2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 250 schools to find the best return on investment for general civil engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in general civil engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $20,121. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $72,889. Set against $20,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $13,548. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $72,606 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $18,767 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $73,178. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $67,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
California State University Sacramento landed the #6 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,124 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $71,342. Set against $19,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $15,267. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $71,093. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge earned the #8 position for value in general civil engineering this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,732 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $62,768. That is a strong return on a $18,732 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #9 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,758 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #10 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,437 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $73,342. That is a strong return on a $16,437 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #11 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $21,250. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $66,215. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Utah Valley University landed the #12 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #13 among the best values for general civil engineering. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,444 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $75,510. Set against $19,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #14 for value in general civil engineering this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $22,957. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $75,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #15 position for value in general civil engineering this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $21,374. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $69,321. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley placed #16 among the best values for general civil engineering. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,392 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $78,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #17 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,000. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $70,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $14,874. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $73,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,874 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #19 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #20 for value in general civil engineering this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,866 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $64,671 early in their careers. Set against $23,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #21 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $54,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Murray State University placed #22 among the best values for general civil engineering. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $48,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #23 among the best values for general civil engineering. 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 general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $67,050. That is a strong return on a $23,199 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $18,750. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $67,764. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #25 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general civil engineering value ranking:
Other General Civil Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Civil Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All General Civil Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 250 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 250 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
