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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying civil engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose civil engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in civil engineering, no school beat Manhattan College this year. Located in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from Manhattan College typically earn about $107,821 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Syracuse University one of the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Early-career civil engineering graduates from Syracuse University make a median of around $97,093 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at New York University earned it the #3 place for civil engineering. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Civil Engineering graduates of New York University earn a median of about $98,745 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in civil engineering will find them at Cornell University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $100,974.
A rank of #5 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $98,392.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #6 for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute make a median of around $95,893 per year.
Cuny City College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a public institution. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College typically earn about $90,337 annually.
Clarkson University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Set in the town of Potsdam, Clarkson University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from Clarkson University typically earn about $83,782 annually.
Stony Brook University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a public institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from Stony Brook University make a median of around $71,856 per year.
University At Buffalo earned the #10 position for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a public institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from University At Buffalo make a median of around $79,069 per year.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome landed the #11 spot for civil engineering salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a public institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome make a median of around $63,637 per year.
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 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.
