2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools in the United States. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,874 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $87,462. Set against $14,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

2

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at University Of California Davis, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,101 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $86,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

3

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,424. Civil Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $85,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,424 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

4

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #4 place for civil engineering. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,781 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $65,269 early in their careers. Set against $19,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

5

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

6

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #6 position 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. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,500. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

7

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #7 for value in civil engineering this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $79,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

8

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame came in at #8 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,100. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $74,499. That is a strong return on a $20,100 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #9 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $56,926. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

10

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #10 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,529. Civil Engineering graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.

11

Western New England University
Springfield, MA

Western New England University earned the #11 position for value in civil engineering this year. Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $47,820. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Western New England University earn a median of $67,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western New England University admits about 84% of applicants.

12

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $8,125 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $91,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.

13

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University earned the #13 position for value in civil engineering this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $83,591. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

14

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA

Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #14 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Civil Engineering graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $76,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.