Civil Engineering

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$70,415

Median Earnings

$85,133

Schools Offering

235

ROI Grade

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $81,203Median: $85,13375th: $89,822

Best Schools for Civil Engineering by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	University of California-Berkeley CA · Public	97	$108,548	$13,481	$14,392	A
2	The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art NY · Private	94	$108,466	$13,269	N/A	-
3	Columbia University in the City of New York NY · Private	96	$108,246	$21,590	N/A	-
4	University of Southern California CA · Private	91	$106,308	$32,740	$8,125	A
5	Santa Clara University CA · Private	90	$105,594	$50,062	N/A	-
6	Carnegie Mellon University PA · Private	97	$105,199	$31,944	N/A	-
7	Loyola Marymount University CA · Private	72	$103,223	$48,381	$27,000	B+
8	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo CA · Public	96	$101,072	$16,665	$20,424	B+
9	George Washington University DC · Private	88	$100,990	$36,586	N/A	-
10	Northeastern University MA · Private	91	$100,613	$30,915	$24,750	B+
11	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona CA · Public	89	$97,790	$11,531	$16,500	A
12	California State University-Northridge CA · Public	80	$97,123	$7,021	$18,732	B+
13	University of California-Los Angeles CA · Public	96	$97,092	$12,548	$19,444	B+
14	University of California-Irvine CA · Public	94	$96,354	$14,251	$19,700	B+
15	University of California-Davis CA · Public	95	$95,939	$14,741	$16,101	A
16	Manhattan University NY · Private	84	$95,877	$27,256	$27,000	B
17	San Diego State University CA · Public	84	$95,865	$15,364	$19,832	B+
18	California State University-Fullerton CA · Public	88	$95,854	$6,555	$13,548	A
19	Bucknell University PA · Private	87	$95,693	$40,766	$27,000	B+
20	The University of Texas at Austin TX · Public	90	$95,271	$19,857	$21,030	B+
21	University of Colorado Boulder CO · Public	80	$94,960	$25,346	$20,500	B+
22	New York University NY · Private	84	$94,867	$37,050	$21,905	B+
23	California State University-Los Angeles CA · Public	80	$94,760	$3,967	$18,767	B+
24	Colorado School of Mines CO · Public	94	$94,228	$28,690	$25,000	B
25	The College of New Jersey NJ · Public	83	$93,977	$27,646	$26,500	B
26	California State University-Sacramento CA · Public	83	$93,973	$9,338	$19,124	B+
27	George Mason University VA · Public	86	$93,856	$17,915	$23,812	B+
28	The Catholic University of America DC · Private	77	$93,821	$29,561	$24,750	B+
29	Worcester Polytechnic Institute MA · Private	90	$93,417	$43,071	$27,000	B
30	Wentworth Institute of Technology MA · Private	82	$93,402	$34,170	$27,000	B
31	University of Maryland-College Park MD · Public	94	$93,280	$15,678	$21,437	B+
32	Stony Brook University NY · Public	87	$92,908	$18,784	$17,250	A
33	Milwaukee School of Engineering WI · Private	89	$92,809	$22,453	N/A	-
34	Stevens Institute of Technology NJ · Private	92	$92,609	$41,346	$27,000	B
35	California State University-Chico CA · Public	82	$92,472	$14,480	$21,583	B+
36	Texas A&M University-College Station TX · Public	89	$92,433	$21,315	$19,500	B+
37	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus CO · Public	76	$92,224	$11,900	$38,460	C+
38	University of Washington-Seattle Campus WA · Public	94	$92,010	$14,091	$14,874	A
39	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus WA · Public	91	$92,010	$10,163	$14,874	A
40	Washington State University WA · Public	84	$91,879	$14,971	$22,450	B+
41	Lehigh University PA · Private	93	$91,856	$36,931	$27,000	B
42	University of California-San Diego CA · Public	96	$91,745	$12,470	$16,400	B+
43	University of Virginia-Main Campus VA · Public	95	$91,651	$21,565	$14,903	A
44	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign IL · Public	93	$91,650	$14,355	$19,054	B+
45	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga TN · Public	52	$91,615	$14,265	$20,747	B+
46	University of Arizona AZ · Public	75	$91,602	$16,674	$18,500	B+
47	Cornell University NY · Private	96	$91,242	$28,690	$12,750	A
48	San Francisco State University CA · Public	80	$90,894	$12,278	$18,873	B+
49	Purdue University-Main Campus IN · Public	91	$90,873	$14,600	$19,500	B+
50	Merrimack College MA · Private	70	$90,714	$37,927	$27,000	B

Exceptional Value

Is Civil Engineering Worth It?

The Numbers Support This Major

Civil Engineering is one of the strongest financial bets in higher education. With average graduate earnings of $70,415 four years after graduation, this field consistently outperforms the median across all majors. The return on investment is clear.

235 schools offer this major, giving you reasonable options. Compare net prices and graduate earnings at your specific target schools - the range between the best and worst ROI within this field is substantial.

The top school for this major by earnings is The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, where graduates earn $108,466 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Civil Engineering All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.

Civil Engineering

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

Best Schools for Civil Engineering by Earnings

Is Civil Engineering Worth It?

The Numbers Support This Major

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