2021 Best Value Colleges for Civil Engineering
Finding the Best Value Civil Engineering School for You
Civil Engineering is the #36 most popular major in the country with 14,832 bachelor's degrees awarded in 2018-2019.
For this year's Best Value Colleges for Civil Engineering ranking, we looked at 182 colleges that offer a bachelor's in civil eng. When talking about the 'best value', we do not simply mean those with the lowest price. We are more focused on civil eng schools that offer a high quality education at a price lower that other schools of similar academic excellence.
When calculating average cost, we take tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other related expenses into account. We then subtract the average financial aid award. The is meant to give you an idea of how much money you'll need to pay out-of-pocket through loans, external scholarships, or other methods. Depending on your income and other factors, the cost for you to attend a particular school may be more or less.
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More Ways to Rank Civil Engineering Schools
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 ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
2021 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Best Civil Engineering Colleges for the Money.
Top 25 Best Value Civil Eng Schools
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology landed the #1 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Rapid City, SD Mines is a public school with a small student population. SD Mines also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Civil Engineering list. It's in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
It takes about 4.8 years for the average student at SD Mines to complete their degree, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $24,129. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the SD Mines is $116,543. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
After completing their bachelor's degree, civil eng graduates from SD Mines carry an average student debtload of $26,569. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $282.
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The #2 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of Florida. Located in the city of Gainesville, U of F is a public college with a fairly large student population. U of F excels when it comes to quality. It's ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Civil Engineering list.
It takes the average student at U of F about 4.3 years to graduate, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $28,230. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the U of F is $120,542. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
While working on their bachelor's, civil eng majors at U of F accumulate an average of around $20,413 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $196.
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Iowa State University earned the #3 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the small city of Ames, Iowa State is a public school with a very large student population. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Iowa State also is in the top 20% of our Best Colleges for Civil Engineering ranking.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Iowa State is 4.4 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $26,749. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State is $118,231. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
The average amount in student loans that civil eng majors at Iowa State take out while working on their bachelor's is $24,485. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $267, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Missouri University of Science and Technology earned the #4 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the remote town of Rolla, Missouri University of Science and Technology is a public school with a moderately-sized student population. Missouri University of Science and Technology did well in our quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Colleges for Civil Engineering list.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Missouri University of Science and Technology is 4.8 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $29,213. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology is $139,346. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
While working on their bachelor's, civil eng majors at Missouri University of Science and Technology accumulate an average of around $23,616 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $259.
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Brigham Young University - Provo earned the #5 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the midsize city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.
At BYU, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 5.2 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $12,239. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from BYU is $64,132. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
Civil Eng majors at BYU take out an average of $14,516 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $114, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of South Florida - Main Campus earned the #6 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average student at USF Tampa graduates in less than 4.3 years, and it costs about $23,095 per year to attend the school. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the USF Tampa is $99,308. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
The average amount in student loans that civil eng majors at USF Tampa take out while working on their bachelor's is $22,310. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $220.
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Texas Tech University comes in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech is a public college with a very large student population.
The average student at Texas Tech graduates in less than 4.5 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $23,296. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Texas Tech is $105,298. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
On average, civil eng graduates from Texas Tech take out $25,333 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $269.
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North Carolina State University comes in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in the city of Raleigh, NC State is a public school with a fairly large student population. NC State excels when it comes to quality. It's ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Civil Engineering list.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at NC State is 4.4 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $28,493. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from NC State is $124,799. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
Civil Eng majors at NC State take out an average of $21,452 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $250.
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Our rankings recognize Florida State University as the #9 school in this year's rankings. Florida State is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Tallahassee.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Florida State is 4.2 years, and it costs about $27,233 per year to attend the school. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Florida State is about $115,196. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
While working on their bachelor's, civil eng majors at Florida State accumulate an average of around $22,571 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $259.
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North Dakota State University - Main Campus comes in at #10 in this year's ranking. North Dakota State University is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Fargo.
At North Dakota State University, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.5 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $21,224. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University is $96,145. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
On average, civil eng graduates from North Dakota State University take out $23,614 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $280, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Houston earned the #11 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the city of Houston, U of H is a public school with a very large student population.
It takes the average student at U of H about 4.6 years to graduate, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $25,217. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from U of H is $116,503. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
On average, civil eng graduates from U of H take out $21,212 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $188.
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Virginia Tech comes in at #12 in this year's ranking. Virginia Tech is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Tech also made our Best Colleges for Civil Engineering list, coming in at #7.
At Virginia Tech, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.3 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $33,298. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech is about $142,182. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
After completing their bachelor's degree, civil eng graduates from Virginia Tech carry an average student debtload of $21,318. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $241.
