2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

1

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

For return on investment in general civil engineering, no school beat Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $26,330. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $44,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown
Johnstown, PA

A rank of #2 makes University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown one of the best values for general civil engineering. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. In-state tuition and fees average $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $66,943 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

3

York College Pennsylvania
York, PA

York College Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $53,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.

4

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg
Middletown, PA

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 98%.

5

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #5 makes Temple University one of the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,665 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $68,389. That is a strong return on a $26,665 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.

6

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #6 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $72,411. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.

7

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #7 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.

8

Widener University Main Campus
Chester, PA

Widener University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,730. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $69,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Widener University Main Campus admits about 71% of applicants.

9

Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,648. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $70,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lafayette College admits about 31% of applicants.

10

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in general civil engineering this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

11

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $73,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 26%.

12

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University came in at #12 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $74,520 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.

13

Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University landed the #13 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $80,231 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

14

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University landed the #14 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $80,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.