Best Online Engineering Programs in Altoona, PA (2026)
Altoona, Pennsylvania has a population of about 43,508. The city’s median household income is $50,171 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 19.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Altoona. In the Altoona, PA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $128,980 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Altoona
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Altoona city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center | Altoona, PA | 0.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona | Altoona, PA | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Aloysius College | Cresson, PA | 11.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Francis University | Loretto, PA | 12.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Juniata College | Huntingdon, PA | 20.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Altoona
Altoona is part of the Altoona, PA metro area (BLS area code 11020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Pennsylvania statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $92,000 | Altoona, PA | $102,793 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,990 | Altoona, PA | $111,721 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $77,350 | Altoona, PA | $86,425 |
| Chemical Engineer | $107,040 | PA statewide | $119,598 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $108,510 | PA statewide | $121,240 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $97,900 | PA statewide | $109,385 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,880 | PA statewide | $106,011 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $128,980 | Altoona, PA | $144,112 |
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.
Altoona at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,508 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,171 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 19.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Blair County | 476 workers, 37 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Altoona-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Johnstown, PA – 30.0 mi away (64,842 pop)
- State College, PA – 34.6 mi away (87,374 pop)
- Indiana, PA – 40.4 mi away (28,820 pop)
- Lewistown, PA – 43.9 mi away (21,854 pop)
- Chambersburg, PA – 56.0 mi away (51,948 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Altoona, PA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Altoona. The closest is Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center in Altoona, PA (0.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Juniata College (20.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Altoona?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Altoona are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($128,980), Aerospace Engineer ($108,510), Chemical Engineer ($107,040). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Pennsylvania statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Johnstown instead of Altoona?
Johnstown, PA is 30.0 miles from Altoona 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 Altoona an affordable place to study engineering?
Altoona’s median household income of $50,171 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Altoona while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Pennsylvania 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.
Related Resources
- Online Engineering Programs in Pennsylvania
- Main Engineering Degree Guide
- Engineering Programs by State
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