2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools to find the best return on investment for civil engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
For return on investment in civil engineering, no school beat Purdue University Main Campus this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,500. Civil Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $76,547 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $24,382 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $74,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,722. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern Indiana one of the best values for civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,999. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $47,216. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,054 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $76,248. Set against $19,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #6 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $22,275. Civil Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $67,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest placed #7 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $69,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #8 among the best values for civil engineering. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,522. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $69,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $24,119. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #10 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $30,548. Civil Engineering graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $76,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,548 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Youngstown State University landed the #11 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $59,149 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for civil engineering. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,701 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $66,820. That is a strong return on a $21,701 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Michigan Technological University earned the #13 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,000. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $74,872. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #14 spot for civil engineering value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $78,253. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #15 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $65,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Cleveland State University placed #16 among the best values for civil engineering. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $66,295 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #17 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $64,317. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $68,031. That is a strong return on a $23,545 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Toledo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,500. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $70,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $75,829. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Western Michigan University landed the #21 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,156 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $69,706. Set against $29,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University earned the #22 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $72,048. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $75,065. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #24 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $71,377. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University earned the #25 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $69,549. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s civil engineering value ranking:
Narrow Civil Engineering Schools by State
More Civil Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
