Best Online Engineering Programs in Clayton, NC (2026)
Clayton, North Carolina has a population of about 28,043. The city’s median household income is $73,348 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Clayton, with tuition ranging from $2,336 to $16,798 per year. In the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $165,420 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Clayton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Clayton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnston Community College | Smithfield, NC | 12.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | 14.4 mi | $2,336 - $16,798 | – |
| Miller-Motte College-Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 14.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 15.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 32.6 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 Clayton
Clayton is part of the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area (BLS area code 39580). 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 | $98,030 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $99,827 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,900 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $133,299 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,750 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $104,633 |
| Chemical Engineer | $106,180 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $108,126 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $117,190 | NC statewide | $119,338 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $109,120 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $111,120 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,040 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $105,947 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $165,420 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $168,452 |
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.
Clayton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,043 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $73,348 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Johnston County | 327 workers, 88 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Clayton-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Garner, NC – 10.0 mi away (28,776 pop)
- Smithfield, NC – 11.4 mi away (30,375 pop)
- Raleigh, NC – 16.3 mi away (1,005,457 pop)
- Fuquay-Varina, NC – 19.2 mi away (25,865 pop)
- Wake Forest, NC – 21.3 mi away (40,112 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Clayton, NC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Clayton. The closest is Johnston Community College in Smithfield, NC (12.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Durham Technical Community College (32.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Clayton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Clayton are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($165,420), Electrical Engineer ($130,900), 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 Garner instead of Clayton?
Garner, NC is 10.0 miles from Clayton 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 Clayton an affordable place to study engineering?
Clayton’s median household income of $73,348 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Clayton 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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