Best Online Engineering Programs in Blacksburg, VA (2026)
Blacksburg, Virginia has a population of about 45,288. The city’s median household income is $48,070 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 69.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Blacksburg, with tuition ranging from $10,240 to $20,747 per year. In the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $141,770 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Blacksburg
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Blacksburg city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New River Community College | Dublin, VA | 16.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke, VA | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wytheville Community College | Wytheville, VA | 40.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bluefield State University | Bluefield, WV | 44.6 mi | $10,240 - $20,747 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Blacksburg
Blacksburg is part of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area (BLS area code 13980). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $86,880 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $93,722 |
| Electrical Engineer | $99,580 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $107,422 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $81,920 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $88,371 |
| Chemical Engineer | $132,550 | VA statewide | $142,988 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $132,160 | VA statewide | $142,567 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $103,170 | VA statewide | $111,294 |
| Environmental Engineer | $103,480 | VA statewide | $111,629 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $141,770 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $152,934 |
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.
Blacksburg at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,288 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,070 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 69.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Montgomery County | 403 workers, 62 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Blacksburg-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Christiansburg, VA – 6.3 mi away (22,088 pop)
- Salem, VA – 20.8 mi away (25,549 pop)
- Roanoke, VA – 26.0 mi away (215,793 pop)
- Bluefield, WV – 43.5 mi away (43,012 pop)
- Martinsville, VA – 49.0 mi away (34,132 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Blacksburg, VA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Blacksburg. The closest is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bluefield State University (44.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Blacksburg?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Blacksburg are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($141,770), Chemical Engineer ($132,550), Aerospace Engineer ($132,160). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Christiansburg instead of Blacksburg?
Christiansburg, VA is 6.3 miles from Blacksburg 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 Blacksburg an affordable place to study engineering?
Blacksburg’s median household income of $48,070 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Blacksburg while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Virginia 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.
Related Resources
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