Best Online Engineering Programs in New Castle, PA (2026)
New Castle, Pennsylvania has a population of about 21,727. The city’s median household income is $41,478 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 15.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of New Castle, with tuition ranging from $10,507 to $51,346 per year. In the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $144,570 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to New Castle
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from New Castle city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | Slippery Rock, PA | 16.6 mi | $10,507 - $24,781 | – |
| Youngstown State University | Youngstown, OH | 17.5 mi | $10,791 - $20,028 | – |
| Community College of Beaver County | Monaca, PA | 23.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Butler County Community College | Butler, PA | 25.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Thiel College | Greenville, PA | 28.6 mi | $36,864 - $51,346 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near New Castle
New Castle is part of the Pittsburgh, PA metro area (BLS area code 38300). 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 | $95,770 | Pittsburgh, PA | $101,130 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,630 | Pittsburgh, PA | $108,374 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,580 | Pittsburgh, PA | $103,041 |
| Chemical Engineer | $133,880 | Pittsburgh, PA | $141,373 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $108,360 | Pittsburgh, PA | $114,424 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $91,370 | Pittsburgh, PA | $96,484 |
| Environmental Engineer | $97,760 | Pittsburgh, PA | $103,231 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $144,570 | Pittsburgh, PA | $152,661 |
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.
New Castle at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,727 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $41,478 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 15.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 94.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Lawrence County | 135 workers, 18 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other New Castle-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Youngstown, OH – 17.2 mi away (372,039 pop)
- Butler, PA – 25.2 mi away (38,588 pop)
- East Liverpool, OH – 27.6 mi away (30,292 pop)
- Warren, OH – 29.8 mi away (39,898 pop)
- Alliance, OH – 40.8 mi away (31,917 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near New Castle, PA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of New Castle. The closest is Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in Slippery Rock, PA (16.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Thiel College (28.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near New Castle?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near New Castle are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($144,570), Chemical Engineer ($133,880), Aerospace Engineer ($108,360). 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 Youngstown instead of New Castle?
Youngstown, OH is 17.2 miles from New Castle 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 New Castle an affordable place to study engineering?
New Castle’s median household income of $41,478 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in New Castle 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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