by our College Data Analytics Team
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil engineering students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
El Paso Community College earned the #1 spot for value among civil engineering schools in the Southwest Region. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for civil engineering. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $54,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes Lamar University one of the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for civil engineering. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $13,382 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $60,212. Set against $13,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,293 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $60,287 early in their careers. Set against $16,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Rice University earned the #6 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #7 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $69,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #8 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $24,625. Civil Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $66,429 early in their careers. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,670 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $67,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,670 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $73,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Houston placed #11 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $74,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #12 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $72,209. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northern Arizona University came in at #13 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $66,589 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #14 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,807. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $67,302 early in their careers. Set against $23,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #15 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $62,923. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Angelo State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,241 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $56,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,241 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $69,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #18 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $47,456 early in their careers. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $71,176. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #20 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $74,655 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas Southern University placed #21 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $41,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #22 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,030. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $79,334. Set against $21,030 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
West Texas A And M University came in at #23 for value in civil engineering this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,101, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #24 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $76,016 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Letourneau University came in at #25 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Longview, Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,160. Students borrow a median of $32,086 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $53,569. Set against $32,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s civil engineering value ranking:
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.