2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools to find the best return on investment for general civil engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in general civil engineering in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #2. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. 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. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $67,194. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $8,858. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #4 place for general civil engineering. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $76,731. Set against $21,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,820 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,805 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $16,678. That is a strong return on a $16,805 median debt. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art admits about 21% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #6 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,085 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $78,994. Set against $24,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Johns Hopkins University placed #7 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $84,850. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,625 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,146. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $63,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $70,100. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University earned the #10 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $71,856. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $88,198. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
York College Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $53,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Morgan State University earned the #13 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $70,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $22,913. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $66,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earned the #16 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $66,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University landed the #17 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $67,362 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #18 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $26,291. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $75,500. That is a strong return on a $26,291 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #19 among the best values for general civil engineering. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $26,838. General Civil Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of $67,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Manhattan College landed the #20 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,400. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Manhattan College generally make around $83,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Manhattan College admits about 79% of applicants.
Cornell University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $12,750. General Civil Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $80,811 early in their careers. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Widener University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $27,000. General Civil Engineering graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $69,289 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Widener University Main Campus admits about 71% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $17,940 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Students borrow a median of $24,371 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Technology generally make around $52,133. That is a strong return on a $24,371 median debt.
The College Of New Jersey earned the #24 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $71,649 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Temple University earned the #25 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,665 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $68,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general civil engineering this year:
Narrow General Civil Engineering Schools by State
More General Civil Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
