Best Online Engineering Programs in Grand Forks, ND (2026)
Grand Forks, North Dakota has a population of about 58,882. The city’s median household income is $63,838 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 39.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Grand Forks. In the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $149,990 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Grand Forks
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Grand Forks city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, ND | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Minnesota-Crookston | Crookston, MN | 23.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northland Community and Technical College | Thief River Falls, MN | 43.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Fargo, ND | 71.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Dakota schools on the North Dakota engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Grand Forks
Grand Forks is part of the Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area (BLS area code 24220). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Dakota statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $98,960 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $114,141 |
| Electrical Engineer | $108,210 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $124,810 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $81,260 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $93,725 |
| Chemical Engineer | $127,970 | ND statewide | $147,601 |
| Aerospace Engineer | N/A | ND statewide | – |
| Biomedical Engineer | $97,520 | ND statewide | $112,480 |
| Environmental Engineer | $85,980 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $99,170 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $149,990 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $172,999 |
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.
Grand Forks at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,882 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,838 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 39.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Grand Forks County | 503 workers, 48 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Grand Forks-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Fargo, ND – 73.2 mi away (202,146 pop)
- West Fargo, ND – 73.4 mi away (34,858 pop)
- Moorhead, MN – 73.8 mi away (42,492 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Grand Forks, ND?
Our directory lists 4 engineering programs within 100 miles of Grand Forks. The closest is University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is North Dakota State University-Main Campus (71.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Grand Forks?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Grand Forks are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($149,990), Chemical Engineer ($127,970), Electrical Engineer ($108,210). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with North Dakota statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Fargo instead of Grand Forks?
Fargo, ND is 73.2 miles from Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks an affordable place to study engineering?
Grand Forks’s median household income of $63,838 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Grand Forks while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Dakota 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 Dakota
- Main Engineering Degree Guide
- Engineering Programs by State
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