Best Online Engineering Programs in Wilmington, NC (2026)
Wilmington, North Carolina has a population of about 118,578. The city’s median household income is $63,900 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 45.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Wilmington, with tuition ranging from $2,462 to $15,130 per year. In the Wilmington, NC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $165,180 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Wilmington
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Wilmington city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington, NC | 4.2 mi | $2,748 - $13,977 | – |
| Coastal Carolina Community College | Jacksonville, NC | 48.2 mi | $2,462 - $15,130 | – |
| Southeastern Community College | Whiteville, NC | 52.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway, SC | 70.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Robeson Community College | Lumberton, NC | 71.5 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 Wilmington
Wilmington is part of the Wilmington, NC metro area (BLS area code 48900). 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 | $92,670 | Wilmington, NC | $96,131 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,310 | Wilmington, NC | $104,056 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,340 | Wilmington, NC | $104,087 |
| Chemical Engineer | $109,940 | NC statewide | $114,046 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $117,190 | NC statewide | $121,566 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $107,070 | NC statewide | $111,068 |
| Environmental Engineer | $119,350 | Wilmington, NC | $123,807 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $165,180 | Wilmington, NC | $171,349 |
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.
Wilmington at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,900 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 45.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in New Hanover County | 1,773 workers, 301 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Wilmington-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Jacksonville, NC – 45.6 mi away (101,865 pop)
- Myrtle Beach, SC – 66.9 mi away (256,079 pop)
- Lumberton, NC – 70.8 mi away (29,681 pop)
- Conway, SC – 70.9 mi away (22,761 pop)
- Havelock, NC – 74.0 mi away (21,083 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Wilmington, NC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Wilmington. The closest is Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC (4.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Robeson Community College (71.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Wilmington?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Wilmington are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($165,180), Environmental Engineer ($119,350), 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 Jacksonville instead of Wilmington?
Jacksonville, NC is 45.6 miles from Wilmington 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 Wilmington an affordable place to study engineering?
Wilmington’s median household income of $63,900 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wilmington 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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