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2027 Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

36 Colleges in the United States
2,664 Civil Engineering Degrees Awarded
$70,369 Avg Early-Career Salary

Civil Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their civil engineering programs.

College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best civil engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Civil Engineering in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall civil engineering education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Civil Engineering

1

No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year for civil engineering. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 69 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $78,551 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full civil engineering program report for Northwestern University

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in civil engineering, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 343 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $76,248 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,054 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in civil engineering from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for a strong civil engineering program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. 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. See the full civil engineering program report for Purdue University Main Campus

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in civil engineering, ranking #4. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 75 civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $73,722 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the top schools for civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 65 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $74,499 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $20,100 in student loans. Get the full civil engineering details for University Of Notre Dame

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #6 position for civil engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 102 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $78,253 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full civil engineering details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

7

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best civil engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 156 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $68,031 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,545. Get the full civil engineering details for Ohio State University Main Campus

8
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #8 position for civil engineering this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 140 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $72,048 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the civil engineering program at Michigan State University

9

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. About 99 civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $71,377 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

10

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 78% of students finish within six years. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology awarded about 34 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,821. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $24,132 in student loans. Read more about the civil engineering program at Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology

11

University Of Dayton landed the #11 spot for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 99 civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $71,411 early in their careers. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Dayton

12

Case Western Reserve University landed the #12 spot for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 29 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,266 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,190 to complete this degree. Read more about the civil engineering program at Case Western Reserve University

13

Milwaukee School Of Engineering placed #13 among the best civil engineering schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. About 67% of students finish within six years. Milwaukee School Of Engineering awarded about 53 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Milwaukee School Of Engineering earn a median of $72,940 early in their careers. Milwaukee School Of Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,667 in student loans. Get the full civil engineering details for Milwaukee School Of Engineering

14

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best civil engineering schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 112 civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $74,843 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $24,382 in student loans. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

15

University Of Southern Indiana ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best civil engineering schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Evansville. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 14 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Typical student debt for the program is $21,999. More information about a degree in civil engineering from University Of Southern Indiana

16

Michigan Technological University landed the #16 spot for civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 116 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Michigan Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $74,872. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University

17

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #17 position for civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 87 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $67,260 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,275 to complete this degree. See the full civil engineering program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

18

University Of Toledo came in at #18 for civil engineering this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. University Of Toledo graduates 58% of students within six years. University Of Toledo awarded about 48 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $70,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Toledo

19

Bradley University placed #19 among the best civil engineering schools. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. About 76% of students finish within six years. Bradley University awarded about 48 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $72,573 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full civil engineering details for Bradley University

20

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #20 for civil engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Platteville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 79 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $69,582 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,522. See the full civil engineering program report for University Of Wisconsin Platteville

21

Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 55 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from Illinois Institute Of Technology earn around $75,829 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full civil engineering program report for Illinois Institute Of Technology

22
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best civil engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $68,386. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full civil engineering program report for Marquette University

23

Lawrence Technological University placed #23 among the best civil engineering schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Southfield. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $77,836 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,197 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in civil engineering from Lawrence Technological University

24

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #24 for civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 62 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $75,065 in their early career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in civil engineering from Ohio University Main Campus

25

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #25 among the best civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $66,820. Typical student debt for the program is $21,701. Get the full civil engineering details for University Of Akron Main Campus

Rest of the Top 36 Civil Engineering Schools

These schools also placed among the best for civil engineering this year:

26
27
28
29
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
30
31
Valparaiso University crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN
32
33
Trine University crest
Trine University
Angola, IN
34
35
36

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 36 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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