2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, our #1 best value for general civil engineering in the New England Region. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $88,805. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $71,859. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #3 place for general civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $72,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine earned it the #4 place for general civil engineering. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $64,785. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Students borrow a median of $24,708 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $68,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Connecticut came in at #6 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,825. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $70,388. That is a strong return on a $23,825 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Vermont ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $22,375. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $61,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #8 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $63,158. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #9 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $69,757 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $70,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Hartford earned the #11 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,532 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $67,968. Set against $25,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hartford admits about 96% of applicants.
Norwich University placed #12 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $21,500. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $66,778. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Northeastern University placed #13 among the best values for general civil engineering. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $79,977. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Western New England University landed the #14 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,820. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Western New England University generally make around $67,726. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Haven came in at #15 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,332. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $70,495. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Wentworth Institute Of Technology ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Wentworth Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,884. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $75,001. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University landed the #17 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Merrimack College placed #18 among the best values for general civil engineering. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. Students from in state pay about $53,962 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $75,556 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Quinnipiac University landed the #19 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $73,064. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #20 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,765. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $76,419. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
[General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
