Best Online Engineering Programs in Beaufort, SC (2026)
Beaufort, South Carolina has a population of about 13,660. The city’s median household income is $59,454 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 38.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Beaufort, with tuition ranging from $3,072 to $59,670 per year. In South Carolina, the top-earning engineering-related role is Aerospace Engineer at a median $131,820 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Beaufort
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Beaufort city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 34.3 mi | $40,595 - $59,670 | – |
| Savannah State University | Savannah, GA | 35.8 mi | $5,498 - $17,185 | – |
| Savannah Technical College | Savannah, GA | 37.7 mi | $3,072 - $14,545 | – |
| Trident Technical College | Charleston, SC | 51.6 mi | $4,564 - $11,453 | – |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA | 62.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Beaufort
Beaufort is part of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro area (BLS area code 25940). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to South Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $91,550 | Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $93,418 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,210 | SC statewide | $106,337 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $105,360 | SC statewide | $107,510 |
| Chemical Engineer | $104,660 | SC statewide | $106,796 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $131,820 | SC statewide | $134,510 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $96,350 | SC statewide | $98,316 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,040 | SC statewide | $101,061 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $130,880 | Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $133,551 |
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.
Beaufort at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,660 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,454 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 38.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Beaufort County | 552 workers, 177 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Beaufort-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Hilton Head Island, SC – 18.1 mi away (75,328 pop)
- Pooler, GA – 39.8 mi away (23,744 pop)
- Savannah, GA – 39.9 mi away (280,692 pop)
- North Charleston, SC – 48.9 mi away (109,298 pop)
- Summerville, SC – 49.2 mi away (49,323 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Beaufort, SC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Beaufort. The closest is Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA (34.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Georgia Southern University (62.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Beaufort?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Beaufort are: Aerospace Engineer ($131,820), Architectural and Engineering Manager ($130,880), Mechanical Engineer ($105,360). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with South Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hilton Head Island instead of Beaufort?
Hilton Head Island, SC is 18.1 miles from Beaufort 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 Beaufort an affordable place to study engineering?
Beaufort’s median household income of $59,454 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Beaufort while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and South Carolina 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 South Carolina
- Main Engineering Degree Guide
- Engineering Programs by State
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