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2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for general civil engineering in California. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. 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 $80,203 early in their careers. Set against $13,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 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. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $18,767 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $73,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,267 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $16,437. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $73,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,437 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
ADBLOCK #101
California State University Sacramento landed the #6 spot for general civil engineering value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. 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 $79,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,124 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #8 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $10,492. General Civil Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $83,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University ranked #10 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
San Francisco State University earned the #11 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. 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. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $68,256. Set against $18,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #12 for value in general civil engineering this year. University Of California 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 $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,444 in student loans. General Civil 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. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #13 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, 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.
California State University Chico came in at #14 for value in general civil engineering this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $72,350. Set against $21,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #15 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $16,101 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $81,037. Set against $16,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #16 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $20,424 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $83,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #17 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $19,832 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $79,972. That is a strong return on a $19,832 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of The Pacific landed the #18 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $77,022. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.
California Baptist University placed #19 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $73,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Southern California landed the #20 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $8,125. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $88,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
[General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
