2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Civil Engineering Schools
Missouri University Of Science And Technology tops our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $76,656. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for civil engineering. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,424 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $70,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,424 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes William Jewell College one of the best values for civil engineering. William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Liberty. Students from in state pay about $20,610 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $25,950. Civil Engineering graduates of William Jewell College earn a median of $48,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $25,500. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $72,729. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $22,103. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $65,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,103 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $74,472 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #7 for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $70,542 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Iowa State University came in at #8 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $76,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Kansas State University placed #9 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $69,300 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
South Dakota State University came in at #10 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $69,129. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #11 spot for civil engineering value this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,044 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $65,175. That is a strong return on a $26,044 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #12 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $25,234. Civil Engineering graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $69,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota placed #13 among the best values for civil engineering. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,600. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $73,260. That is a strong return on a $26,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #14 position for value in civil engineering this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $26,828. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $69,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #15 for value in civil engineering this year. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,388 in student loans. Civil Engineering graduates of South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earn a median of $71,766 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the civil engineering program here. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $70,313. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Dordt College came in at #17 for value in civil engineering this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,050. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $21,812. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. Early-career civil engineering graduates make about $65,599. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #19 among the best values for civil engineering. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the civil engineering program here. Civil Engineering graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
Narrow Civil Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
