by our College Data Analytics Team
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the early-career earnings of their civil engineering graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send civil engineering graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Carnegie Mellon University the top school for civil engineering graduate earnings in Pennsylvania. Set 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 $110,205 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in civil engineering will find them at Bucknell University, which ranked #2. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. Early-career civil engineering graduates from Bucknell University make a median of around $88,296 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Lafayette College earned it the #3 place for civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from Lafayette College typically earn about $90,802 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Lehigh University one of the highest-paying schools for civil engineering. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from Lehigh University make a median of around $90,430 per year.
Drexel University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying civil engineering schools. Drexel University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Civil Engineering graduates of Drexel University earn a median of about $90,144 a year early in their careers.
Villanova University came in at #6 for civil engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from Villanova University typically earn about $87,148 annually.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. Early-career civil engineering graduates from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown make a median of around $88,756 per year.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying civil engineering schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. After graduating, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus typically earn about $90,369 annually.
Temple University landed the #9 spot for civil engineering salaries this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a public institution. Students who complete the civil engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $83,575.
Widener University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for civil engineering salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Civil Engineering graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of about $78,441 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 10 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.