2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in California

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in civil engineering in California. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for civil engineering. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $15,267. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $71,093. That is a strong return on a $15,267 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

4

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #4 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. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $16,437. 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. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #5. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $18,732. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $74,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #6 spot for civil engineering value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,124 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $79,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,758 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #8 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,400 to complete the civil engineering program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 27%.

9

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #9 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $83,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

10

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #10 among the best values for civil engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,700 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,835. Set against $19,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

11

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #11 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

12

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #12 position for value in civil engineering this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,873 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $68,256. That is a strong return on a $18,873 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

13

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #13 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,444 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $78,463 early in their careers. Set against $19,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #14 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, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,392 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $78,142. That is a strong return on a $14,392 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

15

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico came in at #15 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Students borrow a median of $21,583 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $72,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

16

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #16 position for value in civil engineering 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, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $16,101. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $81,037. That is a strong return on a $16,101 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

17

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #17 position for value in civil engineering this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. 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 $83,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.

18

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #18 position for value in civil engineering this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,832 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $79,972. Set against $19,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.

19

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

University Of The Pacific came in at #19 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

20

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University placed #20 among the best values for civil engineering. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,497. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California placed #21 among the best values for civil engineering. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $88,144. That is a strong return on a $8,125 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

22

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University landed the #22 spot for civil engineering value this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $87,790. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

23

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University placed #23 among the best values for civil engineering. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,293. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,144. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $84,883. Set against $20,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants.