2026 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Leading the list is Missouri University Of Science And Technology, our #1 best value for general civil engineering in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $76,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,424 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $70,686. Set against $24,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

3

William Jewell College
Liberty, MO

William Jewell College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Liberty, William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,610 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $25,950. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from William Jewell College generally make around $48,588. That is a strong return on a $25,950 median debt. William Jewell College admits about 38% of applicants.

4

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

A rank of #4 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $72,729. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

5

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #5 place for general civil engineering. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,103 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $65,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

6

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #6 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $74,472. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #7 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $25,500. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $70,542. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

8

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University landed the #8 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $76,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

9

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University landed the #9 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $69,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

10

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $69,129. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.

11

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #11 among the best values for general civil engineering. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,044 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $65,175. Set against $26,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

12

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #12 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $69,861 early in their careers. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.

13

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota came in at #13 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,600 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $73,260. That is a strong return on a $26,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

14

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #14 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,828 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $69,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

15

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
Rapid City, SD

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,500, with out-of-state students paying around $14,900. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $27,388. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $71,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology admits about 80% of applicants.

16

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #16 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $70,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

17

Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College landed the #17 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,050. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $54,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.

18

Saint Louis University Main Campus
Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $26,586. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $65,599. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

19

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #19 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,923. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.