2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in civil engineering in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,548 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $80,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,548 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

2

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,121 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $74,329. That is a strong return on a $20,121 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for civil engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $18,767. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,178. Set against $18,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $67,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #5. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $15,267. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $71,093. That is a strong return on a $15,267 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #6 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,437 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $73,342 early in their careers. Set against $16,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

7

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge landed the #7 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,732 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,430. That is a strong return on a $18,732 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

8

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #8 for value in civil engineering this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $83,740 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

9

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #9 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,124 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $79,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,124 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

10

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #10 position for value in civil engineering this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University placed #11 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

12

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #12 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,400 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $77,511 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

13

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #13 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $16,500. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $75,758. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

14

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University earned the #14 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $66,215. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

15

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #15 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $81,332. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

16

Holmes Community College
Goodman, MS

Holmes Community College placed #16 among the best values for civil engineering. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $32,145. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University earned the #17 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

18

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #18 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $19,700 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $73,835 early in their careers. Set against $19,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

19

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho placed #19 among the best values for civil engineering. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $13,287. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,000. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $76,195 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

21

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College earned the #21 position for value in civil engineering this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University landed the #22 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,866 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,885. That is a strong return on a $23,866 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

23

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #23 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

24

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in civil engineering this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $60,212. Set against $13,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

25

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #25 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,199 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,050. That is a strong return on a $23,199 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.