by our College Data Analytics TeamCivil Engineering encompasses anything to do with building. In this major you will learn how to design, plan, and run large building projects, whether that be bridges, buildings, roads, dams, airports, tunnels, and water supply systems. Civil engineers use modern technology to build fascinating projects and help construct the modern world. If you decide to major in civil engineering, you could work on incredible projects such as the English Channel Tunnel or even the Sears Tower.
Courses that you may be required to take could include: bridge engineering, calculus and analytical geometry, geology, physics, materials of construction, construction management, hydraulics, surveying and measuring, earthquake engineering, civil engineering ethics, transportation engineering, and reinforced concrete design.
Some of the concentrations in this major include: Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation and Highway Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering.
Studying Civil Engineering explores Civil Engineering. Read on to learn the essential details every civil engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering civil engineering programs.
Nationwide, civil engineering draws strong interest, with 20,005 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Civil Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 313 schools to determine the best overall colleges for civil engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of civil engineering programs later in this article.
Programs in Civil Engineering develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations civil engineering graduates commonly enter.
Did you love playing with Legos when you were younger? This major is idea for innovative problem-solvers who like to take things apart and put them back together. Not only will math and science become part of your daily work, but writing will also be necessary. You need to have good communication skills to explain your work to others, especially to those who are not in your field. You will also learn how to read blueprints and how to work within building codes.
Both in college and in your career as a Civil Engineer, you will work on a lot of team projects. Learn to become a team player, listening to others ideas while at the same time promoting your own vision. You may have to make tough decisions on whether a plan is feasible both regarding safety and finances.
Skills developed in a civil engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a civil engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several civil engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 110 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 13,644 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5,056 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,195 |
People currently working in careers related to civil engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 39.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 24.5% |
| Master’s degree | 12.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.4% |
| First professional degree | 1.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.0% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in civil engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Although you only need a bachelor's degree in order to become a civil engineer, many civil engineers have a master's degree. This is necessary in order to become a job manager as well as obtain a license. Civil Engineers can decide what interests them the most and follow that direction. You can design roller coasters, build bridges, create eight lane highways or erect earthquake-safe buildings. The possibilities are endless.
Civil engineers are needed to help create and maintain the nation's infrastructure like roads, bridges, and dams. As population continues to grow, water systems need to be maintained and civil engineers will play a key part in it all.
A degree in civil engineering prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to civil engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to civil engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Petroleum Engineers | 432,291 | 13.1% |
| Transportation Engineers | 392,941 | 1.1% |
| Water/Wastewater Engineers | 383,114 | 5.6% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of civil engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $71,056 |
| 4 years | $78,886 |
| 5 years | $88,976 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for civil engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers civil engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $138,303 |
| Petroleum Engineers | $137,336 |
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Transportation Engineers | $120,210 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
With 313 different civil engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased civil engineering school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in civil engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering, General | 19,293 |
| Structural Engineering | 338 |
| Civil Engineering, Other | 173 |
| Transportation and Highway Engineering | 127 |
| Water Resources Engineering | 53 |
| Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering | 21 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
| Engineering, Other | 3,529 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
