[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 252 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil engineering students.
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $20,121. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $72,889. That is a strong return on a $20,121 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,548 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $72,606. 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. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $67,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #6 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, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,124 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $71,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,124 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno placed #7 among the best values for civil engineering. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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 came in at #8 for value in civil engineering this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $18,732. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $62,768. Set against $18,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #9 for value in civil engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $75,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #10 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $66,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $16,478. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #13 spot for civil engineering value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $75,510. Set against $19,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #14 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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $22,957. Civil Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $75,688 early in their careers. Set against $22,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego landed the #15 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,400 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $65,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #16 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $69,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #17 position for value in 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,392 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $78,142. That is a strong return on a $14,392 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #18 spot for civil engineering value 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, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $70,047. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #19 position for value in civil engineering this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $73,357. That is a strong return on a $14,874 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #20 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $13,287. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #21 position for value in 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,866 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $64,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $11,000. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $54,182. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Murray State University placed #23 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, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Early-career 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 earned the #24 position for value in civil engineering this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,199 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $67,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #25 position for value in civil engineering this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $67,764. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for civil engineering this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 252 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 252 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/) 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.
