2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,548 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $72,606. Set against $13,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #2 place for civil engineering. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,121. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $72,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,767 in student loans. 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

Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,194. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,267 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $71,093 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,267 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $18,732. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $62,768. That is a strong return on a $18,732 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

8

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #8 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $19,124 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $71,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

9

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #9 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $10,888. Civil Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

10

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #10 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $66,215. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

11

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #11 spot for civil engineering value this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $75,758. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #12 spot for civil engineering value this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,400 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $65,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

13

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,374 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $69,321. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #14 among the best values for civil engineering. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,700 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,835. That is a strong return on a $19,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

15

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

16

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #16 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,000. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $70,047. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

17

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. 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. Civil Engineering graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

18

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $13,382 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,382 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

19

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University landed the #19 spot for civil engineering value this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

20

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,199 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $67,050. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

21

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #21 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. 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. Civil Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $64,671 early in their careers. Set against $23,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #22 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $14,874. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,357. That is a strong return on a $14,874 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

23

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #23 among the best values for civil engineering. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #24 position for value in civil engineering this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $22,763. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $69,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

25

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $22,957 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $75,688. Set against $22,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.