Best Online Engineering Programs in Norfolk, VA (2026)
Norfolk, Virginia has a population of about 235,037. The city’s median household income is $64,017 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 23 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Norfolk. In the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $157,060 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Norfolk
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 23 schools in our directory that offer engineering programs near Norfolk. Distances are calculated from Norfolk city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Norfolk State University | Norfolk, VA | 3.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tidewater Community College | Norfolk, VA | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA | 5.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Regent University | Virginia Beach, VA | 7.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hampton University | Hampton, VA | 9.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Centura College-Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach, VA | 11.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Hampton, VA | 14.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Christopher Newport University | Newport News, VA | 17.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of the Albemarle | Elizabeth City, NC | 39.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Norfolk
Norfolk is part of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area (BLS area code 47260). 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 | $94,060 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $96,078 |
| Electrical Engineer | $106,070 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $108,345 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,470 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,561 |
| Chemical Engineer | $132,550 | VA statewide | $135,393 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $132,160 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $134,995 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $103,110 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $105,322 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,250 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $101,379 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $157,060 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $160,429 |
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.
Norfolk at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,017 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Norfolk (city) County | 2,176 workers, 132 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Norfolk-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Portsmouth, VA – 6.2 mi away (95,252 pop)
- Hampton, VA – 12.5 mi away (135,410 pop)
- Chesapeake, VA – 15.2 mi away (237,940 pop)
- Virginia Beach, VA – 16.3 mi away (1,487,505 pop)
- Newport News, VA – 20.4 mi away (181,825 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering schools are near Norfolk, VA?
Our directory has 23 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Norfolk. The closest is Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of the Albemarle (39.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Norfolk?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Norfolk are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($157,060), 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 Portsmouth instead of Norfolk?
Portsmouth, VA is 6.2 miles from Norfolk 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 Norfolk an affordable place to study engineering?
Norfolk’s median household income of $64,017 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Norfolk 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
Back to Best Online Engineering Programs in Virginia (2026)
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