2027 Best Value Structural Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
[Structural Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/structural-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for structural engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Structural Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Florida Atlantic University tops our 2027 list of the best value structural engineering schools in the Southeast Region. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $23,866. Structural Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $73,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,866 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #2 place for structural engineering. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $21,374. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $81,332. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in structural engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $79,635. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Alabama earned it the #4 place for structural engineering. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $51,592. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Louisville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in structural engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. 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. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina placed #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,570, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina generally make around $61,163. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Auburn University came in at #7 for value in structural engineering this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
