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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

53 Colleges in the United States
$24,286 Avg Student Debt
$58,689 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Badge [Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 68 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value civil engineering schools.

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2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Civil Engineering Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,121. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $74,329. Set against $20,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

A rank of #2 makes Florida International University one of the best values for civil engineering. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,250. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $66,215. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

3

Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,866. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $73,885. That is a strong return on a $23,866 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at Holmes Community College, which ranked #4. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $13,191. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $32,145. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.

5

Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #5. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $76,195 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

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6

University Of Central Florida placed #6 among the best values for civil engineering. 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 $81,332. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

7

Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #7 position for value in civil engineering this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,480. Civil Engineering graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $64,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,480 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

8
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,199 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

9

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #9 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $22,957 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $78,045. That is a strong return on a $22,957 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of North Florida came in at #10 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,622 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $65,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,622 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

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11
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University landed the #11 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

12

University Of Georgia ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,744. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

13

West Virginia University earned the #13 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $67,062. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

14

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $20,747 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $65,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

15
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University came in at #15 for value in civil engineering this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $60,086. Set against $22,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

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16

Louisiana Tech University came in at #16 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $61,868 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

17

North Carolina A And T State University placed #17 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $31,000. Civil Engineering graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $70,474 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

18

Tennessee State University placed #18 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $29,489. Civil Engineering graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.

19

University Of New Orleans ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $65,119. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.

20

Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in civil engineering this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,399. Civil Engineering graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $48,847 early in their careers. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

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21

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #21 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $58,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned the #22 position for value in civil engineering this year. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,500. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $69,177. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,500. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $70,540 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

24
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University came in at #24 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,219 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $76,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.

25

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #25 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $79,635. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in civil engineering:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
35
36
37
38
39
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
40
41
42
43
44
45
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 68 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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