2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 43 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 Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for civil engineering in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earned it the #4 place for civil engineering. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,820. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,805 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art generally make around $16,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #5 place for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,437. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $76,731 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #6 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Students borrow a median of $24,085 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $78,994 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,085 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome came in at #8 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,625, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,146 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome generally make around $63,637. That is a strong return on a $19,146 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Delaware earned the #9 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. 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 $70,100. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University landed the #10 spot for civil engineering value this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $71,856. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #11 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $88,198 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
York College Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $53,667. Set against $26,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
Morgan State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $70,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $22,913. Civil Engineering graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $66,207 early in their careers. Set against $22,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #15 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,330. Civil Engineering graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #16 for value in civil engineering this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $66,943 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,000. Civil Engineering graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $67,362 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #18 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,291 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $75,500. Set against $26,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #19 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg generally make around $67,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Manhattan College came in at #20 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,400. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $83,321. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Manhattan College admits about 79% of applicants.
Cornell University came in at #21 for value in civil engineering this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $12,750. Civil Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $80,811 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Widener University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,730. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $69,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology earned the #23 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $24,371. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Technology generally make around $52,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The College Of New Jersey earned the #24 position for value in civil engineering this year. The College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Ewing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $71,649. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Temple University came in at #25 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,665 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $68,389. That is a strong return on a $26,665 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s civil engineering value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
