2023 Best Value Colleges for Civil Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in California
23
Ranked Colleges
3,198
Degrees Awarded
$11,400
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 21,388 people earned their degree in civil engineering, making the major the 50th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, civil engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $63,364 and had an average of $24,364 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 3,198 civil engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $68,987 and $19,554 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree in civil engineering. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent civil engineering programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the civil engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The civil eng school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Civil Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 176 ’s civil eng degrees to qualified students.
Stanford also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $1,233 for California Civil Eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Stanford University Civil Engineering Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 294 students in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UC Berkeley Civil Engineering Report
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 160 diplomas to qualified ’s civil eng students in 2020-2021.
UCLA also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $9,037 for California Civil Eng students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at UCLA
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. UC Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 243 ’s civil eng degrees to qualified students.
UC Davis also took the #5 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $10,006 for california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UC Davis Civil Engineering Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 192 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,823 for california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCSD.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Civil Engineering at University of California - San Diego
With a ranking of #6, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 95 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,887 for california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State LA.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at Cal State LA
University of California - Irvine landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 142 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,540 for California Civil Eng students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Irvine.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at University of California - Irvine
University of Southern California ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 84 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,287 for california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Civil Engineering at University of Southern California
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 214 ’s civil eng degrees to qualified students.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #6 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for California Civil Eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 268 ’s civil eng degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $10,349 for California Civil Eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 102 degrees to qualified ’s civil eng students in 2020-2021.
Fresno State also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $3,859 for California Civil Eng students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Fresno.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at Fresno State
California State University - Fullerton came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 161 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $4,590 for california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Civil Engineering at California State University - Fullerton
With a ranking of #13, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 171 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for California Civil Eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at CSULB
San Diego State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Diego State University is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 162 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $7,169 for california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SDSU.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full San Diego State University Civil Engineering Report
California State University - Sacramento came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 179 students in 2020-2021.
Sac State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at Sac State
California State University - Northridge ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 117 students in 2020-2021.
CSUN also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for California Civil Eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full California State University - Northridge Civil Engineering Report
With a ranking of #17, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 169 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $12,158 for California Civil Eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Full San Jose State University Civil Engineering Report
With a ranking of #18, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 78 students in 2020-2021.
Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $11,754 for california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Chico Civil Engineering Report
San Francisco State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 70 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $10,705 for california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at SFSU
Santa Clara University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Santa Clara, California, and it awarded 24 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SCU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Santa Clara University is $26,428 for california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at Santa Clara University
With a ranking of #21, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal Baptist is located in Riverside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s civil eng degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Baptist has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Baptist is $21,769 for California Civil Eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at California Baptist University
University of the Pacific came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of the Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stockton, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Pacific also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend University of the Pacific is $22,792 for California Civil Eng students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of the Pacific Civil Engineering Report
Loyola Marymount University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.
Loyola Marymount not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $32,730 for california civil eng students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Loyola Marymount.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Loyola Marymount University Civil Engineering Report
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
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