Best Online Engineering Programs in Fairborn, OH (2026)
Fairborn, Ohio has a population of about 34,506. The city’s median household income is $55,966 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Fairborn, with tuition ranging from $11,188 to $23,255 per year. In the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $158,790 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Fairborn
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Fairborn city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force Institute of Technology-Graduate School of Engineering & Management | Wright-Patterson AFB, OH | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wright State University-Main Campus | Dayton, OH | 2.6 mi | $11,188 - $23,255 | – |
| Central State University | Wilberforce, OH | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Dayton | Dayton, OH | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | 11.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Ohio schools on the Ohio engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Fairborn
Fairborn is part of the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area (BLS area code 19430). 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 | $98,870 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $106,656 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,600 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $110,680 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,270 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $106,009 |
| Chemical Engineer | $120,040 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $129,493 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $132,970 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $143,441 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $109,160 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $117,756 |
| Environmental Engineer | $108,970 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $117,551 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $158,790 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $171,294 |
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.
Fairborn at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,506 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,966 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Greene County | 2,623 workers, 101 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fairborn-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Beavercreek, OH – 5.6 mi away (46,376 pop)
- Riverside, OH – 5.9 mi away (24,981 pop)
- Huber Heights, OH – 6.5 mi away (38,019 pop)
- Xenia, OH – 9.2 mi away (26,238 pop)
- Dayton, OH – 10.0 mi away (718,772 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Fairborn, OH?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Fairborn. The closest is Air Force Institute of Technology-Graduate School of Engineering & Management in Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (2.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Sinclair Community College (11.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Fairborn?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Fairborn are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($158,790), Aerospace Engineer ($132,970), Chemical Engineer ($120,040). 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 Beavercreek instead of Fairborn?
Beavercreek, OH is 5.6 miles from Fairborn 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 Fairborn an affordable place to study engineering?
Fairborn’s median household income of $55,966 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fairborn 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.