[General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 256 schools to find the best return on investment for general civil engineering students.
Finding the Best Value General Civil Engineering School for You
Where you study general civil engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $10,888. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,121 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $74,329 early in their careers. Set against $20,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $18,767. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $73,178 early in their careers. Set against $18,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #4 place for general civil engineering. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,548 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $80,203 early in their careers. Set against $13,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $67,194. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #6 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,124. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $79,295 early in their careers. Set against $19,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno came in at #7 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $71,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Northridge landed the #8 spot for general civil engineering value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,732 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #9 among the best values for general civil engineering. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $8,858. General Civil Engineering graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $75,758. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #11 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $16,437 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $73,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,437 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #12 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #13 position for value in general civil engineering this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,444 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $78,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $81,332. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida International University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $66,215. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,957 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $78,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,957 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #17 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,392 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $78,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #18 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,874 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $73,357. Set against $14,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $76,195. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
El Paso Community College placed #21 among the best values for general civil engineering. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,866 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $73,885. Set against $23,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Stanford University landed the #23 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $83,740 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University landed the #24 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $48,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #25 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $54,182. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general civil engineering:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 256 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 256 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
