Best Online Engineering Programs in Lubbock, TX (2026)
Lubbock, Texas has a population of about 261,078. The city’s median household income is $60,487 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Lubbock, with tuition ranging from $1,440 to $9,150 per year. In the Lubbock, TX metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $161,000 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Lubbock
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Lubbock city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New Mexico Junior College | Hobbs, NM | 93.3 mi | $1,440 - $9,150 | – |
| Clovis Community College | Clovis, NM | 93.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Howard College | Big Spring, TX | 94.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwest College for the Deaf | Big Spring, TX | 95.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Lubbock
Lubbock is part of the Lubbock, TX metro area (BLS area code 31180). 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 | $77,940 | Lubbock, TX | $85,367 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,540 | Lubbock, TX | $110,120 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $87,040 | Lubbock, TX | $95,334 |
| Chemical Engineer | $135,160 | TX statewide | $148,039 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,470 | TX statewide | $138,521 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $97,160 | TX statewide | $106,418 |
| Environmental Engineer | $108,560 | TX statewide | $118,905 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $161,000 | Lubbock, TX | $176,342 |
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.
Lubbock at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,487 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Lubbock County | 1,105 workers, 117 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lubbock-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Plainview, TX – 44.1 mi away (24,257 pop)
- Hobbs, NM – 93.7 mi away (41,021 pop)
- Big Spring, TX – 94.7 mi away (29,267 pop)
- Clovis, NM – 96.0 mi away (43,327 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Lubbock, TX?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Lubbock. The closest is Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southwest College for the Deaf (95.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Lubbock?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Lubbock are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($161,000), 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 Plainview instead of Lubbock?
Plainview, TX is 44.1 miles from Lubbock 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 Lubbock an affordable place to study engineering?
Lubbock’s median household income of $60,487 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lubbock 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.