2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for general civil engineering in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,548 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $80,203 early in their careers. Set against $13,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $20,121 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $74,329. Set against $20,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $18,767. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $73,178. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $67,194. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

5

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,267 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $71,093 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #6 spot for general civil engineering value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $16,437 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $73,342. Set against $16,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

7

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,732 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,430. That is a strong return on a $18,732 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

8

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $83,740. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,124. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $79,295. Set against $19,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

10

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #10 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $8,858. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.

11

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #11 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

12

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #12 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $16,500. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $75,758. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

13

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $66,215 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $21,374. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $81,332. Set against $21,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

15

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University earned the #15 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #16 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,700. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $73,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

17

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho placed #17 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

18

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $76,195 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

19

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College landed the #19 spot for general civil engineering value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.

20

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #20 among the best values for general civil engineering. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,866. General Civil Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $73,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

21

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University earned the #21 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

22

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,382 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $60,212. That is a strong return on a $13,382 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

23

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #23 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,874 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $80,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

24

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #24 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,199 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $67,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

25

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.