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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Civil Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

39 Colleges in the United States
2,660 General Civil Engineering Degrees Awarded
$69,803 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Civil Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools to find the best for general civil engineering students.

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Best Schools for General Civil Engineering in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general civil engineering education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in General Civil Engineering

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general civil engineering. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 79 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. General Civil Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Get the full general civil engineering details for Northwestern University

2

Students looking for a strong general civil engineering program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 327 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general civil engineering degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $76,248 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,054. More information about a degree in general civil engineering from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

University Of Notre Dame came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general civil engineering schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 60 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $74,499 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,100. See the full general civil engineering program report for University Of Notre Dame

4
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for a strong general civil engineering program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 314 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $76,547 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general civil engineering program at Purdue University Main Campus

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for general civil engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 126 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $78,253. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general civil engineering from University Of Wisconsin Madison

6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #6 position for general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 100 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $73,722 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general civil engineering from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

7

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 155 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $68,031 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. Read more about the general civil engineering program at Ohio State University Main Campus

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #8 among the best general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 112 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general civil engineering degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $71,377 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. Get the full general civil engineering details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

9
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #9 for general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 117 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $72,048 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general civil engineering from Michigan State University

10

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for general civil engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Terre Haute. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 31 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $73,821 in their early career. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $24,132 in student loans. More information about a degree in general civil engineering from Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology

11

Case Western Reserve University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 27 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general civil engineering degree from Case Western Reserve University earn around $74,266 in the first couple years of their career. Case Western Reserve University graduates carry a median of $25,190 in student loans. Read more about the general civil engineering program at Case Western Reserve University

12

University Of Dayton ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general civil engineering schools. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 81 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $71,411 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. More information about a degree in general civil engineering from University Of Dayton

13

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #13 among the best general civil engineering schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 132 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $74,843. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $24,382 in student loans. Read more about the general civil engineering program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

14

Michigan Technological University landed the #14 spot for general civil engineering this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 94 general civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Michigan Technological University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general civil engineering degree from Michigan Technological University earn around $74,872 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full general civil engineering details for Michigan Technological University

15
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University earned the #15 position for general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Marquette University awarded about 48 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $68,386 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full general civil engineering program report for Marquette University

16

University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #16 spot for general civil engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Platteville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 75 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent year. Students who receive their general civil engineering degree from University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn around $69,582 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates carry a median of $23,522 in student loans. More information about a degree in general civil engineering from University Of Wisconsin Platteville

17

Milwaukee School Of Engineering placed #17 among the best general civil engineering schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at Milwaukee School Of Engineering in the most recent year. General Civil Engineering graduates of Milwaukee School Of Engineering earn a median of $72,940 early in their careers. Milwaukee School Of Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,667 in student loans. Get the full general civil engineering details for Milwaukee School Of Engineering

18

Lawrence Technological University came in at #18 for general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lawrence Technological University awarded about 25 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $77,836. Students borrow a median of $30,197 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general civil engineering from Lawrence Technological University

19

University Of Toledo earned the #19 position for general civil engineering this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Toledo awarded about 47 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $70,388. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general civil engineering from University Of Toledo

20

Bradley University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general civil engineering schools. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. About 76% of students finish within six years. Bradley University awarded about 46 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $72,573. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general civil engineering program at Bradley University

21

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #21 among the best general civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 72 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Students who receive their general civil engineering degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $67,260 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,275 to complete this degree. Read more about the general civil engineering program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

22

University Of Southern Indiana came in at #22 for general civil engineering this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Evansville. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern Indiana awarded about 17 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general civil engineering program make about $47,216 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general civil engineering from University Of Southern Indiana

23

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general civil engineering schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 69 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $75,065. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the general civil engineering program at Ohio University Main Campus

24

Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #24 among the best general civil engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 32 general civil engineering degrees were awarded at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. General Civil Engineering graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $75,829 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general civil engineering from Illinois Institute Of Technology

25

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #25 position for general civil engineering this year. This large public university is located in the city of Akron. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates 52% of students within six years. University Of Akron Main Campus awarded about 44 general civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $66,820 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,701. Get the full general civil engineering details for University Of Akron Main Campus

Rest of the Top 37 General Civil Engineering Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general civil engineering education:

26
27
28
29
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
30
Valparaiso University crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN
31
32
33
34
Trine University crest
Trine University
Angola, IN
35
36
37

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 46 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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