Best Online Engineering Programs in Cranston, RI (2026)
Cranston, Rhode Island has a population of about 82,632. The city’s median household income is $87,716 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Cranston. In the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $164,570 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Cranston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Cranston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick, RI | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | Providence, RI | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New England Institute of Technology | East Greenwich, RI | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Roger Williams University | Bristol, RI | 14.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bristol Community College | Fall River, MA | 19.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Rhode Island schools on the Rhode Island engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Cranston
Cranston is part of the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area (BLS area code 39300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Rhode Island statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $108,010 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $106,100 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,530 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $102,682 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,390 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,438 |
| Chemical Engineer | $98,160 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $96,424 |
| Aerospace Engineer | N/A | RI statewide | – |
| Biomedical Engineer | $103,140 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $101,316 |
| Environmental Engineer | $106,620 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $104,735 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $164,570 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $161,660 |
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.
Cranston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,632 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $87,716 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Providence County | 2,855 workers, 474 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Cranston-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Warwick, RI – 4.9 mi away (81,579 pop)
- Providence, RI – 5.2 mi away (1,198,789 pop)
- East Providence, RI – 7.2 mi away (47,337 pop)
- Pawtucket, RI – 9.4 mi away (71,427 pop)
- Attleboro, MA – 15.1 mi away (44,434 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Cranston, RI?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Cranston. The closest is Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick, RI (3.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bristol Community College (19.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Cranston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Cranston are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($164,570), Mechanical Engineer ($110,390), Civil Engineer ($108,010). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Rhode Island statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Warwick instead of Cranston?
Warwick, RI is 4.9 miles from Cranston 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 Cranston an affordable place to study engineering?
Cranston’s median household income of $87,716 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cranston while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
- Main Engineering Degree Guide
- Engineering Programs by State
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