Best Online Engineering Programs in Lancaster, PA (2026)
Lancaster, Pennsylvania has a population of about 57,683. The city’s median household income is $63,421 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Lancaster, with tuition ranging from $9,050 to $17,066 per year. In the Lancaster, PA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $136,740 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Lancaster
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Lancaster city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology | Lancaster, PA | 0.7 mi | $9,050 - $17,066 | – |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | Millersville, PA | 4.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lancaster County Career and Technology Center | Willow Street, PA | 4.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lebanon County Area Vocational Technical School | Lebanon, PA | 21.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York | York, PA | 22.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Lancaster
Lancaster is part of the Lancaster, PA metro area (BLS area code 29540). 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 | $88,790 | Lancaster, PA | $90,326 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,160 | Lancaster, PA | $101,892 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $84,970 | Lancaster, PA | $86,439 |
| Chemical Engineer | $107,040 | PA statewide | $108,891 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $108,510 | PA statewide | $110,387 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $97,900 | PA statewide | $99,593 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,880 | PA statewide | $96,521 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $136,740 | Lancaster, PA | $139,105 |
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.
Lancaster at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,683 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,421 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Lancaster County | 4,223 workers, 209 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lancaster-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Lebanon, PA – 21.6 mi away (77,839 pop)
- York, PA – 23.4 mi away (232,796 pop)
- Reading, PA – 28.5 mi away (264,736 pop)
- Harrisburg, PA – 34.7 mi away (438,995 pop)
- Pottstown, PA – 37.6 mi away (109,052 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Lancaster, PA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Lancaster. The closest is Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster, PA (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York (22.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Lancaster?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Lancaster are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($136,740), 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 Lebanon instead of Lancaster?
Lebanon, PA is 21.6 miles from Lancaster 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 Lancaster an affordable place to study engineering?
Lancaster’s median household income of $63,421 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lancaster 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
Back to Best Online Engineering Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)