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2025 Best Civil Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools

244 Colleges in the United States
14,747 Bachelor's Degrees
$69,092 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #35 in popularity, civil engineering is one of the most sought-after bachelor's degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual looked at 244 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Civil Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 14,747 bachelor's degrees in civil engineering during the 2021-2022 academic year.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Civil Engineering School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Civil Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools The civil eng bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality civil eng program can vary widely even among the top schools. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:

Quality Overall Is Important

The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Earnings

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for civil engineering students working on their bachelor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Civil Eng Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Civil Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Civil Engineering in the United States

Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for civil engineering students seeking a a bachelor's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Civil Eng

1

It's hard to beat University of California - Davis if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. UC Davis is a very large public university located in the suburb of Davis.

Bachelor's recipients from the civil engineering degree program at University of California - Davis get $6,073 above the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from University of California - Davis

2

It is difficult to beat University of Southern California if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Those civil engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Southern California earn $16,170 more than the standard civil eng grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from University of Southern California

3

Any student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in civil engineering has to check out New Jersey Institute of Technology. NJIT is a large public school located in the large city of Newark.

After graduating, civil eng bachelor's recipients usually make an average of $68,288 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology

4
202 Annual Graduates
$75,793 Median Starting Salary
$31,714 Median Student Debt

Texas A&M University - College Station is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the midsize city of College Station.

Civil Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from Texas A&M University - College Station earn a boost of about $6,701 above the average income of civil engineering graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Texas A&M University - College Station

5
157 Annual Graduates
$73,397 Median Starting Salary
$40,295 Median Student Debt

UIUC is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Champaign.

Those civil engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign make $4,305 more than the standard civil eng grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

6
106 Annual Graduates
$75,688 Median Starting Salary
$31,609 Median Student Debt

Georgia Tech is a very large public school located in the large city of Atlanta.

Those civil engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus earn $6,596 more than the typical civil eng graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

7

Located in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

Civil Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from Stevens Institute of Technology receive an earnings boost of about $4,919 over the average income of civil engineering graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology

8

Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Those civil engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from University of California - Berkeley earn $9,050 more than the standard civil eng grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from University of California - Berkeley

9

UW Seattle is a fairly large public university located in the city of Seattle.

Civil Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from University of Washington - Seattle Campus get an earnings boost of approximately $4,265 over the average earnings of civil engineering graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

10

Located in the large city of Boston, Northeastern is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Those civil engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from Northeastern University make $7,270 more than the typical civil eng grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Northeastern University

11
34 Annual Graduates

Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Pittsburgh.More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Carnegie Mellon University

12

UCLA is a very large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles.

Bachelor's recipients from the civil engineering degree program at University of California - Los Angeles make $6,418 more than the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from University of California - Los Angeles

13
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
204 Annual Graduates
$74,285 Median Starting Salary
$52,348 Median Student Debt

Virginia Tech is a fairly large public school located in the city of Blacksburg.

Civil Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from Virginia Tech earn a boost of around $5,193 over the average income of civil engineering majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Virginia Tech

14

Located in the midsize city of Worcester, WPI is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

Those civil engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute receive $7,327 more than the typical civil eng student.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute

15
130 Annual Graduates
$80,673 Median Starting Salary
$29,140 Median Student Debt

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo.

Bachelor's recipients from the civil engineering degree program at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo earn $11,581 more than the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

16

Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the civil engineering degree program at Cornell University make $11,169 above the typical college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Cornell University

17
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY

NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York.

Those civil engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from New York University receive $3,536 more than the typical civil eng graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from New York University

18
122 Annual Graduates
$72,502 Median Starting Salary
$31,501 Median Student Debt

Iowa State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Ames.

Those civil engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from Iowa State University make $3,410 more than the typical civil eng student.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Iowa State University

19
16 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Northwestern University

20
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
12 Annual Graduates

Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Durham.More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Duke University

21
143 Annual Graduates
$75,153 Median Starting Salary
$48,838 Median Student Debt

UT Austin is a fairly large public university located in the city of Austin.

Those civil engineering students who get their bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin make $6,061 more than the standard civil eng grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from The University of Texas at Austin

22

Located in the city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the civil eng program make about $65,478 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from University of California - San Diego

23

Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Soon after graduating, civil eng bachelor's recipients generally make an average of $67,764 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

24
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
124 Annual Graduates
$69,386 Median Starting Salary
$23,214 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized suburb of Clemson, Clemson is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Soon after graduating, civil eng bachelor's recipients generally make an average of $69,386 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Clemson University

25

Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Notre Dame.

Civil Engineering bachelor's degree recipients from University of Notre Dame get an earnings boost of around $5,407 over the average earnings of civil engineering graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in civil engineering from University of Notre Dame

Rest of the Top Best Civil Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools

26
27
28
29
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
30
31
32

33

34
35
Lehigh crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
36
37
38
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
39
40
41

42

43
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
44
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
45
46
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
47
48

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Civil Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
49 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
50 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
51 Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI
52 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
53 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
54 Rice University Houston, TX
55 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
56 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
57 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
58 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ
59 Tufts University Medford, MA
60 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
61 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
62 Washington State University Pullman, WA
63 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
64 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
65 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
66 George Washington University Washington, DC
67 Manhattan College Riverdale, NY
68 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
69 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
70 Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH
71 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
72 Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL
73 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
74 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
75 North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND
76 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
77 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
78 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
79 Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, IN
80 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
81 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY

Civil Engineering by Region

View the Best Civil Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Civil Engineering is one of 41 different types of Engineering programs to choose from.

Civil Eng Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Civil Engineering 14,549
Structural Engineering 155
Civil Engineering 22
Trasportation Engineering 17
Water Resources Engineering 4

Majors Similar to Civil Eng

Related Major Annual Graduates
Mechanical Engineering 35,501
Electrical Engineering 16,470
Computer Engineering 12,226
Chemical Engineering 9,433
Biomedical Engineering 8,599
Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering 5,944
Industrial Engineering 5,551
General Engineering 2,706
Environmental Engineering 1,916
Materials Engineering 1,535

Notes and References

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