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.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value civil engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for civil engineering in Utah. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Utah State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $17,225 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $71,891. That is a strong return on a $17,225 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $24,426. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $72,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,426 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $9,370. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $71,573. That is a strong return on a $9,370 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.