by our College Data Analytics Team
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a civil engineering degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 86 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying civil engineering schools.
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Below are the schools whose civil engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #1 spot for highest-paid civil engineering graduates in the United States. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona make a median of around $117,917 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at San Jose State University earned it the #2 place for civil engineering. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. Civil Engineering graduates of San Jose State University earn a median of about $114,115 a year early in their careers.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from Carnegie Mellon University make a median of around $111,544 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Colorado Denver earned it the #4 place for civil engineering. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of about $108,443 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Berkeley produces some of the highest-paid graduates in civil engineering, landing the #5 spot 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 $107,621 a year early in their careers.
Santa Clara University earned the #6 position for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Civil Engineering graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of about $102,953 a year early in their careers.
Manhattan College landed the #7 spot for civil engineering salaries this year. Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $120,093.
University Of Nevada Reno placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. University Of Nevada Reno is a public school located in the city of Reno. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $102,489.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $102,242.
Stanford University came in at #10 for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from Stanford University make a median of around $122,256 per year.
University Of Southern California placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $110,412 a year early in their careers.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $113,353.
New York University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Civil Engineering graduates of New York University earn a median of about $103,711 a year early in their careers.
University Of Connecticut earned the #14 position for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. University Of Connecticut is a public school located in the town of Storrs. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $95,494.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin typically earn about $110,994 annually.
Clemson University landed the #16 spot for civil engineering salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a public institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from Clemson University make a median of around $94,175 per year.
University Of California San Diego landed the #17 spot for civil engineering salaries this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of about $100,777 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Alabama placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. The University Of Alabama is a public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of about $93,898 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fullerton came in at #19 for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. California State University Fullerton is a public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $102,350 a year early in their careers.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from University Of Washington Seattle Campus make a median of around $102,609 per year.
California State University Sacramento landed the #21 spot for civil engineering salaries this year. California State University Sacramento is a public school located in the city of Sacramento. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento typically earn about $102,565 annually.
University Of Central Florida came in at #22 for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. University Of Central Florida is a public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of about $93,343 a year early in their careers.
Norwich University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying civil engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $99,829.
University Of California Davis ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying civil engineering schools. University Of California Davis is a public school located in the suburb of Davis. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of about $101,971 a year early in their careers.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo typically earn about $103,431 annually.
These schools also send civil engineering graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Civil Engineering rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries civil engineering graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 86 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.
