Best Online Engineering Programs in Lincolnton, NC (2026)
Lincolnton, North Carolina has a population of about 11,503. The city’s median household income is $43,294 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 19.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Lincolnton, with tuition ranging from $2,367 to $18,703 per year. In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $167,590 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Lincolnton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Lincolnton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston College | Dallas, NC | 11.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory, NC | 15.6 mi | $2,367 - $18,703 | – |
| Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC | 19.6 mi | $2,602 - $8,746 | – |
| Mitchell Community College | Statesville, NC | 28.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | 29.1 mi | $2,792 - $10,951 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Lincolnton
Lincolnton is part of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area (BLS area code 16740). 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 | $100,040 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $102,816 |
| Electrical Engineer | $114,450 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $117,626 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,990 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $103,792 |
| Chemical Engineer | $109,940 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $112,991 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $125,780 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $129,270 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $120,850 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $124,203 |
| Environmental Engineer | $95,850 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,510 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $167,590 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $172,240 |
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.
Lincolnton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,503 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $43,294 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 19.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Lincoln County | 155 workers, 56 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lincolnton-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Gastonia, NC – 15.8 mi away (178,477 pop)
- Hickory, NC – 19.1 mi away (215,120 pop)
- Cornelius, NC – 20.0 mi away (28,515 pop)
- Huntersville, NC – 21.1 mi away (54,839 pop)
- Shelby, NC – 21.4 mi away (27,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Lincolnton, NC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Lincolnton. The closest is Gaston College in Dallas, NC (11.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Piedmont Community College (29.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Lincolnton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Lincolnton are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($167,590), Aerospace Engineer ($125,780), Biomedical Engineer ($120,850). 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 Gastonia instead of Lincolnton?
Gastonia, NC is 15.8 miles from Lincolnton 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 Lincolnton an affordable place to study engineering?
Lincolnton’s median household income of $43,294 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lincolnton 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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