by our College Data Analytics Team
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #1 spot for value among civil engineering schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $13,287. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #2 place for civil engineering. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $16,478. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,225 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $71,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $64,595 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #5. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,426 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $72,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
1
2
3
4
5
Brigham Young University Provo placed #6 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,370 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $71,573 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Idaho landed the #7 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $68,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana earned the #8 position for value in civil engineering this year. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public school located in the town of Butte. Students from in state pay about $8,289 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,962. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $80,327. Set against $23,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #9 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $38,460. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $72,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Boise State University landed the #10 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, compared with $27,788 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 Boise State University generally make around $65,648. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #11 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $25,480. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $76,180. That is a strong return on a $25,480 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Montana State University landed the #12 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,031 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,373. Set against $21,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #13 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,500. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $75,436 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #14 for value in civil engineering this year. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $72,238 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
