2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general civil engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $24,382 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $74,843. That is a strong return on a $24,382 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $73,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #3 place for general civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,054 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $76,248 early in their careers. Set against $19,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #5 place for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $30,548 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $76,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,500. General Civil Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $76,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #7 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $69,339 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Michigan Technological University landed the #8 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $26,000. General Civil Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $74,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #9 for value in general civil engineering this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,781. General Civil Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $65,269 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #10 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $21,701. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $66,820 early in their careers. Set against $21,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Youngstown State University placed #11 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $59,149. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #12 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $22,275 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $67,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Cleveland State University landed the #13 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $66,295. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,545. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $68,031. That is a strong return on a $23,545 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $78,253. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,522 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $69,582. That is a strong return on a $23,522 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #17 spot for general civil engineering value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $64,317. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Toledo came in at #18 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $70,388. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #19 for value in general civil engineering this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $29,156 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $69,706. Set against $29,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best values for general civil engineering. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $75,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $72,048. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Valparaiso University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,450. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $69,549. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering landed the #23 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,480. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,667 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Milwaukee School Of Engineering earn a median of $72,940 early in their careers. Set against $27,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for general civil engineering. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $75,065. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bradley University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $72,573. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general civil engineering:
Narrow General Civil Engineering Schools by State
More General Civil Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
