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2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

14 Colleges in the United States
$22,065 Avg Student Debt
$81,601 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Master's Degree Badge [Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/other-civil-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value civil engineering schools.

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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

1

For return on investment in civil engineering, no school beat University Of Washington Seattle Campus this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $14,874. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $87,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California Davis came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $16,101 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $86,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

3

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $85,887. Set against $20,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

4

University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $71,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Delaware earned it the #5 place for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.

6

University Of South Alabama came in at #6 for value in civil engineering this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $51,592. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

7

Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $79,898. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

8

University Of Notre Dame came in at #8 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,100. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $74,499. Set against $20,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

9

Western New England University earned the #9 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,820. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Western New England University generally make around $67,726. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #10 among the best values for civil engineering. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $77,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

11

Northeastern University landed the #11 spot for civil engineering value this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $83,591. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

12

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.

13

University Of Southern California came in at #13 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. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $91,025 early in their careers. Set against $8,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

14

Worcester Polytechnic Institute placed #14 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,765. 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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester Polytechnic Institute admits about 60% of applicants.

Other Civil Engineering Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Civil Engineering rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Civil Engineering
Bachelor's Degrees in Civil Engineering

View All Civil Engineering Rankings >

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 · 14 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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