2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general civil engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for general civil engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the Southwest 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
El Paso Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general civil engineering schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $8,542. General Civil Engineering graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $11,000. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $54,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Lamar University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $13,382. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $60,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #5 place for general civil engineering. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $16,293 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $60,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rice University earned the #6 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #7 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,986 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $69,724. That is a strong return on a $27,986 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #8 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $24,625. General Civil Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $66,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #9 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Students borrow a median of $22,670 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $67,671 early in their careers. Set against $22,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #10 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $20,542. General Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $73,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Houston came in at #11 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $74,822. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $72,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northern Arizona University landed the #13 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $66,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,807 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $67,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #15 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $62,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Angelo State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,241 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $56,688. Set against $20,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $69,655. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #18 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $71,176. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas Tech University came in at #20 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $74,655 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas Southern University came in at #21 for value in general civil engineering this year. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $35,330. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $41,890. That is a strong return on a $35,330 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #22 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,030 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $79,334. That is a strong return on a $21,030 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University placed #23 among the best values for general civil engineering. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,101, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $22,333. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #24 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $76,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Letourneau University landed the #25 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Longview, Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,160. Students borrow a median of $32,086 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $53,569. Set against $32,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Letourneau University admits about 38% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general civil engineering value ranking:
Narrow General Civil Engineering Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
