Best Online Engineering Programs in Charlotte, NC (2026)

Charlotte, North Carolina has a population of about 886,283. The city’s median household income is $78,438 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 47.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Charlotte, with tuition ranging from $2,792 to $15,399 per year. In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $167,590 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).

Closest Engineering Schools to Charlotte

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Charlotte city center.

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina engineering page.

Engineering Wages Near Charlotte

Charlotte is part of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area (BLS area code 16740). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Carolina statewide.

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.

Charlotte at a Glance

Other Charlotte-Area Cities With Engineering Programs

• Matthews, NC – 9.2 mi away (31,495 pop)
• Mint Hill, NC – 10.2 mi away (26,236 pop)
• Huntersville, NC – 13.9 mi away (54,839 pop)
• Indian Trail, NC – 14.2 mi away (38,222 pop)
• Concord, NC – 16.9 mi away (244,273 pop)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited engineering programs are near Charlotte, NC?

Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Charlotte. The closest is Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Stanly Community College (34.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Charlotte?

Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Charlotte are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($167,590), Aerospace Engineer ($125,780), Biomedical Engineer ($120,850). 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 Matthews instead of Charlotte?

Matthews, NC is 9.2 miles from Charlotte 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 Charlotte an affordable place to study engineering?

Charlotte’s median household income of $78,438 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Charlotte 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