Hill 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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