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Best Value Civil Engineering Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

CUNY City College delivers the nation's most affordable civil engineering education at just $3,486 net cost while producing graduates earning $64,706 annually. This remarkable return on investment positions the Harlem campus among America's strongest value propositions for future infrastructure professionals. The 15 programs examined here span costs from $3,486 to $11,504, yet earnings remain surprisingly tight between $50,439 and $67,061. California dominates the list with six schools, reflecting the state's massive infrastructure spending and seismic safety requirements that drive consistent demand for civil engineers. University of Florida stands out with a 91.5% graduation rate despite accepting only 23.35% of applicants, while University of Connecticut-Waterbury delivers the highest graduate earnings at $67,061. These programs feed directly into America's $1.7 trillion infrastructure modernization effort, where civil engineers design everything from earthquake-resistant bridges to flood management systems.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $14,979
Net Price Range
$61,299
Avg. Program Earnings
61.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Civil Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,486 $64,706 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
2 $4,113 $61,516 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,646 $60,117 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $6,351 $64,642 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
5 $6,480 $59,666 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
6 $6,747 $57,860 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
7 $7,131 $57,318 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
8 $6,500 $50,439 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
9 $8,896 $67,061 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
10 $7,599 $53,108 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
11 $8,931 $60,943 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
12 $8,001 $54,252 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
13 $9,634 $63,997 $8,640 36.7%
14 $9,133 $59,485 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
15 $10,011 $61,681 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
16 $8,463 $52,107 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
17 $10,512 $64,406 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
18 $9,957 $58,092 $8,064 36.1% 64.6%
19 $11,504 $67,061 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
20 $10,026 $58,221 $8,568 33.0%
21 $12,640 $71,957 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
22 $10,353 $58,673 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
23 $10,043 $55,964 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
24 $10,319 $57,318 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
25 $11,580 $64,231 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
26 $11,429 $63,005 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
27 $10,650 $58,092 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
28 $13,741 $74,845 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
29 $11,234 $60,771 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
30 $10,997 $58,568 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
31 $12,882 $66,592 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
32 $10,204 $52,107 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
33 $10,980 $55,964 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
34 $13,339 $67,061 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
35 $12,313 $61,839 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
36 $11,750 $58,221 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
37 $13,485 $66,342 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
38 $13,289 $65,238 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
39 $14,013 $68,592 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
40 $12,840 $62,707 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
41 $12,791 $61,888 $8,370 47.5% 85.9%
42 $12,817 $62,012 $10,144 53.1% 82.7%
43 $13,181 $63,600 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
44 $12,323 $59,350 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
45 $13,780 $66,325 $7,566 28.9% 65.3%
46 $10,726 $51,607 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
47 $14,059 $67,061 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
48 $14,979 $71,351 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
49 $13,853 $65,457 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
50 $10,916 $51,551 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY City College's civil engineering program such strong value?

The program costs just $3,486 annually while graduates earn $64,706, creating one of the best cost-to-earnings ratios in the country. Students graduate with only $19,529 in debt on average. The 54.7% graduation rate reflects the rigorous academic standards while maintaining accessibility for working students in New York's competitive job market.

How do California State University programs compare for civil engineering value?

Six CSU campuses made this list with net costs ranging from $4,113 at Los Angeles to $8,931 at Long Beach. Cal State Fullerton leads with a 69.2% graduation rate and graduates earning $60,117 annually. These programs benefit from California's seismic engineering requirements and major infrastructure projects throughout the state.

Is University of Florida worth the competitive admission process?

With a 23.35% acceptance rate, Florida is highly selective but delivers strong results. The 91.5% graduation rate far exceeds other programs on this list, and graduates earn $64,642 annually. Students pay only $6,351 net cost, making it an outstanding value despite the admission difficulty.

Does location affect civil engineering graduate earnings significantly?

Regional variation is surprisingly modest, with earnings spanning only $16,622 from lowest to highest. University of Connecticut-Waterbury tops at $67,061 while UT Rio Grande Valley graduates start at $50,439. Urban programs generally show higher starting salaries due to local infrastructure demands and construction activity.

Where can students find quality civil engineering programs under $7,000?

Seven programs cost under $7,000 annually, led by CUNY City College at $3,486 and Cal State LA at $4,113. These schools maintain strong industry connections while keeping costs low. New Mexico State offers particularly good value at $6,747 with graduates carrying only $11,194 in debt.

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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.