Best Online Engineering Programs in Bellingham, WA (2026)
Bellingham, Washington has a population of about 92,367. The city’s median household income is $65,821 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Bellingham. In the Bellingham, WA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $179,550 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Bellingham
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Bellingham city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Washington University | Bellingham, WA | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bellingham Technical College | Bellingham, WA | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Skagit Valley College | Mount Vernon, WA | 23.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building | Port Hadlock, WA | 51.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Everett Community College | Everett, WA | 53.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Bellingham
Bellingham is part of the Bellingham, WA metro area (BLS area code 13380). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Washington statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $104,730 | Bellingham, WA | $101,384 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,880 | Bellingham, WA | $99,593 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,440 | Bellingham, WA | $120,465 |
| Chemical Engineer | $130,830 | WA statewide | $126,651 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $158,600 | WA statewide | $153,533 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $125,010 | WA statewide | $121,016 |
| Environmental Engineer | $115,770 | WA statewide | $112,072 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $179,550 | Bellingham, WA | $173,814 |
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.
Bellingham at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,821 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Whatcom County | 1,214 workers, 147 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bellingham-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Mount Vernon, WA – 24.1 mi away (68,613 pop)
- Oak Harbor, WA – 32.5 mi away (34,689 pop)
- Marysville, WA – 48.6 mi away (163,547 pop)
- Lake Stevens, WA – 54.6 mi away (31,679 pop)
- Sequim, WA – 55.0 mi away (20,330 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Bellingham, WA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Bellingham. The closest is Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Everett Community College (53.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Bellingham?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Bellingham are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($179,550), Aerospace Engineer ($158,600), Chemical Engineer ($130,830). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Washington statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Mount Vernon instead of Bellingham?
Mount Vernon, WA is 24.1 miles from Bellingham 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 Bellingham an affordable place to study engineering?
Bellingham’s median household income of $65,821 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bellingham while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Washington 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.
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