2026 Best Value Structural Engineering Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in structural engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Structural Engineering Schools
Leading the list is California State University Northridge, our #1 best value for structural engineering in California. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $18,732. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $74,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned it the #2 place for structural engineering. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the structural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in structural engineering will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #3. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,400 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $77,511. Set against $16,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Students looking for strong value in structural engineering will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,444 in student loans. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $78,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value structural engineering schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $19,832 to complete the structural engineering program here. Structural Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Set against $19,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Southern California earned the #6 position for value in structural engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $88,144 early in their careers. Set against $8,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Structural Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/structural-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
