2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in civil engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $20,121 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $75,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. 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 $87,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $18,767. 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

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $15,267. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $71,093 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for civil engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,732 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $86,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

6

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University placed #6 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

7

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #7 spot for civil engineering value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. 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. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% 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. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $89,543. Set against $16,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #9 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $73,342. That is a strong return on a $16,437 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

10

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #10 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $93,343. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

11

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,866 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $83,099. That is a strong return on a $23,866 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

12

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #12 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $16,500. 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. The acceptance rate is 75%.

13

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #13 spot for civil engineering value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $87,247. That is a strong return on a $19,124 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #14 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,700. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $73,835 early in their careers. Set against $19,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

15

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #15 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $66,215. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

16

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #16 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $87,462. That is a strong return on a $14,874 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.

17

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $82,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

18

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #18 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

19

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #19 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,199 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,050. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

20

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #20 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $22,763. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $69,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,763 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

21

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #21 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $13,382. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $60,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

22

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #22 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,444 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $81,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

23

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,957 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $80,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

24

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #24 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $80,376. That is a strong return on a $24,382 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

25

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #25 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $14,392. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $78,142. Set against $14,392 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.