Best Online Engineering Programs in Federal Way, WA (2026)
Federal Way, Washington has a population of about 99,232. The city’s median household income is $82,144 (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 Federal Way. In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $183,640 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Federal Way
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Federal Way city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | 6.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Green River College | Auburn, WA | 7.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | 11.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pierce College District | Lakewood, WA | 14.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Seattle College | Seattle, WA | 16.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Federal Way
Federal Way is part of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area (BLS area code 42660). 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 | $107,930 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $97,147 |
| Electrical Engineer | $135,480 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $121,944 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $117,930 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $106,148 |
| Chemical Engineer | $135,830 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $122,259 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $174,130 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $156,733 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $125,010 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $112,520 |
| Environmental Engineer | $115,770 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $104,203 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $183,640 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $165,293 |
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.
Federal Way at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,232 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $82,144 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 111.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in King County | 22,058 workers, 1,921 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Federal Way-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Des Moines, WA – 5.8 mi away (31,172 pop)
- Auburn, WA – 5.9 mi away (77,472 pop)
- Tacoma, WA – 7.1 mi away (211,277 pop)
- Kent, WA – 8.0 mi away (127,514 pop)
- Puyallup, WA – 9.2 mi away (40,640 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Federal Way, WA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Federal Way. The closest is Bates Technical College in Tacoma, WA (6.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South Seattle College (16.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Federal Way?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Federal Way are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($183,640), Aerospace Engineer ($174,130), Chemical Engineer ($135,830). 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 Des Moines instead of Federal Way?
Des Moines, WA is 5.8 miles from Federal Way 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 Federal Way an affordable place to study engineering?
Federal Way’s median household income of $82,144 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Federal Way 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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