Best Online Engineering Programs in Plum, PA (2026)
Plum, Pennsylvania has a population of about 26,873. The city’s median household income is $98,475 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 43.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Plum. 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 Plum
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Plum city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington | New Kensington, PA | 4.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | 10.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Pittsburgh, PA | 11.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Point Park University | Pittsburgh, PA | 14.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics | West Mifflin, PA | 14.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Plum
Plum 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.
Plum at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,873 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $98,475 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 43.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 94.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Allegheny County | 11,743 workers, 776 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Plum-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Monroeville, PA – 5.3 mi away (27,953 pop)
- Murrysville, PA – 6.3 mi away (20,042 pop)
- Pittsburgh, PA – 12.7 mi away (1,722,206 pop)
- Bethel Park, PA – 19.5 mi away (31,911 pop)
- Monessen, PA – 25.2 mi away (63,467 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Plum, PA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Plum. The closest is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington in New Kensington, PA (4.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (14.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Plum?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Plum 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 Monroeville instead of Plum?
Monroeville, PA is 5.3 miles from Plum 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 Plum an affordable place to study engineering?
Plum’s median household income of $98,475 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Plum 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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