by our College Data Analytics Team
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their civil engineering graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying civil engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send civil engineering graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is George Washington University, our #1 for civil engineering graduate salaries in the United States. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Civil Engineering graduates of George Washington University earn a median of about $113,579 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Vanderbilt University earned it the #2 place for civil engineering. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from Vanderbilt University typically earn about $107,563 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University typically earn about $106,890 annually.
San Jose State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in civil engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. San Jose State University is a public school located in the city of San Jose. Civil Engineering graduates of San Jose State University earn a median of about $106,415 a year early in their careers.
University Of The Pacific produces some of the highest-paid graduates in civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Early-career civil engineering graduates from University Of The Pacific make a median of around $103,144 per year.
University Of Southern California earned the #6 position for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $116,779.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying civil engineering schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Civil Engineering graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of about $96,195 a year early in their careers.
Santa Clara University landed the #8 spot for civil engineering salaries this year. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $111,831.
Rice University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from Rice University typically earn about $94,796 annually.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #10 position for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $101,618.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #11 spot for civil engineering salaries this year. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $104,581 a year early in their careers.
Cornell University earned the #12 position for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from Cornell University typically earn about $100,258 annually.
Catholic University Of America landed the #13 spot for civil engineering salaries this year. Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Early-career civil engineering graduates from Catholic University Of America make a median of around $103,238 per year.
Loyola Marymount University earned the #14 position for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,790.
Manhattan College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from Manhattan College make a median of around $105,202 per year.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles typically earn about $102,084 annually.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. Civil Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $99,934 a year early in their careers.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #18 position for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Civil Engineering graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $97,994 a year early in their careers.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis typically earn about $84,523 annually.
University Of California Davis earned the #20 position for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from University Of California Davis make a median of around $98,091 per year.
California State University Chico came in at #21 for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. California State University Chico is a public school located in the city of Chico. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Chico typically earn about $101,629 annually.
George Mason University earned the #22 position for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $95,921 per year.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #23 position for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. California State University Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $99,644 a year early in their careers.
Syracuse University came in at #24 for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $97,093.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school located in the city of College Station. Early-career civil engineering graduates from Texas A And M University College Station make a median of around $95,279 per year.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning civil engineering graduates:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Civil Engineering rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their civil engineering graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
