Best Online Engineering Programs in Erie, PA (2026)
Erie, Pennsylvania has a population of about 94,156. The city’s median household income is $43,397 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Erie, with tuition ranging from $7,272 to $16,744 per year. In the Erie, PA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $148,880 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Erie
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Erie city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gannon University | Erie, PA | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Erie Institute of Technology Inc | Erie, PA | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College | Erie, PA | 4.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Ashtabula | Ashtabula, OH | 41.9 mi | $7,272 - $16,744 | – |
| Jamestown Community College | Jamestown, NY | 43.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Erie
Erie is part of the Erie, PA metro area (BLS area code 21500). 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 | $92,730 | Erie, PA | $101,901 |
| Electrical Engineer | $106,150 | Erie, PA | $116,648 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $103,850 | Erie, PA | $114,121 |
| Chemical Engineer | $107,040 | PA statewide | $117,626 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $108,510 | PA statewide | $119,242 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $97,900 | PA statewide | $107,582 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,880 | PA statewide | $104,264 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $148,880 | Erie, PA | $163,604 |
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.
Erie at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,156 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $43,397 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Erie County | 651 workers, 69 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Erie-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Meadville, PA – 32.6 mi away (23,131 pop)
- Ashtabula, OH – 40.7 mi away (28,097 pop)
- Jamestown, NY – 42.9 mi away (41,492 pop)
- Dunkirk, NY – 45.4 mi away (24,248 pop)
- Mentor, OH – 71.3 mi away (46,732 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Erie, PA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Erie. The closest is Gannon University in Erie, PA (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Jamestown Community College (43.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Erie?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Erie are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($148,880), 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 Meadville instead of Erie?
Meadville, PA is 32.6 miles from Erie 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 Erie an affordable place to study engineering?
Erie’s median household income of $43,397 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Erie 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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