2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among civil engineering schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $67,194 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,437. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $76,731. That is a strong return on a $21,437 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the best values for civil engineering. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $24,085. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $78,994. Set against $24,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art landed the #7 spot for civil engineering value this year. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,820. Students borrow a median of $16,805 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earn a median of $16,678 early in their careers. Set against $16,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
University Of Delaware earned the #8 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $25,500. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $70,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earned the #9 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,625, while out-of-state students pay about $21,215. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $19,146. Civil Engineering graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $63,637 early in their careers. Set against $19,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
Stony Brook University came in at #10 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $17,250. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $71,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #11 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $88,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,294 early in their careers. Set against $26,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Morgan State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $70,667. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $53,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #15 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $22,913. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $66,207. That is a strong return on a $22,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #16 for value in civil engineering this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $66,943. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rowan University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $67,362. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earned the #18 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,291. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $75,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Manhattan College came in at #20 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,400. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $83,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The College Of New Jersey placed #21 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $71,649. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #22 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #23 spot for civil engineering value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $72,411 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Temple University landed the #24 spot for civil engineering value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,665 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $68,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University placed #25 among the best values for civil engineering. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $12,750. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $80,811. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in civil engineering:
Narrow Civil Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong civil engineering education at a price that pays off.
