Best Online Engineering Programs in Chattanooga, TN (2026)
Chattanooga, Tennessee has a population of about 182,832. The city’s median household income is $61,028 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Chattanooga, with tuition ranging from $10,144 to $37,875 per year. In the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $152,800 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Chattanooga
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Chattanooga city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga, TN | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN | 3.1 mi | $10,144 - $23,563 | – |
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale, TN | 11.3 mi | $25,590 - $37,875 | – |
| Cleveland State Community College | Cleveland, TN | 22.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Rome, GA | 58.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Chattanooga
Chattanooga is part of the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area (BLS area code 16860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Tennessee statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,440 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $106,492 |
| Electrical Engineer | $119,770 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $130,896 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $103,670 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $113,301 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,150 | TN statewide | $120,383 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $103,830 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $113,475 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $103,020 | TN statewide | $112,590 |
| Environmental Engineer | $63,370 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $69,257 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $152,800 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $166,995 |
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.
Chattanooga at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,028 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Hamilton County | 2,823 workers, 336 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chattanooga-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- East Ridge, TN – 4.9 mi away (21,302 pop)
- Cleveland, TN – 22.8 mi away (71,601 pop)
- Dalton, GA – 25.9 mi away (87,688 pop)
- Calhoun, GA – 43.3 mi away (33,092 pop)
- Rome, GA – 55.4 mi away (61,019 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Chattanooga, TN?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Chattanooga. The closest is Chattanooga State Community College in Chattanooga, TN (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Georgia Northwestern Technical College (58.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Chattanooga?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Chattanooga are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($152,800), Electrical Engineer ($119,770), Chemical Engineer ($110,150). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Tennessee statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in East Ridge instead of Chattanooga?
East Ridge, TN is 4.9 miles from Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga an affordable place to study engineering?
Chattanooga’s median household income of $61,028 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chattanooga while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Tennessee 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
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