Best Online Engineering Programs in Kinston, NC (2026)
Kinston, North Carolina has a population of about 19,576. The city’s median household income is $35,250 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 16.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 35 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Kinston, with tuition ranging from $2,022 to $15,189 per year for indexed programs. 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 Kinston
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 35 schools in our directory that offer engineering programs near Kinston. Distances are calculated from Kinston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir Community College | Kinston, NC | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wayne Community College | Goldsboro, NC | 21.7 mi | $2,524 - $11,311 | – |
| Pitt Community College | Winterville, NC | 21.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | 26.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Craven Community College | New Bern, NC | 30.0 mi | $2,022 - $12,205 | – |
| Wilson Community College | Wilson, NC | 35.8 mi | $2,572 - $13,807 | – |
| Coastal Carolina Community College | Jacksonville, NC | 36.7 mi | $2,462 - $15,130 | – |
| Beaufort County Community College | Washington, NC | 39.6 mi | $2,540 - $15,189 | – |
| Edgecombe Community College | Tarboro, NC | 41.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnston Community College | Smithfield, NC | 44.5 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 Kinston
| 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.
Kinston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,576 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $35,250 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 16.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Engineering-related employment in Lenoir County | 29 workers, 10 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Kinston-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Goldsboro, NC – 22.5 mi away (59,969 pop)
- Greenville, NC – 25.3 mi away (127,464 pop)
- New Bern, NC – 31.9 mi away (51,491 pop)
- Wilson, NC – 36.7 mi away (49,644 pop)
- Jacksonville, NC – 39.1 mi away (101,865 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering schools are near Kinston, NC?
Our directory has 35 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Kinston. The closest is Lenoir Community College in Kinston, NC (3.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Johnston Community College (44.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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 Kinston workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Goldsboro instead of Kinston?
Goldsboro, NC is 22.5 miles from Kinston 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 Kinston an affordable place to study engineering?
Kinston’s median household income of $35,250 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Kinston 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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