General Civil Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general civil engineering programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 256 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general civil engineering students pursuing a degree.
The general civil engineering program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best General Civil Engineering Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
General Civil Engineering Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Civil Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for General Civil Engineering in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best school in the country for a degree in general civil engineering. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 376 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general civil engineering degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $78,142 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,392.
More information about a degree in general civil engineering from University Of California Berkeley
Johns Hopkins University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 33 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
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Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general civil engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stanford University awarded about 206 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Civil Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $83,740 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
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University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general civil engineering, ranking #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $88,144 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general civil engineering from University Of Southern California
Carnegie Mellon University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general civil engineering, ranking #5. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 93 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $89,327 in their early career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
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University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #6 position for general civil engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 184 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $80,410 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,874 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general civil engineering from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Northwestern University came in at #7 for general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $78,551 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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Cornell University placed #8 among the best general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 100 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general civil engineering degree from Cornell University earn around $80,811 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,750.
See the full general civil engineering program report for Cornell University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #9 among the best general civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 139 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. General Civil Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $83,280 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,424 to complete this degree.
See the full general civil engineering program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of California Irvine landed the #10 spot for general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 121 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $73,835. Students borrow a median of $19,700 to complete this degree.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best general civil engineering schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 143 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Civil Engineering graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $88,198 early in their careers. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general civil engineering from Columbia University In The City Of New York
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #12 for general civil engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 353 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general civil engineering degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $76,016 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general civil engineering from Texas A And M University College Station
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 185 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $78,463 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,444.
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University Of Maryland College Park landed the #14 spot for general civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 111 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $76,731 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $21,437 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #15 position for general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 242 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $79,334 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,030.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #16 among the best general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 343 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $76,248 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,054 in student loans.
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University Of California Davis ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best general civil engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 181 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general civil engineering degree from University Of California Davis earn around $81,037 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $16,101 in student loans.
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California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best general civil engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 285 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,758 early in their careers. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
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San Diego State University landed the #19 spot for general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 177 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $79,972 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $19,832 in student loans.
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San Jose State University landed the #20 spot for general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 136 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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Purdue University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 354 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $76,547 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #22 spot for general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 38 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general civil engineering degree from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn around $88,805 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,516.
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Duke University placed #23 among the best general civil engineering schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 38 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $83,388 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
See the full general civil engineering program report for Duke University
Santa Clara University landed the #24 spot for general civil engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general civil engineering degree from Santa Clara University earn around $84,883 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree.
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Tufts University came in at #25 for general civil engineering this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 43 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
See the full general civil engineering program report for Tufts University
Rest of the Top 50 General Civil Engineering Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general civil engineering this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 256 schools evaluated.
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).
