2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for general civil engineering in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $20,121 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $75,768. That is a strong return on a $20,121 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for general civil engineering. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,548 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $87,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $18,767. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $73,178. Set against $18,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $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.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for general civil engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $18,732. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $86,091. Set against $18,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

6

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #6 spot for general civil engineering value this year. 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. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $83,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

7

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #7 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

8

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #8 spot for general civil engineering value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,437 in student loans. 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.

9

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #9 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $93,343. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

10

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #10 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,866 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $83,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

11

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #11 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $75,758. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

12

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #12 spot for general civil engineering value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $19,124 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $87,247. Set against $19,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

13

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,700. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $73,835. That is a strong return on a $19,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

14

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University earned the #14 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

15

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #15 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. 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. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $87,462 early in their careers. Set against $14,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

16

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #16 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $82,342. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

17

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #17 position for value in general civil engineering this year. 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, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.

18

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,199 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $67,050. That is a strong return on a $23,199 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

19

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #19 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $22,763. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $69,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,763 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

20

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $13,382. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $60,212. That is a strong return on a $13,382 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

21

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #21 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,444. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $81,415 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

22

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $22,957. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $80,401. Set against $22,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.

23

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $80,376 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.

24

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $14,392. 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.

25

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in general civil engineering this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,500. General Civil Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $78,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.