Best Online Engineering Programs in Fairfax, VA (2026)
Fairfax, Virginia has a population of about 24,478. The city’s median household income is $132,774 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 62.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Fairfax, with tuition ranging from $6,152 to $80,727 per year. In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $180,360 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Fairfax
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Fairfax city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale, VA | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| DeVry University-Virginia | Arlington, VA | 13.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of the District of Columbia | Washington, DC | 14.1 mi | $6,152 - $20,911 | – |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 15.0 mi | $64,990 - $80,727 | – |
| The Catholic University of America | Washington, DC | 17.8 mi | $55,834 - $73,198 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Fairfax
Fairfax is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area (BLS area code 47900). 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 | $100,370 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,167 |
| Electrical Engineer | $136,820 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $125,638 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $121,060 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $111,166 |
| Chemical Engineer | $129,040 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $118,494 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,980 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $145,069 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $108,310 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,458 |
| Environmental Engineer | $125,240 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $115,005 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $180,360 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $165,620 |
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.
Fairfax at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,478 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $132,774 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 62.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Fairfax (city) County | 339 workers, 38 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fairfax-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Herndon, VA – 9.3 mi away (24,393 pop)
- Alexandria, VA – 11.7 mi away (155,810 pop)
- Manassas, VA – 12.3 mi away (41,483 pop)
- Washington, DC – 15.7 mi away (5,191,844 pop)
- Rockville, MD – 17.7 mi away (66,940 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Fairfax, VA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Fairfax. The closest is Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, VA (3.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is The Catholic University of America (17.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Fairfax?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Fairfax are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($180,360), Aerospace Engineer ($157,980), Electrical Engineer ($136,820). 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 Herndon instead of Fairfax?
Herndon, VA is 9.3 miles from Fairfax 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 Fairfax an affordable place to study engineering?
Fairfax’s median household income of $132,774 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fairfax 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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