Best Online Engineering Programs in Bend, OR (2026)
Bend, Oregon has a population of about 101,472. The city’s median household income is $88,792 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 51.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Bend. In the Bend, OR metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $149,120 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Bend
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Bend city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Oregon Community College | Bend, OR | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lane Community College | Eugene, OR | 85.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Linn-Benton Community College | Albany, OR | 97.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Oregon schools on the Oregon engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Bend
Bend is part of the Bend, OR metro area (BLS area code 13460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Oregon statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $99,790 | Bend, OR | $96,322 |
| Electrical Engineer | $119,190 | Bend, OR | $115,048 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,290 | Bend, OR | $94,875 |
| Chemical Engineer | $115,800 | OR statewide | $111,776 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $112,460 | OR statewide | $108,552 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $129,020 | OR statewide | $124,537 |
| Environmental Engineer | $140,590 | Bend, OR | $135,705 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $149,120 | Bend, OR | $143,938 |
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.
Bend at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,472 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $88,792 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 51.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Deschutes County | 902 workers, 255 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bend-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Redmond, OR – 15.7 mi away (30,967 pop)
- Springfield, OR – 83.0 mi away (61,893 pop)
- Lebanon, OR – 85.6 mi away (21,165 pop)
- Eugene, OR – 89.8 mi away (263,860 pop)
- Albany, OR – 96.8 mi away (60,463 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Bend, OR?
Our directory lists 3 engineering programs within 100 miles of Bend. The closest is Central Oregon Community College in Bend, OR (1.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Linn-Benton Community College (97.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Bend?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Bend are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($149,120), Environmental Engineer ($140,590), Biomedical Engineer ($129,020). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Oregon statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Redmond instead of Bend?
Redmond, OR is 15.7 miles from Bend 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 Bend an affordable place to study engineering?
Bend’s median household income of $88,792 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bend while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Oregon 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.