Best Online Engineering Programs in Columbus, OH (2026)
Columbus, Ohio has a population of about 906,480. The city’s median household income is $65,327 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 38.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Columbus. In the Columbus, OH metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $162,410 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Columbus
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Columbus city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus State Community College | Columbus, OH | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus | Columbus, OH | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| DeVry University-Ohio | Columbus, OH | 5.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Otterbein University | Westerville, OH | 10.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ohio University-Lancaster Campus | Lancaster, OH | 27.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Ohio schools on the Ohio engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Columbus
Columbus is part of the Columbus, OH metro area (BLS area code 18140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Ohio statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,990 | Columbus, OH | $102,607 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,900 | Columbus, OH | $104,607 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,860 | Columbus, OH | $102,471 |
| Chemical Engineer | $103,860 | Columbus, OH | $108,754 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,460 | Columbus, OH | $128,230 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $128,220 | Columbus, OH | $134,262 |
| Environmental Engineer | $106,910 | Columbus, OH | $111,948 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $162,410 | Columbus, OH | $170,063 |
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.
Columbus at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,327 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 38.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Franklin County | 11,483 workers, 849 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Columbus-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Upper Arlington, OH – 5.3 mi away (34,997 pop)
- Gahanna, OH – 7.0 mi away (34,956 pop)
- Grove City, OH – 9.4 mi away (39,721 pop)
- Hilliard, OH – 9.6 mi away (34,905 pop)
- Westerville, OH – 10.1 mi away (38,985 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Columbus, OH?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Columbus. The closest is Columbus State Community College in Columbus, OH (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Ohio University-Lancaster Campus (27.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Columbus?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Columbus are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($162,410), Biomedical Engineer ($128,220), Aerospace Engineer ($122,460). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Ohio statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Upper Arlington instead of Columbus?
Upper Arlington, OH is 5.3 miles from Columbus 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 Columbus an affordable place to study engineering?
Columbus’s median household income of $65,327 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbus while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Ohio 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.