Best Online Engineering Programs in Forest Grove, OR (2026)
Forest Grove, Oregon has a population of about 26,406. The city’s median household income is $81,998 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Forest Grove, with tuition ranging from $5,040 to $30,138 per year. In the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $170,410 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Forest Grove
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Forest Grove city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Community College | Portland, OR | 19.1 mi | $5,040 - $17,271 | – |
| Portland State University | Portland, OR | 20.5 mi | $11,238 - $30,138 | – |
| Clark College | Vancouver, WA | 23.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clackamas Community College | Oregon City, OR | 29.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mt Hood Community College | Gresham, OR | 34.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Oregon schools on the Oregon engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Forest Grove
Forest Grove is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area (BLS area code 38900). 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 | $104,360 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $99,013 |
| Electrical Engineer | $114,130 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $108,283 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $103,010 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $97,732 |
| Chemical Engineer | $129,930 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $123,273 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,190 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $127,315 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $129,020 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $122,410 |
| Environmental Engineer | $122,290 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $116,025 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $170,410 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $161,679 |
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.
Forest Grove at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,406 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $81,998 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Washington County | 3,533 workers, 447 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Forest Grove-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Hillsboro, OR – 8.4 mi away (105,164 pop)
- Beaverton, OR – 14.6 mi away (97,590 pop)
- Newberg, OR – 16.7 mi away (28,516 pop)
- Tigard, OR – 17.3 mi away (51,902 pop)
- Tualatin, OR – 19.2 mi away (27,545 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Forest Grove, OR?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Forest Grove. The closest is Portland Community College in Portland, OR (19.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mt Hood Community College (34.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Forest Grove?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Forest Grove are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($170,410), Aerospace Engineer ($134,190), Chemical Engineer ($129,930). 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 Hillsboro instead of Forest Grove?
Hillsboro, OR is 8.4 miles from Forest Grove 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 Forest Grove an affordable place to study engineering?
Forest Grove’s median household income of $81,998 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Forest Grove 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.