2026 Best Value Structural Engineering Schools

1

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Northridge the best value for a degree in structural engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $18,732. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,430. Set against $18,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in structural engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $16,500. Structural Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value structural engineering schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $16,400. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $77,511. That is a strong return on a $16,400 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in structural engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,374 in student loans. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $81,332 early in their careers. Set against $21,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

5

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #5 place for structural engineering. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,866 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $73,885. That is a strong return on a $23,866 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

6

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #6 position for value in structural engineering this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $19,444. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $78,463. That is a strong return on a $19,444 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

7

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #7 among the best values for structural engineering. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the structural engineering program here. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $44,510. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #8 position for value in structural engineering this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the structural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $73,722. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

9

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #9 position for value in structural engineering this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $76,656. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

10

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #10 spot for structural engineering value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $24,424. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $60,324. That is a strong return on a $24,424 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

11

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value structural engineering schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $19,832 to complete the structural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Set against $19,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

12

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University landed the #12 spot for structural engineering value this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $74,872. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

13

New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Newark, NJ

New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #13 among the best values for structural engineering. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,085 to complete the structural engineering program here. Structural Engineering graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. Set against $24,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

14

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #14 spot for structural engineering value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the structural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $79,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of South Alabama
Mobile, AL

University Of South Alabama earned the #15 position for value in structural engineering this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the structural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $51,592. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

16

University Of Louisville
Louisville, KY

University Of Louisville earned the #16 position for value in structural engineering this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,503 in student loans. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $67,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,503 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.

17

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value structural engineering schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $23,545 to complete the structural engineering program here. Structural Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $68,031 early in their careers. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

18

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

University Of Maine placed #18 among the best values for structural engineering. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.

19

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University placed #19 among the best values for structural engineering. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $29,156. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $69,706. Set against $29,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

20

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best values for structural engineering. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the structural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $75,829. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

21

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo placed #21 among the best values for structural engineering. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,913 in student loans. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $66,207. That is a strong return on a $22,913 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

22

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg
Middletown, PA

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #22 spot for structural engineering value this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

23

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University earned the #23 position for value in structural engineering this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $55,422. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value structural engineering schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $88,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

25

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University landed the #25 spot for structural engineering value this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $73,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.