Best Online Engineering Programs in Centralia, WA (2026)
Centralia, Washington has a population of about 18,457. The city’s median household income is $52,387 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 17.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 37 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Centralia. In Washington, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $181,080 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Centralia
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 37 schools in our directory that offer engineering programs near Centralia. Distances are calculated from Centralia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralia College | Centralia, WA | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Puget Sound Community College | Olympia, WA | 20.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Martin’s University | Lacey, WA | 23.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pierce College District | Lakewood, WA | 36.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | 38.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lower Columbia College | Longview, WA | 40.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tacoma Community College | Tacoma, WA | 41.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | Tacoma, WA | 43.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Puget Sound | Tacoma, WA | 43.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | 44.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Centralia
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Washington, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $105,090 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,730 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $109,370 |
| Chemical Engineer | $130,830 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $158,600 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $125,010 |
| Environmental Engineer | $115,770 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $181,080 |
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.
Centralia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,457 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,387 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 17.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Engineering-related employment in Lewis County | 94 workers, 18 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Centralia-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Tumwater, WA – 18.8 mi away (22,538 pop)
- Olympia, WA – 22.3 mi away (194,532 pop)
- Lacey, WA – 23.7 mi away (47,688 pop)
- Lakewood, WA – 36.8 mi away (60,665 pop)
- University Place, WA – 39.4 mi away (33,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering schools are near Centralia, WA?
Our directory has 37 accredited schools offering engineering programs near Centralia. The closest is Centralia College in Centralia, WA (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bates Technical College (44.1 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles in Washington?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles in Washington are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($181,080), Aerospace Engineer ($158,600), Chemical Engineer ($130,830). Wages for Centralia workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Tumwater instead of Centralia?
Tumwater, WA is 18.8 miles from Centralia 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 Centralia an affordable place to study engineering?
Centralia’s median household income of $52,387 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Centralia 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.
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.
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