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2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in Illinois
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
For return on investment in general civil engineering, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $24,382 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $74,843. That is a strong return on a $24,382 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,275 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $67,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,054. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $76,248. That is a strong return on a $19,054 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #4 place for general civil engineering. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,781. General Civil Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $65,269 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,781 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at Illinois Institute Of Technology, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $75,829. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
ADBLOCK #101
Bradley University landed the #6 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $72,573. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Northwestern University came in at #7 for value in general civil engineering this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $16,616. General Civil Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
[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.
