Best Online Engineering Programs in Appleton, WI (2026)
Appleton, Wisconsin has a population of about 74,873. The city’s median household income is $77,450 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Appleton. In Wisconsin, the top-earning engineering-related role is Biomedical Engineer at a median $129,440 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Appleton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Appleton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton, WI | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI | 19.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay, WI | 22.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | Green Bay, WI | 29.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac, WI | 34.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Wisconsin schools on the Wisconsin engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Appleton
Appleton is part of the Appleton, WI metro area (BLS area code 11540). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Wisconsin statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $91,110 | Appleton, WI | $98,604 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,990 | Appleton, WI | $107,132 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $92,300 | Appleton, WI | $99,892 |
| Chemical Engineer | $92,530 | WI statewide | $100,141 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $75,790 | WI statewide | $82,024 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $129,440 | WI statewide | $140,087 |
| Environmental Engineer | $75,500 | Appleton, WI | $81,710 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $129,140 | Appleton, WI | $139,762 |
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.
Appleton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,873 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $77,450 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Outagamie County | 940 workers, 79 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Appleton-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Neenah, WI – 8.7 mi away (25,914 pop)
- De Pere, WI – 18.6 mi away (24,893 pop)
- Oshkosh, WI – 19.5 mi away (75,057 pop)
- Green Bay, WI – 25.7 mi away (208,670 pop)
- Fond du Lac, WI – 35.0 mi away (54,811 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Appleton, WI?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Appleton. The closest is Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI (3.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Moraine Park Technical College (34.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Appleton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Appleton are: Biomedical Engineer ($129,440), Architectural and Engineering Manager ($129,140), Electrical Engineer ($98,990). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Wisconsin statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Neenah instead of Appleton?
Neenah, WI is 8.7 miles from Appleton 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 Appleton an affordable place to study engineering?
Appleton’s median household income of $77,450 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Appleton while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Wisconsin 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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