Best Online Engineering Programs in Rocky Mount, NC (2026)
Rocky Mount, North Carolina has a population of about 54,175. The city’s median household income is $52,927 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Rocky Mount, with tuition ranging from $1,956 to $13,525 per year. In the Rocky Mount, NC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $136,010 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Rocky Mount
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Rocky Mount city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nash Community College | Rocky Mount, NC | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | 34.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pitt Community College | Winterville, NC | 36.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wayne Community College | Goldsboro, NC | 39.8 mi | $2,524 - $11,311 | – |
| Vance-Granville Community College | Henderson, NC | 41.6 mi | $1,956 - $13,525 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount is part of the Rocky Mount, NC metro area (BLS area code 40580). 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 | $82,750 | Rocky Mount, NC | $94,034 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,300 | Rocky Mount, NC | $115,114 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $96,380 | Rocky Mount, NC | $109,523 |
| Chemical Engineer | $109,940 | NC statewide | $124,932 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $117,190 | NC statewide | $133,170 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $107,070 | NC statewide | $121,670 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,040 | NC statewide | $118,227 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $136,010 | Rocky Mount, NC | $154,557 |
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.
Rocky Mount at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 54,175 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,927 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Nash County | 113 workers, 24 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rocky Mount-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Wilson, NC – 17.7 mi away (49,644 pop)
- Roanoke Rapids, NC – 34.1 mi away (23,546 pop)
- Greenville, NC – 35.2 mi away (127,464 pop)
- Wake Forest, NC – 39.7 mi away (40,112 pop)
- Goldsboro, NC – 41.8 mi away (59,969 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Rocky Mount, NC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Rocky Mount. The closest is Nash Community College in Rocky Mount, NC (5.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Vance-Granville Community College (41.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Rocky Mount?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Rocky Mount are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($136,010), 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 Wilson instead of Rocky Mount?
Wilson, NC is 17.7 miles from Rocky Mount 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 Rocky Mount an affordable place to study engineering?
Rocky Mount’s median household income of $52,927 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rocky Mount 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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