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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Structural Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

9 Colleges in the United States
$22,576 Avg Student Debt
$74,354 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Structural Engineering Master's Degree Badge [Structural Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/structural-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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for structural engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Structural Engineering Schools in the United States

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

Best Value Structural Engineering Schools

1

California State University Northridge tops our 2026 list of the best value structural engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,732 to complete the structural engineering program here. Structural Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $86,091 early in their careers. Set against $18,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

2

Students looking for strong value in structural engineering will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #2. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,400 to complete the structural engineering program here. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $89,543. Set against $16,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for structural engineering. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the structural engineering program here. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $93,343 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

4

A rank of #4 makes California State Polytechnic University Pomona one of the best values for structural engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. 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. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in structural engineering will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #5. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,866 to complete the structural engineering program here. Structural Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $83,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,866 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

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University Of California Los Angeles came in at #6 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. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,444 to complete the structural engineering program here. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $81,415 early in their careers. Set against $19,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

7

Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #7 among the best values for structural engineering. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Structural Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value structural engineering schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $18,750. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $79,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

9

Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #9 for value in structural engineering this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Structural Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $82,648 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #10 position for value in structural engineering this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $24,424 to complete the structural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Set against $24,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

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San Diego State University placed #11 among the best values for structural engineering. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,832 to complete the structural engineering program here. Structural Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Set against $19,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

12

New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #12 for value in structural engineering this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $24,085. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $71,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.

13

Michigan Technological University earned the #13 position for value in structural engineering this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $78,815. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

14

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #14 among the best values for structural engineering. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the structural engineering program here. Structural Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $88,923 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.

15

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for structural engineering. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $68,031. That is a strong return on a $23,545 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.

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16

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,503 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $68,405. That is a strong return on a $24,503 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

17

University Of Maine placed #17 among the best values for structural engineering. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the structural engineering program here. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

18

Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #18 position for value in structural engineering this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the structural engineering program here. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $79,898. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

19

University At Buffalo came in at #19 for value in structural engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $22,913. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $67,809. That is a strong return on a $22,913 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

20
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #20 spot for structural engineering value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $23,375. Structural Engineering graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

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21

University Of Southern California placed #21 among the best values for structural engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $91,025. That is a strong return on a $8,125 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

22
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University landed the #22 spot for structural engineering value this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $73,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 26%.

23
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #23 spot for structural engineering value this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $21,905. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $91,660. That is a strong return on a $21,905 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

24

Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #24 spot for structural engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $63,462. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the structural engineering program here. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $87,055. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

25
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University placed #25 among the best values for structural engineering. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the structural engineering program here. Structural Engineering graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $89,030 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.

Other Structural Engineering Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Structural Engineering rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Structural Engineering
Associate's Degrees in Structural Engineering
Bachelor's Degrees in Structural Engineering
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View All Structural Engineering Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 32 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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