[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 259 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil engineering students.
Finding the Best Value Civil Engineering School for You
The right civil engineering school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Civil Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Civil Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #2 place for civil engineering. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,121 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $74,329 early in their careers. Set against $20,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,767 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $73,178 early in their careers. Set against $18,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,548 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $80,203. Set against $13,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $17,500. 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. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #6 among the best values for civil engineering. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $79,295. Set against $19,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $71,093 early in their careers. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Northridge landed the #8 spot for civil engineering value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. 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 civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $74,430 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,732 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #9 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $8,858. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $75,758. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #11 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $16,437 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, 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.
Utah Valley University placed #12 among the best values for civil engineering. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #13 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,444. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $78,463 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.
University Of California San Diego earned the #14 position for value in civil engineering this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $16,400. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $77,511 early in their careers. Set against $16,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #15 position for value in civil engineering this year. 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, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,374. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $81,332. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #16 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,250. Civil Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $66,215 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,957 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $78,045. That is a strong return on a $22,957 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #18 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,392 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $78,142. Set against $14,392 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $14,874 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #20 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $76,195 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #21 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $13,287. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Holmes Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $13,191. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College earned the #23 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,866. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $73,885. Set against $23,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Murray State University placed #25 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s civil engineering value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 259 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 259 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).
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