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Ohio Northern University earned the #13 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the fringe town of Ada, ONU is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average student at ONU graduates in less than 4.2 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $27,759. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the ONU is $117,421. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
On average, civil eng graduates from ONU take out $22,943 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $280, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Wyoming earned the #14 spot in our 2021 rankings. U of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie.
It takes the average student at U of Wyoming about 4.6 years to graduate, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $20,323. This means that the average student pays around $94,299 to get a bachelor’s degree from U of Wyoming. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
On average, civil eng graduates from U of Wyoming take out $20,858 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $227.
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Arizona State University - Tempe earned the #15 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the medium-sized city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at ASU - Tempe is 4.3 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $32,198. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from ASU - Tempe be around $138,451. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
On average, civil eng graduates from ASU - Tempe take out $21,889 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $237.
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University of Central Florida landed the #16 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value civil engineering schools. UCF is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Orlando.
At UCF, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.5 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $27,064. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the UCF is $120,976. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
The average amount in student loans that civil eng majors at UCF take out while working on their bachelor's is $22,518. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $234.
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Bradley University comes in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Bradley is 4.3 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $30,832. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Bradley is $131,344. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
On average, civil eng graduates from Bradley take out $22,197 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $280, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Our rankings recognize California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo as the #18 school in this year's rankings. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public college with a very large student population. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo excels when it comes to quality. It's ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Civil Engineering list.
It takes about 4.5 years for the average student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to complete their degree, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $32,197. This means that the average student pays around $143,921 to get a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
While working on their bachelor's, civil eng majors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo accumulate an average of around $18,842 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $202.
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The #19 spot in this year's ranking belongs to South Dakota State University. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average student at South Dakota State graduates in less than 4.4 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $20,370. This means that the average student pays around $89,628 to get a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
The average amount in student loans that civil eng majors at South Dakota State take out while working on their bachelor's is $26,261. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $280, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Our rankings recognize University of Nebraska - Lincoln as the #20 school in this year's rankings. UNL is a very large public school located in the large city of Lincoln.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at UNL is 4.5 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $28,697. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the UNL is $128,563. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
Civil Eng majors at UNL take out an average of $18,277 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $176, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Illinois Institute of Technology comes in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in the large city of Chicago, Illinois Tech is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population. As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois Tech, the school also landed the #3 rank in our Best Colleges for Civil Engineering ranking.
At Illinois Tech, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.5 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $36,813. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Illinois Tech is $166,763. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
After completing their bachelor's degree, civil eng graduates from Illinois Tech carry an average student debtload of $24,057. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $275.
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Purdue University - Main Campus earned the #22 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public college with a very large student population.
It takes the average student at Purdue about 4.4 years to graduate, and it costs about $28,495 per year to attend the school. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from Purdue be around $124,238. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
On average, civil eng graduates from Purdue take out $19,891 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $207, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Clarkson University earned the #23 spot in our 2021 rankings. Clarkson is a small private not-for-profit school located in the remote town of Potsdam. Clarkson excels when it comes to quality. It's ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Civil Engineering list.
At Clarkson, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.2 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $38,814. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Clarkson is $164,571. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
Civil Eng majors at Clarkson take out an average of $22,736 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $270, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Florida International University earned the #24 spot in our 2021 rankings. FIU is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Miami.
It takes about 4.7 years for the average student at FIU to complete their degree, and it costs about $26,777 per year to attend the school. This means that the average student pays around $124,513 to get a bachelor’s degree from FIU. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
On average, civil eng graduates from FIU take out $20,641 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $162, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Valparaiso University earned the #25 spot in our 2021 rankings. Valpo is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Valparaiso.
It takes about 4.1 years for the average student at Valpo to complete their degree, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $29,768. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Valpo is $122,644. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
The average amount in student loans that civil eng majors at Valpo take out while working on their bachelor's is $23,471. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $280, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great schools for Civil Engineering students that almost earned our Best Value Colleges for Civil Engineering award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | California State University - Long Beach | Long Beach, CA |
| 29 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL |
| 30 | Michigan Technological University | Houghton, MI |
| 31 | University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, MA |
| 32 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus | Atlanta, GA |
| 33 | University of Illinois at Chicago | Chicago, IL |
| 34 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona | Pomona, CA |
| 35 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN |
| 36 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins | Fort Collins, CO |
Civil Engineering by Region
View the Best Value Colleges for Civil Engineering for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
Rankings in Majors Related to Civil Eng
One of 38 majors within the Engineering area of study, Civil Engineering has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Majors Related to Civil Eng
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 37,343 |
| Electrical Engineering | 17,946 |
| Chemical Engineering | 11,423 |
| Computer Engineering | 10,704 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 7,921 |
View All Civil Eng Related Majors >
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Master Sgt. Roger Parsons.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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