Best Online Engineering Programs in Charleston, SC (2026)
Charleston, South Carolina has a population of about 152,014. The city’s median household income is $90,038 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 57.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Charleston, with tuition ranging from $4,564 to $29,957 per year. In the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $168,290 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Charleston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Charleston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trident Technical College | Charleston, SC | 8.9 mi | $4,564 - $11,453 | – |
| South Carolina State University | Orangeburg, SC | 69.6 mi | $11,060 - $29,957 | – |
| Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg, SC | 71.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Denmark Technical College | Denmark, SC | 76.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | 81.0 mi | $5,715 - $13,295 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Charleston
Charleston is part of the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area (BLS area code 16700). 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 | $98,880 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $97,901 |
| Electrical Engineer | $114,880 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $113,743 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $107,140 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $106,079 |
| Chemical Engineer | $104,660 | SC statewide | $103,624 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $131,820 | SC statewide | $130,515 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $96,350 | SC statewide | $95,396 |
| Environmental Engineer | $93,430 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $92,505 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $168,290 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $166,624 |
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.
Charleston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,038 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 57.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.0 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Charleston County | 4,999 workers, 661 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Charleston-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Hanahan, SC – 8.4 mi away (23,439 pop)
- Mount Pleasant, SC – 8.4 mi away (84,170 pop)
- North Charleston, SC – 9.0 mi away (109,298 pop)
- Goose Creek, SC – 12.6 mi away (42,039 pop)
- Summerville, SC – 18.1 mi away (49,323 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Charleston, SC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Charleston. The closest is Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC (8.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Carolina Technical College (81.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Charleston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Charleston are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($168,290), Aerospace Engineer ($131,820), Electrical Engineer ($114,880). 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 Hanahan instead of Charleston?
Hanahan, SC is 8.4 miles from Charleston 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 Charleston an affordable place to study engineering?
Charleston’s median household income of $90,038 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Charleston 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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