2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 best value for civil engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,874 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $80,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

2

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Davis earned it the #2 place for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,101 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $81,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

3

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,424 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $83,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,424 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.

4

Holmes Community College
Goodman, MS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Holmes Community College earned it the #4 place for civil engineering. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.

5

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arizona earned it the #5 place for civil engineering. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

6

University Of South Alabama
Mobile, AL

University Of South Alabama landed the #6 spot for civil engineering value this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $51,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

7

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware earned the #7 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $25,500. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

8

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #8 position for value in civil engineering this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,781. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $65,269. Set against $19,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #9 for value in civil engineering this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

10

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #10 spot for civil engineering value this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $75,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.

11

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,100. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $74,499. Set against $20,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

12

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #12 among the best values for civil engineering. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $56,926. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

13

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #13 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.

14

Western New England University
Springfield, MA

Western New England University placed #14 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,820 in tuition and fees. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,726. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #15 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $8,125. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $88,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.

16

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University earned the #16 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $79,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

17

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach placed #17 among the best values for civil engineering. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,074. Students borrow a median of $22,845 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $70,246. Set against $22,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach admits about 65% of applicants.

18

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA

Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #18 position for value in civil engineering this year. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,765. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $76,419. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.