Best Online Engineering Programs in Sumter, SC (2026)
Sumter, South Carolina has a population of about 43,065. The city’s median household income is $53,071 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Sumter, with tuition ranging from $5,715 to $29,957 per year. In the Sumter, SC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $135,150 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Sumter
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Sumter city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | 1.3 mi | $5,715 - $13,295 | – |
| Benedict College | Columbia, SC | 36.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg, SC | 37.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Florence-Darlington Technical College | Florence, SC | 39.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Carolina State University | Orangeburg, SC | 40.1 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 Sumter
Sumter is part of the Sumter, SC metro area (BLS area code 44940). 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 | $83,010 | Sumter, SC | $94,330 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,440 | Sumter, SC | $115,273 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $90,790 | Sumter, SC | $103,170 |
| Chemical Engineer | $104,660 | SC statewide | $118,932 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $131,820 | SC statewide | $149,795 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $96,350 | SC statewide | $109,489 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,040 | SC statewide | $112,545 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $135,150 | Sumter, SC | $153,580 |
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.
Sumter at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,065 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,071 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Sumter County | 172 workers, 32 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Sumter-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Columbia, SC – 30.1 mi away (571,249 pop)
- Florence, SC – 38.5 mi away (92,614 pop)
- Orangeburg, SC – 41.2 mi away (31,666 pop)
- Lexington, SC – 47.5 mi away (20,988 pop)
- Lancaster, SC – 58.6 mi away (25,691 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Sumter, SC?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Sumter. The closest is Central Carolina Technical College in Sumter, SC (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South Carolina State University (40.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Sumter?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Sumter are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($135,150), Aerospace Engineer ($131,820), 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 Columbia instead of Sumter?
Columbia, SC is 30.1 miles from Sumter 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 Sumter an affordable place to study engineering?
Sumter’s median household income of $53,071 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sumter 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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