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Civil Engineering Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Civil engineering education creates dramatic cost-to-career value gaps that surprise many students. CUNY City College delivers the highest graduate earnings at $64,706 annually while maintaining a net price of just $3,486, making it an strong return on investment. The University of Florida produces similarly strong outcomes with graduates earning $64,642, though its 23.35% acceptance rate reflects high selectivity compared to schools like California State University-Fresno with 95.43% acceptance. Civil engineers find abundant opportunities across the nation's infrastructure renewal projects, with the American Society of Civil Engineers estimating a $2.6 trillion investment need over the next decade. This demand particularly benefits graduates from public universities, which comprise most affordable options and often maintain strong regional connections to state transportation departments and municipal engineering firms. California State University campuses demonstrate this pattern well, with Los Angeles, Fullerton, and Fresno all producing graduates earning above $59,000 while keeping net costs under $6,500.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $11,750
Net Price Range
$56,436
Avg. Program Earnings
51.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Civil Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
2 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
4 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
5 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
6 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
7 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
8 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
9 $6,392 $5,966 36.7%
10 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
11 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
12 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
13 $6,680 $5,966 41.7%
14 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
15 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
16 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
17 $7,668 $6,920 30.2%
18 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
19 $8,265 $9,058 56.4% 74.4%
20 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
21 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
22 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
23 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
24 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
25 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
26 $9,634 $8,640 36.7%
27 $9,957 $8,064 36.1% 64.6%
28 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
29 $10,017 $12,817 62.3% 88.4%
30 $10,026 $8,568 33.0%
31 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
32 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
33 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
34 $10,353 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
35 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
36 $10,555 $59,710 97.1% 5.7%
37 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
38 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
39 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
40 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
41 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
42 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
43 $11,147 $9,172 42.5% 69.8%
44 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
45 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
46 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
47 $11,513 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
48 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
49 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
50 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $42,742 earnings gap between the highest and lowest paying programs?

Regional job markets and program focus create significant salary differences among civil engineering graduates. CUNY City College and University of Florida graduates earn over $64,000 annually, likely benefiting from proximity to major infrastructure projects and higher regional wages. In contrast, Caribbean University graduates average $21,964, reflecting different regional economies and potentially different program emphases. The geographic location of your program often determines your initial job market and starting salary expectations.

How do California State University programs compare in value and outcomes?

California State University campuses offer remarkably consistent value with net costs between $4,113 and $6,480. Los Angeles produces the highest-earning graduates at $61,516, followed closely by Fullerton at $60,117 and Fresno at $59,666. All three maintain graduation rates above 50%, with Fullerton leading at 69.20%. These programs benefit from California's massive infrastructure needs and proximity to major engineering firms.

Is the University of Florida worth its selective admissions process?

Florida's 23.35% acceptance rate reflects intense competition, but graduates justify this selectivity with strong outcomes. The 91.50% graduation rate far exceeds most affordable programs, while the $64,642 average earnings rank among the highest nationally. Students graduate with $18,609 in debt, reasonable given the earning potential. The combination of low net cost, high completion rates, and excellent career outcomes makes Florida highly competitive for good reason.

Does program location affect civil engineering career prospects significantly?

Geographic location heavily influences both program costs and graduate earnings in civil engineering. Schools in major metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles produce higher-earning graduates, while regional campuses often struggle with lower completion rates. Ohio University's satellite campuses show graduation rates between 12.10% and 20.00%, compared to flagship universities exceeding 50%. Urban programs typically offer better internship opportunities and industry connections that translate to stronger career outcomes.

What debt levels should students expect from affordable civil engineering programs?

Most affordable civil engineering programs produce manageable debt loads well below national averages. California State University graduates typically carry between $13,274 and $16,500 in debt, while earning $59,000 to $61,000 annually. University of Florida graduates average $18,609 in debt against $64,642 earnings, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios. However, Ohio University campuses show concerning $26,875 debt levels despite low graduation rates, suggesting students should carefully evaluate program completion statistics.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.