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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

39 Colleges in the United States
2,731 Civil Engineering Degrees Awarded
$69,803 Avg Early-Career Salary

Civil Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 47 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best civil engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Civil Engineering in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Civil Engineering

1

Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best civil engineering schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Northwestern University awarded about 79 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the civil engineering program at Northwestern University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for civil engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 327 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $76,248 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,054. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

University Of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in civil engineering, ranking #3. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 78 civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $74,499 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $20,100 in student loans. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Notre Dame

4
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 314 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $76,547 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the civil engineering program at Purdue University Main Campus

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in civil engineering, ranking #5. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 126 civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $78,253 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full civil engineering program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #6 among the best civil engineering schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 110 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $73,722. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750. More information about a degree in civil engineering from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

7

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 162 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $68,031 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. See the full civil engineering program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #8 position for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 112 civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $71,377 early in their careers. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in civil engineering from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

9
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #9 for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 117 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $72,048 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in civil engineering from Michigan State University

10

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology landed the #10 spot for civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology graduates 78% of students within six years. About 31 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $73,821 in their early career. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $24,132 in student loans. Get the full civil engineering details for Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology

11

Case Western Reserve University placed #11 among the best civil engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cleveland. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 27 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $74,266 in their early career. Case Western Reserve University graduates carry a median of $25,190 in student loans. Read more about the civil engineering program at Case Western Reserve University

12

University Of Dayton landed the #12 spot for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. University Of Dayton awarded about 81 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $71,411. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Get the full civil engineering details for University Of Dayton

13

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #13 position for civil engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 132 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $74,843 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,382. Get the full civil engineering details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

14

Michigan Technological University came in at #14 for civil engineering this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 112 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Michigan Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $74,872. Michigan Technological University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University

15
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 48 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $68,386. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the civil engineering program at Marquette University

16

University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 75 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $69,582. Typical student debt for the program is $23,522. More information about a degree in civil engineering from University Of Wisconsin Platteville

17

Milwaukee School Of Engineering ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Milwaukee School Of Engineering in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Milwaukee School Of Engineering generally make around $72,940. Milwaukee School Of Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,667 in student loans. See the full civil engineering program report for Milwaukee School Of Engineering

18

Lawrence Technological University earned the #18 position for civil engineering this year. Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Southfield. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 25 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $77,836. Lawrence Technological University graduates carry a median of $30,197 in student loans. Get the full civil engineering details for Lawrence Technological University

19

University Of Toledo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. University Of Toledo awarded about 47 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $70,388. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full civil engineering program report for University Of Toledo

20

Bradley University earned the #20 position for civil engineering this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. About 76% of students finish within six years. Bradley University awarded about 46 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $72,573 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in civil engineering from Bradley University

21

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #21 position for civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 72 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $67,260 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $22,275 in student loans. Get the full civil engineering details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

22

University Of Southern Indiana earned the #22 position for civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 civil engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,999. See the full civil engineering program report for University Of Southern Indiana

23

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #23 position for civil engineering this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $75,065 in their early career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in civil engineering from Ohio University Main Campus

24

Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $75,829. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in civil engineering from Illinois Institute Of Technology

25

University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. University Of Akron Main Campus awarded about 44 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $66,820 early in their careers. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,701 in student loans. See the full civil engineering program report for University Of Akron Main Campus

Rest of the Top 37 Civil Engineering Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s civil engineering ranking:

26
27
28
29
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
30
Valparaiso University crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN
31
32
33
34
Trine University crest
Trine University
Angola, IN
35
36
37

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 47 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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