Best Online Engineering Programs in Oak Ridge, TN (2026)
Oak Ridge, Tennessee has a population of about 32,088. The city’s median household income is $71,000 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 39.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Oak Ridge, with tuition ranging from $4,576 to $18,622 per year. In the Knoxville, TN metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $145,200 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Oak Ridge
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Oak Ridge city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South College | Knoxville, TN | 14.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Roane State Community College | Harriman, TN | 19.0 mi | $4,762 - $18,622 | – |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | 20.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pellissippi State Community College | Knoxville, TN | 28.8 mi | $4,576 - $17,776 | – |
| Walters State Community College | Morristown, TN | 60.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge is part of the Knoxville, TN metro area (BLS area code 28940). 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 | $99,810 | Knoxville, TN | $107,786 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,890 | Knoxville, TN | $119,752 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $95,710 | Knoxville, TN | $103,359 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,150 | TN statewide | $118,952 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,430 | TN statewide | $132,214 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $88,680 | Knoxville, TN | $95,767 |
| Environmental Engineer | $84,230 | Knoxville, TN | $90,961 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $145,200 | Knoxville, TN | $156,803 |
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.
Oak Ridge at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,088 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,000 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 39.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Anderson County | 1,807 workers, 85 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Oak Ridge-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Farragut, TN – 8.9 mi away (22,282 pop)
- Harriman, TN – 15.1 mi away (23,026 pop)
- Knoxville, TN – 19.2 mi away (581,787 pop)
- Maryville, TN – 23.2 mi away (28,703 pop)
- Sevierville, TN – 41.0 mi away (24,882 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Oak Ridge, TN?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Oak Ridge. The closest is South College in Knoxville, TN (14.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Walters State Community College (60.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Oak Ridge?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Oak Ridge are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($145,200), Aerospace Engineer ($122,430), Electrical Engineer ($110,890). 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 Farragut instead of Oak Ridge?
Farragut, TN is 8.9 miles from Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge an affordable place to study engineering?
Oak Ridge’s median household income of $71,000 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Oak Ridge 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
Back to Best Online Engineering Programs in Tennessee (2026)
Return to Best Online Engineering Programs in Tennessee (2026)