Best Online Engineering Programs in Bethlehem, PA (2026)
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has a population of about 77,069. The city’s median household income is $66,443 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Bethlehem, with tuition ranging from $5,215 to $77,515 per year. In the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $166,700 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Bethlehem
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Bethlehem city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lehigh University | Bethlehem, PA | 1.4 mi | $62,180 - $77,515 | – |
| Northampton County Area Community College | Bethlehem, PA | 4.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Miller-Motte College-McCann-Allentown | Allentown, PA | 4.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lehigh Career & Technical Institute | Schnecksville, PA | 12.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College | Schnecksville, PA | 13.1 mi | $5,215 - $15,075 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Bethlehem
Bethlehem is part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area (BLS area code 10900). 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 | $97,430 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $97,430 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,590 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $109,590 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $106,590 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $106,590 |
| Chemical Engineer | $109,360 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $109,360 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $108,510 | PA statewide | $108,510 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $97,900 | PA statewide | $97,900 |
| Environmental Engineer | $106,640 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $106,640 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $166,700 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $166,700 |
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.
Bethlehem at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,069 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,443 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.0 (at U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Northampton County | 870 workers, 100 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bethlehem-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Allentown, PA – 6.0 mi away (678,169 pop)
- Easton, PA – 8.7 mi away (26,978 pop)
- East Stroudsburg, PA – 27.8 mi away (56,230 pop)
- Pottstown, PA – 29.8 mi away (109,052 pop)
- Mount Pocono, PA – 34.3 mi away (23,308 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Bethlehem, PA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Bethlehem. The closest is Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lehigh Carbon Community College (13.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Bethlehem?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Bethlehem are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($166,700), Electrical Engineer ($109,590), Chemical Engineer ($109,360). 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 Allentown instead of Bethlehem?
Allentown, PA is 6.0 miles from Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem an affordable place to study engineering?
Bethlehem’s median household income of $66,443 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bethlehem 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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