2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Alabama A And M University, our #1 best value for civil engineering in Alabama. Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,896 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of South Alabama one of the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $59,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,596 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $62,283 early in their careers. Set against $26,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned it the #4 place for civil engineering. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,132 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,799 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $64,122. Set against $20,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama is a great value for students pursuing a degree in civil engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,454 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $70,619. That is a strong return on a $25,454 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Auburn University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $23,375. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $68,291. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.