2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region

1

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

Leading the list is El Paso Community College, our #1 best value for general civil engineering in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for general civil engineering. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $13,382. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $60,212. Set against $13,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

3

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $11,000. General Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $54,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

4

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

5

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at The University Of Texas At El Paso, which ranked #5. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $16,293. General Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $60,287 early in their careers. Set against $16,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

6

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #6 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $24,625. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $66,429. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.

7

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University placed #7 among the best values for general civil engineering. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University landed the #8 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $72,209 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

9

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #9 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $74,822. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

10

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #10 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,986 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $69,724 early in their careers. Set against $27,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

11

The University Of Texas At Tyler
Tyler, TX

The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #11 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $22,670. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $67,671. Set against $22,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.

12

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #12 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $73,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #13 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $69,655. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $66,589. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

15

Prairie View A And M University
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A And M University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $63,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.

16

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $71,176. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

17

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $47,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.

18

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #18 among the best values for general civil engineering. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,807. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $67,302. Set against $23,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

19

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #19 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $21,030. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $79,334. Set against $21,030 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

20

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #20 spot for general civil engineering value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $62,923. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

21

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $74,655. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

22

Texas Southern University
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, while out-of-state students pay about $21,473. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $41,890. That is a strong return on a $35,330 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

23

Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University earned the #23 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,222. General Civil Engineering graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

24

West Texas A And M University
Canyon, TX

West Texas A And M University came in at #24 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

25

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station placed #25 among the best values for general civil engineering. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $76,016. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.