Best Online Engineering Programs in Columbia, SC (2026)
Columbia, South Carolina has a population of about 138,019. The city’s median household income is $55,653 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Columbia, with tuition ranging from $5,715 to $29,957 per year. In the Columbia, SC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $147,060 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Columbia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Columbia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benedict College | Columbia, SC | 6.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Midlands Technical College | West Columbia, SC | 13.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | 31.4 mi | $5,715 - $13,295 | – |
| Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg, SC | 34.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Carolina State University | Orangeburg, SC | 37.3 mi | $11,060 - $29,957 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Columbia
Columbia is part of the Columbia, SC metro area (BLS area code 17900). 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 | $96,070 | Columbia, SC | $102,529 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,350 | Columbia, SC | $108,164 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,580 | Columbia, SC | $104,141 |
| Chemical Engineer | $105,870 | Columbia, SC | $112,988 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $131,820 | SC statewide | $140,683 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $96,350 | SC statewide | $102,828 |
| Environmental Engineer | $80,380 | Columbia, SC | $85,784 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $147,060 | Columbia, SC | $156,948 |
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.
Columbia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,653 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Richland County | 1,997 workers, 218 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Columbia-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Lexington, SC – 18.4 mi away (20,988 pop)
- Sumter, SC – 30.1 mi away (73,468 pop)
- Orangeburg, SC – 37.6 mi away (31,666 pop)
- Lancaster, SC – 48.1 mi away (25,691 pop)
- Aiken, SC – 58.8 mi away (30,937 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Columbia, SC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Columbia. The closest is Benedict College in Columbia, SC (6.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South Carolina State University (37.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Columbia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Columbia are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($147,060), Aerospace Engineer ($131,820), Chemical Engineer ($105,870). 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 Lexington instead of Columbia?
Lexington, SC is 18.4 miles from Columbia 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 Columbia an affordable place to study engineering?
Columbia’s median household income of $55,653 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbia 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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