Best Online Engineering Programs in Port Arthur, TX (2026)
Port Arthur, Texas has a population of about 55,779. The city’s median household income is $45,752 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 11.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Port Arthur, with tuition ranging from $1,773 to $21,626 per year. In the Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $166,230 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Port Arthur
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Port Arthur city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar University | Beaumont, TX | 15.5 mi | $8,690 - $21,626 | – |
| Lamar State College-Orange | Orange, TX | 16.4 mi | $2,832 - $13,824 | – |
| Lamar Institute of Technology | Beaumont, TX | 16.8 mi | $2,844 - $14,139 | – |
| Lee College | Baytown, TX | 63.5 mi | $2,166 - $12,050 | – |
| College of the Mainland | Texas City, TX | 72.1 mi | $1,773 - $8,014 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Port Arthur
Port Arthur is part of the Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX metro area (BLS area code 13140). 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 | $93,580 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $103,978 |
| Electrical Engineer | $119,620 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $132,911 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $119,590 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $132,878 |
| Chemical Engineer | $133,210 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $148,011 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,470 | TX statewide | $140,522 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $97,160 | TX statewide | $107,956 |
| Environmental Engineer | $125,950 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $139,944 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $166,230 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $184,700 |
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.
Port Arthur at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,779 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,752 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 11.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Jefferson County | 2,523 workers, 94 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Port Arthur-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Beaumont, TX – 20.6 mi away (147,935 pop)
- Sulphur, LA – 42.9 mi away (20,272 pop)
- Lake Charles, LA – 48.9 mi away (153,097 pop)
- Baytown, TX – 62.5 mi away (75,992 pop)
- La Porte, TX – 68.5 mi away (35,086 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Port Arthur, TX?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Port Arthur. The closest is Lamar University in Beaumont, TX (15.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of the Mainland (72.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Port Arthur?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Port Arthur are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($166,230), Chemical Engineer ($133,210), 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 Beaumont instead of Port Arthur?
Beaumont, TX is 20.6 miles from Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur an affordable place to study engineering?
Port Arthur’s median household income of $45,752 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Port Arthur 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.