by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general civil engineering students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general civil engineering, no school beat York College Pennsylvania this year. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $53,667. That is a strong return on a $26,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $66,943 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earned it the #4 place for general civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg generally make around $67,966. Set against $26,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,371 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $52,133. Set against $24,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Widener University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $55,730. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $69,289. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University landed the #7 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,665 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Temple University earn a median of $68,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #8 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #9 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $72,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $67,966. That is a strong return on a $26,838 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Lafayette College placed #11 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,648. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $16,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Lafayette College generally make around $70,391. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University landed the #12 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $73,545. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Drexel University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $74,520. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Bucknell University came in at #14 for value in general civil engineering this year. Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,812. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $80,231 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bucknell University admits about 29% of applicants.
Villanova University landed the #15 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $80,278. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.