Best Online Engineering Programs in Salem, VA (2026)
Salem, Virginia has a population of about 25,477. The city’s median household income is $66,716 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Salem. In the Roanoke, VA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $134,270 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Salem
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Salem city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke, VA | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | 20.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New River Community College | Dublin, VA | 36.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Clifton Forge, VA | 38.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Patrick & Henry Community College | Martinsville, VA | 39.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Salem
Salem is part of the Roanoke, VA metro area (BLS area code 40220). 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 | $85,450 | Roanoke, VA | $91,293 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,830 | Roanoke, VA | $113,066 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,920 | Roanoke, VA | $105,684 |
| Chemical Engineer | $132,550 | VA statewide | $141,613 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $132,160 | VA statewide | $141,197 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $103,170 | VA statewide | $110,224 |
| Environmental Engineer | $103,480 | VA statewide | $110,556 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $134,270 | Roanoke, VA | $143,451 |
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.
Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,477 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,716 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Salem (city) County | 88 workers, 10 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Salem-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Roanoke, VA – 5.4 mi away (215,793 pop)
- Blacksburg, VA – 20.8 mi away (93,560 pop)
- Christiansburg, VA – 21.6 mi away (22,088 pop)
- Martinsville, VA – 43.0 mi away (34,132 pop)
- Lynchburg, VA – 48.1 mi away (123,795 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Salem, VA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Salem. The closest is Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, VA (5.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Patrick & Henry Community College (39.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Salem?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Salem are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($134,270), 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 Roanoke instead of Salem?
Roanoke, VA is 5.4 miles from Salem 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 Salem an affordable place to study engineering?
Salem’s median household income of $66,716 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Salem 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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