2027 Best Value Structural Engineering Schools
[Structural Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/structural-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.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value structural engineering schools.
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Finding the Best Value Structural Engineering School for You
Where you study structural engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Structural Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Structural Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Structural Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the structural engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Structural Engineering Schools
For return on investment in structural engineering, no school beat California State University Northridge this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $18,732. Structural Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $74,430 early in their careers. Set against $18,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in structural engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $49,427. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #3 place for structural engineering. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete the structural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $81,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of California San Diego came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value structural engineering schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $16,400. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $77,511 early in their careers. Set against $16,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in structural engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $19,444. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $78,463. Set against $19,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University placed #6 among the best values for structural engineering. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,866 in student loans. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $73,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value structural engineering schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $18,750. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $73,722 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #8 among the best values for structural engineering. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $24,625. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $66,429. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value structural engineering schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,832 in student loans. Structural Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Set against $19,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value structural engineering schools. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the structural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $74,872. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value structural engineering schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $24,424 to complete the structural engineering program here. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $60,324. Set against $24,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #12 spot for structural engineering value this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Students borrow a median of $24,085 to complete the structural engineering program here. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $78,994. That is a strong return on a $24,085 median debt. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #13 among the best values for structural engineering. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $79,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #14 position for value in structural engineering this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $76,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University placed #15 among the best values for structural engineering. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,156 in student loans. Structural Engineering graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $69,706 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,156 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value structural engineering schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. Structural Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $68,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,545 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine placed #17 among the best values for structural engineering. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $27,000. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Louisville came in at #18 for value in structural engineering this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $24,503. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $67,235. That is a strong return on a $24,503 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #19 spot for structural engineering value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $75,829. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of South Alabama ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value structural engineering schools. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $28,000. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $51,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo earned the #21 position for value in structural engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $22,913. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $66,207. That is a strong return on a $22,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina placed #22 among the best values for structural engineering. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Structural Engineering graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of $61,163 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University came in at #23 for value in structural engineering this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $55,422. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Southern California landed the #24 spot for structural engineering value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $8,125 to complete the structural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $88,144. Set against $8,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #25 among the best values for structural engineering. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,838 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $67,966. Set against $26,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Structural Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in structural engineering:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
