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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Civil Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

53 Colleges in the United States
4,381 Civil Engineering Degrees Awarded
$65,018 Avg Early-Career Salary

Civil Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 68 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 Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall civil engineering education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Civil Engineering

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in civil engineering. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 31 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $77,997 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. Get the full civil engineering details for Vanderbilt University

2
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. About 32 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Civil Engineering graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296. Get the full civil engineering details for Duke University

3

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 217 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $78,045. Students borrow a median of $22,957 to complete this degree. See the full civil engineering program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

4

Students looking for a strong civil engineering program will find one at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 76 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $74,772 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,903. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

5

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 200 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $79,635 in their early career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the civil engineering program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

6
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #6 position for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 168 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $74,329 early in their careers. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $20,121 in student loans. Get the full civil engineering details for University Of Florida

7

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #7 for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 340 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $75,151 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,760 to complete this degree. Get the full civil engineering details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

8

University Of Georgia came in at #8 for civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 69 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $73,327. Typical student debt for the program is $26,744. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Georgia

9

George Mason University earned the #9 position for civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 109 civil engineering degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from George Mason University earn around $79,608 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,812 in student loans. See the full civil engineering program report for George Mason University

10
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #10 spot for civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. About 82% of students finish within six years. Auburn University awarded about 154 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $68,291 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in civil engineering from Auburn University

11

University Of Central Florida placed #11 among the best civil engineering schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 191 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $81,332. Typical student debt for the program is $21,374. Get the full civil engineering details for University Of Central Florida

12

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates 66% of students within six years. About 105 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $67,552 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,486. See the full civil engineering program report for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

13
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University landed the #13 spot for civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 192 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $69,386. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750. More information about a degree in civil engineering from Clemson University

14
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University landed the #14 spot for civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mississippi State University awarded about 123 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their civil engineering degree from Mississippi State University earn around $76,748 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,219. Read more about the civil engineering program at Mississippi State University

15
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #15 among the best civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Florida State University awarded about 148 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the civil engineering program make about $67,050 in their early career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $23,199 in student loans. See the full civil engineering program report for Florida State University

16

Florida International University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 168 civil engineering degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $66,215. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree. See the full civil engineering program report for Florida International University

17

The University Of Alabama earned the #17 position for civil engineering this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The University Of Alabama awarded about 126 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $70,619. Typical student debt for the program is $25,454. See the full civil engineering program report for The University Of Alabama

18

The University Of Tennessee ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 142 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $67,818. Students borrow a median of $21,450 to complete this degree. Read more about the civil engineering program at The University Of Tennessee

19

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #19 among the best civil engineering schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 111 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $76,195. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of South Florida Main Campus

20

University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #20 position for civil engineering this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 98 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $69,424 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full civil engineering details for University Of South Carolina Columbia

21

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #21 spot for civil engineering this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 130 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $70,540. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. Get the full civil engineering details for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

22

University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #22 position for civil engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Huntsville. About 64% of students finish within six years. University Of Alabama At Huntsville awarded about 36 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $64,122 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,799 to complete this degree. Read more about the civil engineering program at University Of Alabama At Huntsville

23

West Virginia University landed the #23 spot for civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. West Virginia University awarded about 78 civil engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $67,062 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete this degree. Get the full civil engineering details for West Virginia University

24

University Of Kentucky landed the #24 spot for civil engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lexington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 89 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $68,175 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in civil engineering from University Of Kentucky

25

Florida Atlantic University earned the #25 position for civil engineering this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 73 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Civil Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $73,885 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,866. Get the full civil engineering details for Florida Atlantic University

Rest of the Top 50 Civil Engineering Schools

These schools also placed among the best for civil engineering this year:

26
27
28
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
49
50
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 68 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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