Best Online Engineering Programs in Hilton Head Island, SC (2026)
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina has a population of about 37,805. The city’s median household income is $96,715 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 55.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Hilton Head Island, 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 Hilton Head Island
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Hilton Head Island city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah State University | Savannah, GA | 21.6 mi | $5,498 - $17,185 | – |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 21.7 mi | $40,595 - $59,670 | – |
| Savannah Technical College | Savannah, GA | 24.3 mi | $3,072 - $14,545 | – |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA | 62.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ogeechee Technical College | Statesboro, GA | 64.0 mi | $3,170 - $15,527 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island 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.
Hilton Head Island at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,805 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $96,715 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 55.3% | 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 Hilton Head Island-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Beaufort, SC – 18.1 mi away (53,086 pop)
- Savannah, GA – 27.4 mi away (280,692 pop)
- Pooler, GA – 30.1 mi away (23,744 pop)
- Hinesville, GA – 56.9 mi away (51,673 pop)
- Statesboro, GA – 62.3 mi away (40,141 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Hilton Head Island, SC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Hilton Head Island. The closest is Savannah State University in Savannah, GA (21.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Ogeechee Technical College (64.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Hilton Head Island?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Hilton Head Island 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 Beaufort instead of Hilton Head Island?
Beaufort, SC is 18.1 miles from Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island an affordable place to study engineering?
Hilton Head Island’s median household income of $96,715 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hilton Head Island 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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