Best Online Engineering Programs in University Place, WA (2026)
University Place, Washington has a population of about 34,850. The city’s median household income is $94,952 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 43.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of University Place. 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 University Place
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from University Place city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce College District | Lakewood, WA | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Green River College | Auburn, WA | 18.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Puget Sound Community College | Olympia, WA | 22.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near University Place
University Place 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.
University Place at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,850 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $94,952 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 43.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 111.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Pierce County | 2,025 workers, 310 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other University Place-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Lakewood, WA – 3.7 mi away (60,665 pop)
- Tacoma, WA – 4.8 mi away (211,277 pop)
- Federal Way, WA – 11.8 mi away (96,757 pop)
- Puyallup, WA – 12.3 mi away (40,640 pop)
- Des Moines, WA – 16.3 mi away (31,172 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near University Place, WA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of University Place. The closest is Pierce College District in Lakewood, WA (3.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South Puget Sound Community College (22.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near University Place?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near University Place 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 Lakewood instead of University Place?
Lakewood, WA is 3.7 miles from University Place 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 University Place an affordable place to study engineering?
University Place’s median household income of $94,952 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in University Place 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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