2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools in the Far Western Region. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,548 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $80,203 early in their careers. Set against $13,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $18,767. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $73,178. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,267 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $71,093. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

4

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,437 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. 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, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,732 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,430. Set against $18,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

6

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #6 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $19,124 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $79,295. Set against $19,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

7

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #7 spot for civil engineering value 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. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

8

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #8 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $83,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

9

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $77,511. Set against $16,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

10

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,763 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $69,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned the #11 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $71,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #12 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,700. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $73,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #13 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $14,874. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $80,410. That is a strong return on a $14,874 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

14

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #14 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $18,873. Civil Engineering graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $68,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

15

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #15 position for value in civil engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #16 among the best values for civil engineering. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $78,463. Set against $19,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #17 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $70,330. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

18

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University landed the #18 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $67,509. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

19

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #19 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $14,392. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $78,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,392 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

20

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University earned the #20 position for value in civil engineering this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $22,450. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $74,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

21

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis landed the #21 spot for civil engineering value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. 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. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

22

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,583. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $72,350 early in their careers. Set against $21,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK

University Of Alaska Anchorage came in at #23 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,738, compared with $21,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Alaska Anchorage generally make around $72,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #24 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,424 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $83,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

25

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #25 for value in civil engineering this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,832. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $79,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.