2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/other-civil-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value civil engineering schools.
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Finding the Best Value Civil Engineering School for You
Where you study civil engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Civil Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Civil Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
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2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
University Of Washington Seattle Campus tops our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools in the United States. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $14,874. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $80,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Davis came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $16,101. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $81,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #3 makes Holmes Community College one of the best values for civil engineering. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $32,145. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #4. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $20,424 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $83,280. That is a strong return on a $20,424 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $19,781 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Set against $19,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Arizona earned the #6 position for value in civil engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $69,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $62,923. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Delaware came in at #8 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $25,500. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $54,155. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $75,829. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of South Alabama earned the #10 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $28,000. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $51,592. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina landed the #11 spot for civil engineering value this year. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $52,909. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #12 for value in civil engineering this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,100. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $74,499 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,100 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Western New England University landed the #13 spot for 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Western New England University earn a median of $67,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $72,411. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $79,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #16 for value in civil engineering this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,529. Civil Engineering graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Southern California ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $8,125. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $88,144. Set against $8,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earned the #18 position for value in civil engineering this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students from in state pay about $44,074 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,845 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach generally make around $70,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #19 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,765 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Civil Engineering graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $76,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
