Best Online Engineering Programs in Wake Forest, NC (2026)
Wake Forest, North Carolina has a population of about 51,199. The city’s median household income is $120,777 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 57.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Wake Forest, with tuition ranging from $2,336 to $16,798 per year. In the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $165,420 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Wake Forest
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Wake Forest city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miller-Motte College-Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 9.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh, NC | 14.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 20.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | 24.1 mi | $2,336 - $16,798 | – |
| Duke University | Durham, NC | 24.2 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 Wake Forest
Wake Forest is part of the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area (BLS area code 39580). 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 | $98,030 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $99,827 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,900 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $133,299 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,750 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $104,633 |
| Chemical Engineer | $106,180 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $108,126 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $117,190 | NC statewide | $119,338 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $109,120 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $111,120 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,040 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $105,947 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $165,420 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $168,452 |
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.
Wake Forest at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,199 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $120,777 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 57.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Wake County | 16,638 workers, 1,534 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Wake Forest-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Raleigh, NC – 11.6 mi away (1,005,457 pop)
- Garner, NC – 19.5 mi away (28,776 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 20.0 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Cary, NC – 21.0 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Clayton, NC – 21.3 mi away (20,260 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Wake Forest, NC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Wake Forest. The closest is Miller-Motte College-Raleigh in Raleigh, NC (9.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Duke University (24.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Wake Forest?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Wake Forest are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($165,420), Electrical Engineer ($130,900), Aerospace Engineer ($117,190). 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 Raleigh instead of Wake Forest?
Raleigh, NC is 11.6 miles from Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest an affordable place to study engineering?
Wake Forest’s median household income of $120,777 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wake Forest 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)