Best Online Engineering Programs in Jacksonville, NC (2026)
Jacksonville, North Carolina has a population of about 73,507. The city’s median household income is $54,069 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Jacksonville, with tuition ranging from $2,022 to $15,130 per year. In the Jacksonville, NC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $157,410 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Jacksonville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Jacksonville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Carolina Community College | Jacksonville, NC | 2.9 mi | $2,462 - $15,130 | – |
| Craven Community College | New Bern, NC | 31.0 mi | $2,022 - $12,205 | – |
| Lenoir Community College | Kinston, NC | 36.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington, NC | 46.3 mi | $2,748 - $13,977 | – |
| Wayne Community College | Goldsboro, NC | 55.7 mi | $2,524 - $11,311 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Jacksonville
Jacksonville is part of the Jacksonville, NC metro area (BLS area code 27340). 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 | $77,670 | Jacksonville, NC | $84,332 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,760 | NC statewide | $117,003 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $106,850 | Jacksonville, NC | $116,015 |
| Chemical Engineer | $109,940 | NC statewide | $119,370 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $117,190 | NC statewide | $127,242 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $107,070 | NC statewide | $116,254 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,040 | NC statewide | $112,964 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $157,410 | Jacksonville, NC | $170,912 |
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.
Jacksonville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,507 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $54,069 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Onslow County | 483 workers, 69 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Jacksonville-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Havelock, NC – 30.7 mi away (21,083 pop)
- New Bern, NC – 31.1 mi away (51,491 pop)
- Morehead City, NC – 37.4 mi away (48,637 pop)
- Kinston, NC – 39.1 mi away (28,072 pop)
- Wilmington, NC – 45.6 mi away (242,770 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Jacksonville, NC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Jacksonville. The closest is Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, NC (2.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wayne Community College (55.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Jacksonville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Jacksonville are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($157,410), Aerospace Engineer ($117,190), Chemical Engineer ($109,940). 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 Havelock instead of Jacksonville?
Havelock, NC is 30.7 miles from Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville an affordable place to study engineering?
Jacksonville’s median household income of $54,069 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jacksonville 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
Back to Best Online Engineering Programs in North Carolina (2026)
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in North Carolina (2026)