Best Online Engineering Programs in Tumwater, WA (2026)
Tumwater, Washington has a population of about 26,519. The city’s median household income is $93,635 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Tumwater. 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 Tumwater
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Tumwater city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Puget Sound Community College | Olympia, WA | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Centralia College | Centralia, WA | 19.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pierce College District | Lakewood, WA | 20.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | 23.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | 28.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Tumwater
Tumwater is part of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area (BLS area code 36500). 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 | $102,530 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $98,872 |
| Electrical Engineer | $85,520 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $82,469 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $95,690 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $92,276 |
| Chemical Engineer | $130,830 | WA statewide | $126,162 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $158,600 | WA statewide | $152,941 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $106,420 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $102,623 |
| Environmental Engineer | $105,090 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $101,340 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $181,080 | WA statewide | $174,619 |
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.
Tumwater at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,519 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $93,635 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.7 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Thurston County | 860 workers, 170 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Tumwater-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Olympia, WA – 3.6 mi away (194,532 pop)
- Lacey, WA – 7.1 mi away (47,688 pop)
- Centralia, WA – 18.8 mi away (41,077 pop)
- Lakewood, WA – 21.9 mi away (60,665 pop)
- University Place, WA – 23.4 mi away (33,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Tumwater, WA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Tumwater. The closest is South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, WA (2.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bates Technical College (28.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Tumwater?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Tumwater are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($181,080), 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 Olympia instead of Tumwater?
Olympia, WA is 3.6 miles from Tumwater 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 Tumwater an affordable place to study engineering?
Tumwater’s median household income of $93,635 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Tumwater 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
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