Best Online Engineering Programs in Madison, WI (2026)
Madison, Wisconsin has a population of about 275,568. The city’s median household income is $76,983 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 59.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Madison, with tuition ranging from $4,696 to $12,397 per year. In the Madison, WI metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $161,170 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Madison
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Madison city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madison Area Technical College | Madison, WI | 4.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville, WI | 33.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Whitewater, WI | 36.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highland Community College | Freeport, IL | 57.0 mi | $4,696 - $12,397 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Wisconsin schools on the Wisconsin engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Madison
Madison is part of the Madison, WI metro area (BLS area code 31540). 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 | $96,910 | Madison, WI | $99,599 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,670 | Madison, WI | $105,519 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $96,680 | Madison, WI | $99,363 |
| Chemical Engineer | $92,840 | Madison, WI | $95,416 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $75,790 | WI statewide | $77,893 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $121,270 | Madison, WI | $124,635 |
| Environmental Engineer | $88,130 | Madison, WI | $90,576 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $161,170 | Madison, WI | $165,642 |
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.
Madison at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,983 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 59.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Dane County | 5,859 workers, 426 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Madison-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Fitchburg, WI – 6.8 mi away (28,875 pop)
- Sun Prairie, WI – 10.6 mi away (32,820 pop)
- Fort Atkinson, WI – 29.7 mi away (21,399 pop)
- Janesville, WI – 33.4 mi away (70,299 pop)
- Watertown, WI – 34.3 mi away (23,304 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Madison, WI?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Madison. The closest is University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, WI (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Highland Community College (57.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Madison?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Madison are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($161,170), Biomedical Engineer ($121,270), Electrical Engineer ($102,670). 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 Fitchburg instead of Madison?
Fitchburg, WI is 6.8 miles from Madison 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 Madison an affordable place to study engineering?
Madison’s median household income of $76,983 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Madison 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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