Best Online Engineering Programs in Florence, SC (2026)
Florence, South Carolina has a population of about 40,205. The city’s median household income is $56,433 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Florence, with tuition ranging from $5,715 to $13,295 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 Florence
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Florence city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence-Darlington Technical College | Florence, SC | 5.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | 37.5 mi | $5,715 - $13,295 | – |
| Richmond Community College | Hamlet, NC | 50.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway, SC | 52.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Robeson Community College | Lumberton, NC | 56.1 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 Florence
Florence is part of the Florence, SC metro area (BLS area code 22500). 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 | $92,720 | Florence, SC | $106,820 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,800 | Florence, SC | $114,977 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,890 | Florence, SC | $116,233 |
| Chemical Engineer | $104,660 | SC statewide | $120,576 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $131,820 | SC statewide | $151,866 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $96,350 | SC statewide | $111,002 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,040 | SC statewide | $114,101 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $131,810 | Florence, SC | $151,855 |
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.
Florence at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,205 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,433 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Florence County | 205 workers, 30 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Florence-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Sumter, SC – 38.5 mi away (73,468 pop)
- Laurinburg, NC – 43.8 mi away (20,514 pop)
- Conway, SC – 48.5 mi away (22,761 pop)
- Rockingham, NC – 52.6 mi away (24,135 pop)
- Lumberton, NC – 53.8 mi away (29,681 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Florence, SC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Florence. The closest is Florence-Darlington Technical College in Florence, SC (5.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Robeson Community College (56.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Florence?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Florence are: Aerospace Engineer ($131,820), Architectural and Engineering Manager ($131,810), Chemical Engineer ($104,660). 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 Sumter instead of Florence?
Sumter, SC is 38.5 miles from Florence 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 Florence an affordable place to study engineering?
Florence’s median household income of $56,433 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Florence 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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