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2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

12 Colleges in the United States
$26,005 Avg Student Debt
$78,468 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Badge [Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

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

1

For return on investment in civil engineering, no school beat Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $66,943 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes York College Pennsylvania one of the best values for civil engineering. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,537. Civil Engineering graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $53,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,537 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earned it the #4 place for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.

5
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,665. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $68,389. That is a strong return on a $26,665 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

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6

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #6 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $72,411 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

7

Carnegie Mellon University placed #7 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.

8

Widener University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,730 in tuition and fees. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $69,289. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Widener University Main Campus admits about 71% of applicants.

9
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $70,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

10

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

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11
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University landed the #11 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $73,545. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 26%.

12
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University came in at #12 for value in civil engineering this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $74,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.

13
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. In-state tuition and fees average $67,812. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Civil Engineering graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $80,231 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

14
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University placed #14 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $80,278 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.

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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 · 25 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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