Best Online Engineering Programs in Murfreesboro, TN (2026)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee has a population of about 157,547. The city’s median household income is $76,241 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Murfreesboro, with tuition ranging from $4,498 to $17,698 per year. In the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $153,920 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Murfreesboro
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Murfreesboro city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville | Nashville, TN | 29.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | 30.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Nashville State Community College | Nashville, TN | 31.8 mi | $4,498 - $17,698 | – |
| Tennessee State University | Nashville, TN | 32.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metro area (BLS area code 34980). 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 | $99,780 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $103,614 |
| Electrical Engineer | $109,400 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $113,603 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,600 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $105,504 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,150 | TN statewide | $114,382 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,080 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $133,001 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $103,020 | TN statewide | $106,978 |
| Environmental Engineer | $97,970 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $101,734 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $153,920 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $159,834 |
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.
Murfreesboro at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,547 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,241 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Rutherford County | 808 workers, 122 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Murfreesboro-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Smyrna, TN – 10.6 mi away (48,596 pop)
- La Vergne, TN – 14.4 mi away (35,071 pop)
- Brentwood, TN – 22.7 mi away (42,517 pop)
- Shelbyville, TN – 24.4 mi away (21,083 pop)
- Lebanon, TN – 24.6 mi away (33,068 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Murfreesboro, TN?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Murfreesboro. The closest is Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tennessee State University (32.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Murfreesboro?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Murfreesboro are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($153,920), Aerospace Engineer ($128,080), 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 Smyrna instead of Murfreesboro?
Smyrna, TN is 10.6 miles from Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro an affordable place to study engineering?
Murfreesboro’s median household income of $76,241 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Murfreesboro 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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