2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

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 Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,548 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $80,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,767 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $73,178. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $71,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,732 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $74,430 early in their careers. Set against $18,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

6

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #6 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

7

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #7 spot for general civil engineering value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $79,295. That is a strong return on a $19,124 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #8 among the best values for general civil engineering. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $16,500. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $75,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #9 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,700 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $73,835. That is a strong return on a $19,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

10

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #10 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,763 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $69,629. That is a strong return on a $22,763 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

11

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks landed the #11 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $71,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #12 position for value in general civil engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,874 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $80,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

13

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,873 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $68,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

14

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #14 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

15

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #15 among the best values for general civil engineering. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,444 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $78,463. That is a strong return on a $19,444 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

16

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #16 spot for general civil engineering value this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $70,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.

17

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $67,509. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #18 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,392 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $78,142. That is a strong return on a $14,392 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

19

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University placed #19 among the best values for general civil engineering. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $74,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $16,101. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $81,037. That is a strong return on a $16,101 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

21

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico placed #21 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Students borrow a median of $21,583 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $72,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

22

University Of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK

University Of Alaska Anchorage ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,738, compared with $21,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $31,000. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Alaska Anchorage earn a median of $72,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #23 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $20,424. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $83,280. That is a strong return on a $20,424 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.

24

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #24 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,832 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $79,972. Set against $19,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.

25

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno earned the #25 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,250. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $67,379. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.