Ponca City, Oklahoma has a population of about 24,377. The city’s median household income is $55,270 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Ponca City, with tuition ranging from $6,018 to $21,064 per year. In Oklahoma, the top-earning engineering-related role is Chemical Engineer at a median $160,990 annually (BLS, May 2024).
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Ponca City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | Stillwater, OK | 41.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Meridian Technology Center | Stillwater, OK | 42.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wichita Technical Institute | Wichita, KS | 66.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wichita State University | Wichita, KS | 69.6 mi | $9,322 - $21,064 | – |
| Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | Wichita, KS | 71.9 mi | $6,018 - $16,928 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Oklahoma schools on the Oklahoma engineering page.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Oklahoma, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $99,540 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,200 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $90,510 |
| Chemical Engineer | $160,990 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $109,920 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $117,250 |
| Environmental Engineer | $87,840 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $153,130 |
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.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,377 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,270 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Engineering-related employment in Kay County | 40 workers, 14 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Ponca City. The closest is Oklahoma State University-Main Campus in Stillwater, OK (41.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (71.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles in Oklahoma are: Chemical Engineer ($160,990), Architectural and Engineering Manager ($153,130), Biomedical Engineer ($117,250). Wages for Ponca City workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Stillwater, OK is 40.9 miles from Ponca City 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.
Ponca City’s median household income of $55,270 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ponca City while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Oklahoma public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
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.
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in Oklahoma (2026)