Best Online Engineering Programs in Brookings, SD (2026)
Brookings, South Dakota has a population of about 23,710. The city’s median household income is $61,979 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 49.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 10 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Brookings, with tuition ranging from $39,190 to $53,169 per year for indexed programs. In South Dakota, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $152,540 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Brookings
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 10 schools in our directory that offer engineering programs near Brookings. Distances are calculated from Brookings city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State University | Brookings, SD | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Area Technical College | Watertown, SD | 44.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls, SD | 50.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California Intercontinental University | Sioux Falls, SD | 52.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | ✓ |
| Augustana University | Sioux Falls, SD | 53.8 mi | $39,190 - $53,169 | – |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Granite Falls, MN | 69.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mitchell Technical College | Mitchell, SD | 73.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest Iowa Community College | Sheldon, IA | 89.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dordt University | Sioux Center, IA | 89.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwestern College | Orange City, IA | 97.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Dakota schools on the South Dakota engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Brookings
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (South Dakota, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $95,110 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,930 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $90,590 |
| Chemical Engineer | N/A |
| Aerospace Engineer | N/A |
| Biomedical Engineer | N/A |
| Environmental Engineer | $91,320 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $152,540 |
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.
Brookings at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,710 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,979 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 49.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Engineering-related employment in Brookings County | 294 workers, 37 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Brookings-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Watertown, SD – 45.7 mi away (21,788 pop)
- Sioux Falls, SD – 52.9 mi away (177,629 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering schools are near Brookings, SD?
Our directory has 10 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Brookings. The closest is South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northwestern College (97.1 miles). 1 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles in South Dakota?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles in South Dakota are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($152,540), Electrical Engineer ($101,930), Civil Engineer ($95,110). Wages for Brookings workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Watertown instead of Brookings?
Watertown, SD is 45.7 miles from Brookings 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 Brookings an affordable place to study engineering?
Brookings’s median household income of $61,979 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Brookings while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and South Dakota 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 Dakota
- Main Engineering Degree Guide
- Engineering Programs by State
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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