Best Online Engineering Programs in Durham, NC (2026)
Durham, North Carolina has a population of about 288,465. The city’s median household income is $79,234 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 55.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Durham, with tuition ranging from $2,336 to $16,798 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 Durham
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Durham city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Duke University | Durham, NC | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 19.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Miller-Motte College-Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 20.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | 25.5 mi | $2,336 - $16,798 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Durham
Durham 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.
Durham at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $79,234 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 55.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Durham County | 4,215 workers, 258 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Durham-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Chapel Hill, NC – 8.4 mi away (59,246 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 10.7 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Carrboro, NC – 10.9 mi away (21,265 pop)
- Cary, NC – 14.6 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Apex, NC – 17.8 mi away (47,349 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Durham, NC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Durham. The closest is Durham Technical Community College in Durham, NC (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wake Technical Community College (25.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Durham?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Durham 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 Chapel Hill instead of Durham?
Chapel Hill, NC is 8.4 miles from Durham 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 Durham an affordable place to study engineering?
Durham’s median household income of $79,234 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Durham 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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