Best Online Engineering Programs in Austin, TX (2026)
Austin, Texas has a population of about 967,862. The city’s median household income is $91,461 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 58.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Austin. In the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $175,940 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Austin
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Austin city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CyberTex Institute of Technology | Austin, TX | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Austin Community College District | Austin, TX | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Careers Institute-Austin | Austin, TX | 5.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Texas State University | San Marcos, TX | 30.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Austin
Austin is part of the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area (BLS area code 12420). 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 | $97,850 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $99,745 |
| Electrical Engineer | $117,420 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $119,694 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,410 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $112,548 |
| Chemical Engineer | $135,860 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $138,491 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $121,800 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $124,159 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $101,360 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $103,323 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,080 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $106,096 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $175,940 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $179,348 |
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.
Austin at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $91,461 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 58.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Travis County | 20,724 workers, 1,635 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Austin-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Pflugerville, TX – 13.7 mi away (59,245 pop)
- Cedar Park, TX – 15.0 mi away (68,918 pop)
- Round Rock, TX – 16.2 mi away (120,892 pop)
- Leander, TX – 19.5 mi away (42,761 pop)
- Hutto, TX – 20.2 mi away (23,832 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Austin, TX?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Austin. The closest is The University of Texas at Austin in Austin, TX (1.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Texas State University (30.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Austin?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Austin are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($175,940), Chemical Engineer ($135,860), Aerospace Engineer ($121,800). 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 Pflugerville instead of Austin?
Pflugerville, TX is 13.7 miles from Austin 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 Austin an affordable place to study engineering?
Austin’s median household income of $91,461 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Austin 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.