by our College Data Analytics Team
[Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil engineering students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the civil engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in civil engineering, no school beat El Paso Community College this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #3 place for civil engineering. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $54,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at Rice University, which ranked #4. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #5 place for civil engineering. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $60,287. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #6 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $66,429. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #8 for value in civil engineering this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $72,209. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Houston ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $18,000. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $74,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,986 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $69,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,986 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #11 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,670 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $67,671 early in their careers. Set against $22,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $73,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #13 spot for civil engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $69,655 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University earned the #14 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $66,589 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $29,824. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $63,372. Set against $29,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for civil engineering. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $71,176 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #17 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,807 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $67,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,030 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $79,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $62,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas Tech University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $74,655. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas Southern University earned the #22 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $41,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,330 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Tarleton State University earned the #23 position for value in civil engineering this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $50,532. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
West Texas A And M University earned the #24 position for value in civil engineering this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. In-state tuition and fees average $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $22,333. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $43,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #25 position for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $76,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for civil engineering this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.