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2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

52 Colleges in the United States
$24,513 Avg Student Debt
$58,695 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Badge [General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 64 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general civil engineering schools.

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2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in general civil engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $74,329. Set against $20,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. 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. General Civil Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $66,215 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #3 place for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,866 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $73,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $76,195. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.

5

University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $81,332 early in their careers. Set against $21,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #6 among the best values for general civil engineering. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,480. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $64,411. Set against $19,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

7
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,199 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $67,050 early in their careers. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

8

University Of North Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,622 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $65,622. That is a strong return on a $23,622 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.

9

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $22,957. General Civil Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $78,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

10
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University came in at #10 for value in general civil engineering this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $52,481. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

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11

West Virginia University earned the #11 position for value in general civil engineering this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $67,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

12

University Of Georgia earned the #12 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $26,744 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $73,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

13

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #13 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,747 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $65,419. That is a strong return on a $20,747 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

14
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University earned the #14 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $22,100. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $60,086. That is a strong return on a $22,100 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

15

Louisiana Tech University earned the #15 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $61,868. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.

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16

North Carolina A And T State University earned the #16 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $70,474. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

17

Tennessee State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $45,060. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.

18

University Of New Orleans placed #18 among the best values for general civil engineering. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Students from in state pay about $9,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $21,750. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $65,119 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

19

Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $48,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $27,500. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $58,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

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21

University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned the #21 position for value in general civil engineering this year. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $69,177. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.

22

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #22 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $70,540. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

23
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,219 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $76,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.

24

Tennessee Technological University earned the #24 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $20,870 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $63,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

25

University Of Memphis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $64,780. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for general civil engineering this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
34
35
36
37
38
39
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
40
41
42
43
44
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 64 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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