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2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in Illinois
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 University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,382 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $74,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,382 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which ranked #2. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,275 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 98%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,054. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $76,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #4 place for civil engineering. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,781. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $65,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $75,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
Bradley University came in at #6 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $72,573. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University landed the #7 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
[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.
