Civil Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 259 schools to find the best for civil engineering students.
Where you study civil engineering matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Civil Engineering Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Civil Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Civil Engineering in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best school in the country for a degree in civil engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 376 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $78,142 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,392 in student loans.
Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of California Berkeley
A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the top schools for civil engineering. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 33 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in civil engineering from Johns Hopkins University
Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in civil engineering, ranking #3. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 206 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $83,740. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
More information about a degree in civil engineering from Stanford University
Students looking for a strong civil engineering program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 87 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $88,144 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,125.
Get the full civil engineering details for University Of Southern California
Students looking for a strong civil engineering program will find one at Carnegie Mellon University, which ranked #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 100 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
Get the full civil engineering details for Carnegie Mellon University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #6 spot for civil engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 239 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $80,410. Students borrow a median of $14,874 to complete this degree.
See the full civil engineering program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Northwestern University landed the #7 spot for civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 69 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
See the full civil engineering program report for Northwestern University
Cornell University placed #8 among the best civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 100 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $80,811. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete this degree.
See the full civil engineering program report for Cornell University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 164 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $83,280 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,424.
Get the full civil engineering details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of California Irvine ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best civil engineering schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 121 civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $73,835 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,700 to complete this degree.
Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of California Irvine
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #11 spot for civil engineering this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 153 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $88,198 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
Get the full civil engineering details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #12 position for civil engineering this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 353 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $76,016 in their early career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Get the full civil engineering details for Texas A And M University College Station
University Of California Los Angeles placed #13 among the best civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 186 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $78,463 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $19,444 in student loans.
Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Maryland College Park placed #14 among the best civil engineering schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 111 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $76,731. Typical student debt for the program is $21,437.
More information about a degree in civil engineering from University Of Maryland College Park
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #15 for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 242 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $79,334 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,030 in student loans.
More information about a degree in civil engineering from The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #16 among the best civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 343 civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $76,248 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,054.
Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of California San Diego placed #17 among the best civil engineering schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 217 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $77,511 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,400 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in civil engineering from University Of California San Diego
University Of California Davis placed #18 among the best civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 202 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $81,037 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,101 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in civil engineering from University Of California Davis
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #19 position for civil engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 285 civil engineering degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $75,758 in their early career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in civil engineering from California State Polytechnic University Pomona
San Diego State University came in at #20 for civil engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 177 civil engineering degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $79,972 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,832.
More information about a degree in civil engineering from San Diego State University
San Jose State University earned the #21 position for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 136 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full civil engineering details for San Jose State University
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #22 position for civil engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 354 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $76,547 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
More information about a degree in civil engineering from Purdue University Main Campus
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best civil engineering schools. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. About 43 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $88,805 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete this degree.
Read more about the civil engineering program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Duke University placed #24 among the best civil engineering schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Duke University awarded about 38 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $83,388 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
Get the full civil engineering details for Duke University
Santa Clara University came in at #25 for civil engineering this year. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 30 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $84,883 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in civil engineering from Santa Clara University
Rest of the Top 50 Civil Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong civil engineering education:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 259 schools evaluated.
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).
