Best Online Engineering Programs in Salem, OR (2026)
Salem, Oregon has a population of about 176,666. The city’s median household income is $71,900 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Salem, with tuition ranging from $5,040 to $30,138 per year. In the Salem, OR metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $157,540 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Salem
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Salem city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linn-Benton Community College | Albany, OR | 21.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oregon State University | Corvallis, OR | 27.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clackamas Community College | Oregon City, OR | 35.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Portland Community College | Portland, OR | 38.5 mi | $5,040 - $17,271 | – |
| Portland State University | Portland, OR | 43.9 mi | $11,238 - $30,138 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Oregon schools on the Oregon engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Salem
Salem is part of the Salem, OR metro area (BLS area code 41420). 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 | $112,430 | Salem, OR | $108,523 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,790 | Salem, OR | $96,322 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $95,260 | Salem, OR | $91,950 |
| 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 | $130,890 | Salem, OR | $126,342 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $157,540 | Salem, OR | $152,066 |
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.
Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,900 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Marion County | 1,020 workers, 147 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Salem-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Keizer, OR – 5.5 mi away (38,980 pop)
- Woodburn, OR – 17.5 mi away (35,007 pop)
- Albany, OR – 20.7 mi away (60,463 pop)
- McMinnville, OR – 21.5 mi away (41,998 pop)
- Newberg, OR – 26.7 mi away (28,516 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Salem, OR?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Salem. The closest is Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, OR (21.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Portland State University (43.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Salem?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Salem are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($157,540), Environmental Engineer ($130,890), 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 Keizer instead of Salem?
Keizer, OR is 5.5 miles from Salem 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 Salem an affordable place to study engineering?
Salem’s median household income of $71,900 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Salem 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.