2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in Iowa
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Schools in Iowa
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
Our analysis ranked Iowa State University the best value for a degree in civil engineering in Iowa. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Iowa came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for civil engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $70,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #3 makes Dordt College one of the best values for civil engineering. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,050 in tuition and fees. Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, civil engineering degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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 2 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.
