Civil Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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 19 schools to find the best for civil engineering students.
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Choosing a Great Civil Engineering School
Where you study civil engineering matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Civil Engineering Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Civil Engineering School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Civil Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Civil Engineering in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best civil engineering schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 19 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $80,410 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,874 to complete this degree.
Get the full civil engineering details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in civil engineering, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. About 25 civil engineering degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Civil Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $83,280 early in their careers. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $20,424 in student loans.
Get the full civil engineering details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of California Davis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 17 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $81,037 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $16,101 in student loans.
More information about a degree in civil engineering from University Of California Davis
University Of Notre Dame came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. About 18 civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $74,499 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,100.
Get the full civil engineering details for University Of Notre Dame
Students looking for a strong civil engineering program will find one at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, which ranked #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Daytona Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach awarded about 18 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach generally make around $70,246. Students borrow a median of $22,845 to complete this degree.
See the full civil engineering program report for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
Holmes Community College earned the #6 position for civil engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 24 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Holmes Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from Holmes Community College earn around $32,145 in the first couple years of their career. Holmes Community College graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans.
More information about a degree in civil engineering from Holmes Community College
Western New England University came in at #7 for civil engineering this year. Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 26 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Western New England University in the most recent year. Civil Engineering graduates of Western New England University earn a median of $67,726 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full civil engineering program report for Western New England University
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
