2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for civil engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked York College Pennsylvania the best value for a degree in civil engineering in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,537. 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. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,330. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $66,943. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg one of the best values for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,838. 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.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,371 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $52,133. That is a strong return on a $24,371 median debt.
Widener University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,730 in tuition and fees. 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University came in at #7 for value in civil engineering this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. 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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #8 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #9 position for value in civil engineering this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $72,411. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,838. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Lafayette College came in at #11 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,648. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $70,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Lafayette College admits about 31% of applicants.
Lehigh University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $73,545. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
Drexel University came in at #13 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $74,520. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Bucknell University landed the #14 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,812. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Civil Engineering graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $80,231 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bucknell University admits about 29% of applicants.
Villanova University placed #15 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $80,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
More Civil Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
