2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
23
Ranked Colleges
3,198
Degrees Awarded
$17,600
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
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 Getting Aid” 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.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the civil engineering program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for california civil eng students with aid.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Civil Engineering in California (With Aid)
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford, 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 176 students in 2020-2021.
Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $12,894 for California Civil Eng students with aid.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at Stanford
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 95 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA also took the #20 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for california civil eng students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at California State University - Los Angeles
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 160 degrees to qualified ’s civil eng students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california civil eng students with aid list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for California Civil Eng students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, 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 96%.
Full University of California - Los Angeles Civil Engineering Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 192 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD also took the #7 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $15,240 for california civil eng students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 UCSD Civil Engineering Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Davis. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 243 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california civil eng students with aid list, UC Davis has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $15,768 for California Civil Eng students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at UC Davis
California State University - Fresno ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s civil eng degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $6,230 for California Civil Eng students with aid.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 California State University - Fresno
With a ranking of #7, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 took the #3 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,032 for California Civil Eng students with aid per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national 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.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at UC Berkeley
With a ranking of #8, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 171 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,054 for california civil eng students with aid per year to attend CSULB.
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 more about Civil Engineering at CSULB
With a ranking of #9, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 268 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,304 for california civil eng students with aid per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona
University of California - Irvine ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 142 students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $12,209 for california civil eng students with aid per year to attend UC Irvine.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Irvine Civil Engineering Report
California State University - Sacramento ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 179 ’s civil eng degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california civil eng students with aid list, Sac State has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for california civil eng students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at California State University - Sacramento
With a ranking of #12, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 161 diplomas to qualified ’s civil eng students in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $8,003 for California Civil Eng students with aid per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at Cal State Fullerton
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 162 students in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for California Civil Eng students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 SDSU
With a ranking of #14, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 117 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california civil eng students with aid list, CSUN has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $8,523 for california civil eng students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Northridge Civil Engineering Report
With a ranking of #15, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 169 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $16,542 for california civil eng students with aid.
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%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at San Jose State
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 214 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $20,677 for California Civil Eng students with aid per year to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
California State University - Chico ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Chico State is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 78 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $16,218 for California Civil Eng students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at Chico State
With a ranking of #18, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $14,459 for california civil eng students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 SFSU
University of Southern California landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 84 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
USC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $32,569 for California Civil Eng students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at USC
California Baptist University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 41 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Baptist, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Baptist is $26,719 for California Civil Eng students with aid.
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%.
Full Cal Baptist Civil Engineering Report
University of the Pacific ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Stockton, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 18 degrees to qualified ’s civil eng students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pacific, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $28,380 for california civil eng students with aid per year to attend Pacific.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at University of the Pacific
Santa Clara University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Santa Clara University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Clara, California. It awarded 24 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
SCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Santa Clara University is $42,614 for california civil eng students with aid.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at Santa Clara University
Loyola Marymount University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Civil Eng Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Loyola Marymount is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 36 ’s civil eng degrees 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 $44,467 for California Civil Eng students with aid per year to attend Loyola Marymount.
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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Civil Engineering at Loyola Marymount
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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.
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