2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in Iowa
[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.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general civil engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in Iowa
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
Iowa State University earned the #1 spot for value among general civil engineering schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $76,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Iowa one of the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $70,313 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #3 makes Dordt College one of the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,050. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
