2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in North Carolina
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
Leading the list is North Carolina A And T State University, our #1 best value for civil engineering in North Carolina. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $31,000. Civil Engineering graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $70,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $70,540. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $79,635 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Duke University one of the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
More Civil Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
