2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general civil engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 133 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among general civil engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $10,888. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $20,121 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $75,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,548 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $87,800. Set against $13,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,732 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $86,091 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,732 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $93,343. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #6 spot for general civil engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $75,758. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,124 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $87,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $19,444. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $81,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach placed #9 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $73,342. Set against $16,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #10 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $14,392. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $78,142 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for general civil engineering. 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. General Civil Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $80,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Stanford University placed #12 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $10,492. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $83,740. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #13 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $18,750. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $79,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #14 for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. 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 $83,099 early in their careers. Set against $23,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Florida International University earned the #15 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $66,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #16 spot for general civil engineering value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,874 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $87,462 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,874 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #17 for value in general civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $23,199. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $67,050. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $82,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #19 among the best values for general civil engineering. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. 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 University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
San Jose State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #21 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $24,382. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $80,376 early in their careers. Set against $24,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #22 position for value in general civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $69,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,382 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,382 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University placed #24 among the best values for general civil engineering. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $18,873. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $68,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine landed the #25 spot for general civil engineering value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $19,700 to complete the general civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $73,835. That is a strong return on a $19,700 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general civil engineering:
Other General Civil Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general civil engineering schools at other degree levels:
View All General Civil Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 133 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 133 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.
