2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 58 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools in the Southeast Region. 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, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,121 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $74,329 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,121 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $66,215. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #3 place for civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,374. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $81,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Holmes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $13,191. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $32,145. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,866 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $73,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in civil engineering this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,000. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $76,195 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University earned the #7 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #8 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,957 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $78,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Florida State University came in at #9 for value in civil engineering this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,199. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $67,050. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University landed the #10 spot for civil engineering value this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University Institute Of Technology earned the #11 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Beckley, West Virginia University Institute Of Technology is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from West Virginia University Institute Of Technology generally make around $67,062. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida landed the #12 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $23,622 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $65,622. Set against $23,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Louisiana Tech University earned the #13 position for value in civil engineering this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $61,868. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Georgia earned the #14 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,744 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #15 for value in civil engineering this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,480. Civil Engineering graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $64,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #16 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $31,000. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $70,474. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $22,100. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $60,086. Set against $22,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,399. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $48,847. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #19 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $69,177 early in their careers. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of New Orleans came in at #20 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,750. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of New Orleans generally make around $65,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University came in at #21 for value in civil engineering this year. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $38,719. That is a strong return on a $26,824 median debt. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #22 spot for civil engineering value this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,870 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $63,577. That is a strong return on a $20,870 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,500. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $58,112. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #24 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $64,780 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University placed #25 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s civil engineering value ranking:
Narrow Civil Engineering Schools by State
More Civil Engineering Rankings
View All Civil Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
