2023 Best Value Colleges for Civil Engineering in the Plains States Region
18
Ranked Colleges
1,301
Degrees Awarded
$18,000
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 21,388 people earned their degree in civil engineering, making the major the 50th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, civil engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $63,364 and had an average of $24,364 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 1,301 civil engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,656 and $25,759 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in civil engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great civil engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the civil engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region civil eng students.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Civil Engineering in the Plains States Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region. North Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 75 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region civil eng students list, North Dakota State University has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,998 for plains states region civil eng students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at North Dakota State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region list. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 45 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $18,578 for plains states region civil eng students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at South Dakota State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, this small public school awarded 65 diplomas to qualified ’s civil eng students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region civil eng students list, SD Mines has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,919 for plains states region civil eng students per year to attend SD Mines.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Civil Engineering Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Dakota. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 47 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
UND also took the #11 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,966 for plains states region civil eng students per year to attend UND.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at UND
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 179 students in 2020-2021.
Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $16,002 for Plains States Region Civil Eng students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Iowa State University Civil Engineering Report
University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 69 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region civil eng students list, UMN Duluth has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $18,505 for plains states region civil eng students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at UMN Duluth
With a ranking of #7, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region list. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 130 students in 2020-2021.
UNL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for plains states region civil eng students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Civil Engineering Report
University of Kansas ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region list. KU is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 79 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
KU also took the #8 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $20,257 for plains states region civil eng students per year to attend KU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at University of Kansas
Kansas State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 64 degrees to qualified ’s civil eng students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region civil eng students list, K -State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,433 for Plains States Region Civil Eng students per year to attend Kansas State University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at Kansas State University
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 97 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region civil eng students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Full UMN Twin Cities Civil Engineering Report
Missouri University of Science and Technology landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Rolla, Missouri, and it awarded 168 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region civil eng students list, Missouri University of Science and Technology has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology is $12,964 for Plains States Region Civil Eng students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Civil Engineering Report
University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 73 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region civil eng students list, Mizzou has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $16,559 for Plains States Region Civil Eng students.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at Mizzou
Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 30 ’s civil eng degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for Plains States Region Civil Eng students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Civil Engineering at Minnesota State Mankato
University of Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #14. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 72 students in 2020-2021.
Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,401 for plains states region civil eng students per year to attend Iowa.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Iowa Civil Engineering Report
University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s civil eng students in 2020-2021.
UMKC also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $15,702 for Plains States Region Civil Eng students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Civil Engineering Report
Dordt University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #16. Sioux Center, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s civil eng degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.
Dordt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $24,313 for Plains States Region Civil Eng students per year to attend Dordt.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at Dordt
University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #17. University of Missouri - St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s civil eng degrees to qualified students.
UMSL also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $12,232 for Plains States Region Civil Eng students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Civil Engineering at University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Civil Eng Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 18 degrees to qualified ’s civil eng students in 2020-2021.
SLU also made our “Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for SLU is $25,039 for plains states region civil eng students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Saint Louis University Civil Engineering Report
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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