Best Online Engineering Programs in Chester, PA (2026)
Chester, Pennsylvania has a population of about 33,209. The city’s median household income is $39,809 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 13.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Chester. In the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $166,850 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Chester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Chester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Widener University | Chester, PA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania Institute of Technology | Media, PA | 4.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Delaware County Community College | Media, PA | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA | 12.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Villanova University | Villanova, PA | 13.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Chester
Chester is part of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area (BLS area code 37980). 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 | $96,630 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $94,181 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,350 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $122,173 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,180 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $99,591 |
| Chemical Engineer | $120,300 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $117,251 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,400 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $125,146 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $97,930 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $95,448 |
| Environmental Engineer | $101,980 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $99,396 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $166,850 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $162,622 |
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.
Chester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,209 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $39,809 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 13.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Delaware County | 1,455 workers, 219 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chester-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Wilmington, DE – 11.3 mi away (71,442 pop)
- Camden, NJ – 15.4 mi away (74,420 pop)
- Philadelphia, PA – 16.9 mi away (5,591,554 pop)
- Norristown, PA – 19.2 mi away (34,370 pop)
- Newark, DE – 23.5 mi away (33,398 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Chester, PA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Chester. The closest is Widener University in Chester, PA (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Villanova University (13.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Chester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Chester are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($166,850), Aerospace Engineer ($128,400), Electrical Engineer ($125,350). 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 Wilmington instead of Chester?
Wilmington, DE is 11.3 miles from Chester 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 Chester an affordable place to study engineering?
Chester’s median household income of $39,809 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chester 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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