Finding the Best Value Civil Engineering School for You
Where you study civil engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Civil Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
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2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in civil engineering in the United States. 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 civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $80,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,548 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,121 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $74,329. That is a strong return on a $20,121 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for civil engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $18,767. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,178. Set against $18,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for civil engineering. 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, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. 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. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #5. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $15,267. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $71,093. That is a strong return on a $15,267 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Long Beach landed the #6 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. 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 civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $73,342 early in their careers. Set against $16,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Northridge landed the #7 spot for civil engineering value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,732 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,430. That is a strong return on a $18,732 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University came in at #8 for value in civil engineering this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $83,740 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University Sacramento landed the #9 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,124 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $79,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,124 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #10 position for value in civil engineering this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Princeton University placed #11 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego came in at #12 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,400 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $77,511 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #13 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $16,500. Early-career 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.
Florida International University earned the #14 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $66,215. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #15 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $81,332. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Holmes Community College placed #16 among the best values for civil engineering. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $32,145. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University earned the #17 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
University Of California Irvine landed the #18 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $19,700 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $73,835 early in their careers. Set against $19,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #19 among the best values for civil engineering. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #20 position 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. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,000. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $76,195 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
El Paso Community College earned the #21 position for value in civil engineering this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #22 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,866 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,885. That is a strong return on a $23,866 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #23 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in civil engineering this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $60,212. Set against $13,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Florida State University came in at #25 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,199 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $67,050. That is a strong return on a $23,199 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s civil engineering value ranking:
Narrow Civil Engineering Schools by Region
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 334 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 248 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.
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong civil engineering education at a price that pays off.
