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2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in general civil engineering in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,548 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $72,606 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,548 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $20,121. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $72,889 early in their careers. Set against $20,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for general civil engineering. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,767 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for general civil engineering. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for general civil engineering. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,267 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $71,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
California State University Long Beach placed #6 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #7 for value in general civil engineering this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,732 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $62,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,732 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #8 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $19,124 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $71,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University earned the #9 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $66,215. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Princeton University earned the #10 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. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #11 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $75,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of California Irvine earned the #12 position for value in general civil engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,700 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $73,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University placed #13 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
University Of Central Florida landed the #14 spot for general civil engineering value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,374 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $69,321. Set against $21,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #15 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #16 spot for general civil engineering value this year. 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. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $70,047. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in general civil engineering this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #18 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $11,904. General Civil Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #19 for value in general civil engineering this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,199 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $67,050 early in their careers. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #20 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,866. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $64,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #21 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,874 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $73,357 early in their careers. Set against $14,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #22 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #23 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $22,763 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $69,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for general civil engineering. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $22,957. General Civil Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $75,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,957 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #25 for value in general civil engineering this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $54,182. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general civil engineering this year:
Other General Civil Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Civil Engineering rankings across degree levels:
[General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
