Best Online Engineering Programs in Forest City, NC (2026)
Forest City, North Carolina has a population of about 7,368. The city’s median household income is $35,897 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 17.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Forest City, with tuition ranging from $2,602 to $24,565 per year. In North Carolina, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $163,430 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Forest City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Forest City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isothermal Community College | Spindale, NC | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC | 21.7 mi | $2,602 - $8,746 | – |
| McDowell Technical Community College | Marion, NC | 22.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of South Carolina-Upstate | Spartanburg, SC | 23.7 mi | $11,583 - $24,565 | – |
| Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg, SC | 25.7 mi | $5,046 - $15,031 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Forest City
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (North Carolina, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $93,590 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,760 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,990 |
| Chemical Engineer | $109,940 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $117,190 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $107,070 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,040 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $163,430 |
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.
Forest City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,368 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $35,897 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 17.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Engineering-related employment in Rutherford County | 65 workers, 18 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Forest City-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Shelby, NC – 18.8 mi away (27,288 pop)
- Gaffney, SC – 21.6 mi away (21,692 pop)
- Spartanburg, SC – 27.1 mi away (185,031 pop)
- Greer, SC – 34.4 mi away (29,000 pop)
- Lincolnton, NC – 36.9 mi away (23,264 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Forest City, NC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Forest City. The closest is Isothermal Community College in Spindale, NC (2.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Spartanburg Community College (25.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles in North Carolina?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles in North Carolina are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($163,430), Aerospace Engineer ($117,190), Chemical Engineer ($109,940). Wages for Forest City workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Shelby instead of Forest City?
Shelby, NC is 18.8 miles from Forest City 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 Forest City an affordable place to study engineering?
Forest City’s median household income of $35,897 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Forest City 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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