2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong civil engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 134 schools to find the best return on investment for civil engineering students.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in civil engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $10,888. Civil Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $20,121 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $75,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $13,548. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $87,800 early in their careers. Set against $13,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,732 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $86,091. Set against $18,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,374 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $93,343. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego landed the #6 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $16,400. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $89,543. Set against $16,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #7 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #8 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $19,124 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $87,247. Set against $19,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #9 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $81,415. Set against $19,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #10 position for value in civil engineering this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $73,342. That is a strong return on a $16,437 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,957 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $80,401. That is a strong return on a $22,957 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,392 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $78,142 early in their careers. Set against $14,392 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Stanford University earned the #13 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $83,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #14 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,866 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $83,099. That is a strong return on a $23,866 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #15 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $18,750. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $79,679 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #16 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,250. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $66,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #17 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,874 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $87,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #18 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,199 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #19 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $82,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #20 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $54,182. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #21 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $24,382 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $80,376 early in their careers. Set against $24,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #22 position for value in civil engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #23 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $22,763 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $69,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,382 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,382 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
San Francisco State University landed the #25 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,873 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $68,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,873 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for civil engineering this year:
Other Civil Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value civil engineering schools at other degree levels:
View All Civil Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 134 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.
