Best Online Engineering Programs in Abilene, TX (2026)
Abilene, Texas has a population of about 127,130. The city’s median household income is $62,720 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited engineering program within 100 miles of Abilene. In the Abilene, TX metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $147,230 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Abilene
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Abilene city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarleton State University | Stephenville, TX | 90.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Abilene
Abilene is part of the Abilene, TX metro area (BLS area code 10180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Texas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $74,150 | Abilene, TX | $82,024 |
| Electrical Engineer | $97,290 | Abilene, TX | $107,622 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,530 | Abilene, TX | $107,887 |
| Chemical Engineer | $135,160 | TX statewide | $149,513 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,470 | TX statewide | $139,900 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $97,160 | TX statewide | $107,478 |
| Environmental Engineer | $108,560 | TX statewide | $120,088 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $147,230 | Abilene, TX | $162,865 |
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.
Abilene at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,720 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Taylor County | 665 workers, 53 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Abilene-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Brownwood, TX – 67.9 mi away (22,551 pop)
- San Angelo, TX – 81.4 mi away (100,472 pop)
- Stephenville, TX – 90.1 mi away (20,213 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Abilene, TX?
Our directory lists 1 engineering programs within 100 miles of Abilene. The closest is Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX (90.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tarleton State University (90.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Abilene?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Abilene are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($147,230), Chemical Engineer ($135,160), Aerospace Engineer ($126,470). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Texas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Brownwood instead of Abilene?
Brownwood, TX is 67.9 miles from Abilene 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 Abilene an affordable place to study engineering?
Abilene’s median household income of $62,720 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Abilene while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Texas 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.