2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in Texas

1

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

For return on investment in general civil engineering, no school beat El Paso Community College this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $8,542. General Civil Engineering graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.

2

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $54,182. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

3

Rice University
Houston, TX

A rank of #3 makes Rice University one of the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $11,904. General Civil Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

4

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 #4. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $16,293. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $60,287. Set against $16,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

5

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $66,429. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.

6

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.

7

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #7 among the best values for general civil engineering. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,986 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

8

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $74,822. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

9

The University Of Texas At Tyler
Tyler, TX

The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,670 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $67,671. That is a strong return on a $22,670 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

10

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #10 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $20,542. General Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $73,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

11

Prairie View A And M University
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A And M University ranked #11 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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $29,824. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $63,372. That is a strong return on a $29,824 median debt. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.

12

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $21,030. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $79,334. That is a strong return on a $21,030 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

13

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos placed #13 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,659. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $47,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

14

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $74,655. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

15

Texas Southern University
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University earned the #15 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $41,890. Set against $35,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Southern University admits about 97% of applicants.

16

Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University placed #16 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.

17

West Texas A And M University
Canyon, TX

West Texas A And M University landed the #17 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

18

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #18 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $76,016. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

19

Letourneau University
Longview, TX

Letourneau University earned the #19 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Longview, Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,160. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $32,086 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Letourneau University earn a median of $53,569 early in their careers. Set against $32,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

20

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University placed #20 among the best values for general civil engineering. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $70,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.