2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #1 spot for value among civil engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,874 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $73,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,874 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Davis one of the best values for civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,101 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $75,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned it the #3 place for civil engineering. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,424. Civil Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $80,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,424 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arizona earned it the #4 place for civil engineering. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $18,500. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of South Alabama one of the best values for civil engineering. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $51,592. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Delaware earned the #6 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #7 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,781. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $65,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,500. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $49,983. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,000. Civil Engineering graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #10 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,100. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $74,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #11 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Western New England University placed #13 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,820. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,726. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western New England University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Southern California earned the #14 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $8,125 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $85,262. That is a strong return on a $8,125 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Northeastern University came in at #15 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $76,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach landed the #16 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,074. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $22,845. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $70,246. Set against $22,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach admits about 65% of applicants.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,765. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $76,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Other Civil Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value civil engineering schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/other-civil-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
