2024 Best Value Colleges for General Civil Engineering in California
22
Ranked Colleges
2,867
Degrees Awarded
$17,700
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking - to help you make that decision.
General Civil Engineering is the 41st most popular major in the country with 20,711 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across California, there were 2,867 general civil engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general civil engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general civil engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general civil engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for General Civil Engineering in California
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #1 spot on the list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 172 ’s general civil engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also made our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for california general civil engineering students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo General Civil Engineering Report
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 155 diplomas to qualified ’s general civil engineering students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,023 for california general civil engineering students per year to attend UCLA.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UCLA General Civil Engineering Report
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #3 spot on the list. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 228 ’s general civil engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #5 spot in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $15,768 for California General Civil Engineering students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Full University of California - Davis General Civil Engineering Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California list. Cal Poly Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 268 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $14,304 for California General Civil Engineering students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal Poly Pomona General Civil Engineering Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 171 diplomas to qualified ’s general civil engineering students in 2020-2021.
CSULB also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for California General Civil Engineering students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Civil Engineering at California State University - Long Beach
With a ranking of #6, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2024 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California list. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 294 ’s general civil engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general civil engineering students list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $16,032 for California General Civil Engineering students.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full UC Berkeley General Civil Engineering Report
San Jose State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California list. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 169 ’s general civil engineering degrees to qualified students.
San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $16,542 for california general civil engineering students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Civil Engineering at San Jose State University
San Diego State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 162 ’s general civil engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for California General Civil Engineering students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Civil Engineering at San Diego State University
University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2024 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California ranking, coming in at #9. University of California - Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 142 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general civil engineering students list, UC Irvine has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $12,209 for california general civil engineering students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Civil Engineering at UC Irvine
With a ranking of #10, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2024 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California list. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general civil engineering degrees to 78 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $16,218 for California General Civil Engineering students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Civil Engineering at Chico State
With a ranking of #11, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2024 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s general civil engineering degrees to qualified students.
Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $6,230 for california general civil engineering students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Civil Engineering at California State University - Fresno
With a ranking of #12, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2024 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California list. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 179 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State also took the #14 spot in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,178 for california general civil engineering students per year to attend Sac State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full California State University - Sacramento General Civil Engineering Report
California State University - Northridge ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California list. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 99 ’s general civil engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general civil engineering students list, CSUN has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for california general civil engineering students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Civil Engineering at California State University - Northridge
California State University - Fullerton came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 161 ’s general civil engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $8,003 for california general civil engineering students per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Cal State Fullerton General Civil Engineering Report
California State University - Los Angeles landed the #15 spot on the 2024 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general civil engineering degrees to 95 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general civil engineering students list, Cal State LA has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for California General Civil Engineering students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Los Angeles General Civil Engineering Report
San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California ranking, coming in at #16. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general civil engineering degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.
SFSU also made our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $14,459 for California General Civil Engineering students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full San Francisco State University General Civil Engineering Report
California Baptist University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California ranking. California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general civil engineering students list, Cal Baptist has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Baptist is $26,719 for California General Civil Engineering students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Civil Engineering at Cal Baptist
Loyola Marymount University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California ranking. Loyola Marymount is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 ’s general civil engineering degrees to qualified students.
Loyola Marymount did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Loyola Marymount University is $44,467 for California General Civil Engineering students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on General Civil Engineering at Loyola Marymount
Santa Clara University landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California ranking. Located in Santa Clara, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified ’s general civil engineering students in 2020-2021.
SCU also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SCU is $42,614 for California General Civil Engineering students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full SCU General Civil Engineering Report
University of the Pacific came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California ranking. Pacific is located in Stockton, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s general civil engineering degrees to qualified students.
Pacific not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of the Pacific is $28,380 for California General Civil Engineering students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Civil Engineering at Pacific
Stanford University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California ranking, coming in at #21. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 176 ’s general civil engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $12,894 for california general civil engineering students.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Civil Engineering at Stanford
University of Southern California landed the #22 spot on the 2024 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California ranking. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 26 ’s general civil engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $32,569 for California General Civil Engineering students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about General Civil Engineering at USC
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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