Best Online Engineering Programs in Waco, TX (2026)
Waco, Texas has a population of about 141,925. The city’s median household income is $51,468 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Waco. In the Waco, TX metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $165,020 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Waco
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Waco city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas State Technical College | Waco, TX | 7.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Temple College | Temple, TX | 35.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Texas College | Killeen, TX | 47.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Texas A&M University-Central Texas | Killeen, TX | 49.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tarleton State University | Stephenville, TX | 75.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Waco
Waco is part of the Waco, TX metro area (BLS area code 47380). 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 | $74,370 | Waco, TX | $80,400 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,370 | Waco, TX | $113,914 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $95,830 | Waco, TX | $103,600 |
| Chemical Engineer | $135,160 | TX statewide | $146,119 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $131,270 | Waco, TX | $141,914 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $97,160 | TX statewide | $105,038 |
| Environmental Engineer | $108,560 | TX statewide | $117,362 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $165,020 | Waco, TX | $178,400 |
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.
Waco at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,468 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in McLennan County | 799 workers, 93 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Waco-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Temple, TX – 33.4 mi away (100,641 pop)
- Belton, TX – 38.8 mi away (20,873 pop)
- Harker Heights, TX – 43.9 mi away (29,757 pop)
- Killeen, TX – 46.2 mi away (243,947 pop)
- Copperas Cove, TX – 52.6 mi away (32,808 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Waco, TX?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Waco. The closest is Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX (7.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tarleton State University (75.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Waco?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Waco are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($165,020), Chemical Engineer ($135,160), Aerospace Engineer ($131,270). 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 Temple instead of Waco?
Temple, TX is 33.4 miles from Waco 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 Waco an affordable place to study engineering?
Waco’s median household income of $51,468 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Waco 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.