Best Online Engineering Programs in Portland, OR (2026)
Portland, Oregon has a population of about 642,715. The city’s median household income is $88,792 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 53.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Portland, 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 Portland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Portland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland State University | Portland, OR | 2.5 mi | $11,238 - $30,138 | – |
| Clark College | Vancouver, WA | 6.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Portland Community College | Portland, OR | 7.8 mi | $5,040 - $17,271 | – |
| Mt Hood Community College | Gresham, OR | 12.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clackamas Community College | Oregon City, OR | 15.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Oregon schools on the Oregon engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Portland
Portland 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.
Portland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $88,792 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 53.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Multnomah County | 8,784 workers, 1,104 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Portland-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Milwaukie, OR – 6.5 mi away (20,929 pop)
- Vancouver, WA – 7.2 mi away (174,826 pop)
- Lake Oswego, OR – 8.9 mi away (38,945 pop)
- Beaverton, OR – 9.1 mi away (97,590 pop)
- Tigard, OR – 10.1 mi away (51,902 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Portland, OR?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Portland. The closest is Portland State University in Portland, OR (2.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Clackamas Community College (15.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Portland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Portland 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 Milwaukie instead of Portland?
Milwaukie, OR is 6.5 miles from Portland 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 Portland an affordable place to study engineering?
Portland’s median household income of $88,792 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portland 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.