Best Online Engineering Programs in Vancouver, WA (2026)
Vancouver, Washington has a population of about 192,696. The city’s median household income is $78,156 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Vancouver, with tuition ranging from $5,040 to $30,138 per year. In the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $170,410 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Vancouver
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Vancouver city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark College | Vancouver, WA | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Portland State University | Portland, OR | 9.5 mi | $11,238 - $30,138 | – |
| Mt Hood Community College | Gresham, OR | 12.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Portland Community College | Portland, OR | 14.9 mi | $5,040 - $17,271 | – |
| Clackamas Community College | Oregon City, OR | 21.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Vancouver
Vancouver is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area (BLS area code 38900). 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 | $104,360 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $99,013 |
| Electrical Engineer | $114,130 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $108,283 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $103,010 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $97,732 |
| Chemical Engineer | $129,930 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $123,273 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,190 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $127,315 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $129,020 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $122,410 |
| Environmental Engineer | $122,290 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $116,025 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $170,410 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $161,679 |
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.
Vancouver at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,696 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $78,156 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Clark County | 2,051 workers, 304 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Vancouver-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Portland, OR – 7.2 mi away (2,027,629 pop)
- Camas, WA – 8.4 mi away (22,449 pop)
- Battle Ground, WA – 10.1 mi away (20,110 pop)
- Gresham, OR – 11.9 mi away (111,523 pop)
- Milwaukie, OR – 13.2 mi away (20,929 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Vancouver, WA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Vancouver. The closest is Clark College in Vancouver, WA (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Clackamas Community College (21.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Vancouver?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Vancouver are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($170,410), Aerospace Engineer ($134,190), Chemical Engineer ($129,930). 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 Portland instead of Vancouver?
Portland, OR is 7.2 miles from Vancouver 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 Vancouver an affordable place to study engineering?
Vancouver’s median household income of $78,156 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Vancouver 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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