2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 best value for general civil engineering in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $76,547. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $24,382. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $74,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,382 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

3

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $18,750. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $73,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern Indiana one of the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

5

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $22,275. General Civil Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $67,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,275 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in general civil engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,054. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $76,248. Set against $19,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

7

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest came in at #7 for value in general civil engineering this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $69,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.

8

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #8 for value in general civil engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,522 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $69,582. That is a strong return on a $23,522 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

9

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #9 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $24,119. General Civil Engineering graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

10

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University placed #10 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $30,548. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $76,348. Set against $30,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

11

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $59,149. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

12

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in general civil engineering this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,701 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $66,820. Set against $21,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

13

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University landed the #13 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $74,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,250. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $78,253. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

15

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #15 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,781 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $65,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

16

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University landed the #16 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $66,295. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

17

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,545. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $68,031. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.

18

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #18 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $64,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

19

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo earned the #19 position for value in general civil engineering this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $70,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.

20

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $75,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.

21

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University landed the #21 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $29,156 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $69,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

22

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #22 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $72,048. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

23

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $75,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

24

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for general civil engineering. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $71,377. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

25

Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University earned the #25 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Students from in state pay about $48,450 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 $69,549. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.