Best Value Civil Engineering Colleges in Florida

University of Florida delivers strong value in civil engineering education with a net cost of just $6,351 while producing graduates who earn $64,642 annually. This creates the strongest return on investment among Florida's 13 programs, where costs range from $6,351 to $40,289. The state's massive infrastructure projects, including hurricane recovery efforts and expanding transit systems in Miami and Tampa, create steady demand for civil engineers. Florida's lack of state income tax means these starting salaries stretch further than in most states, while the Bright Futures scholarship program can eliminate tuition costs entirely for top students.

Programs

$6,351 – $40,289

Net Price Range

$54,063

Avg. Program Earnings

66.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Civil Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$6,351	$64,642	$6,381	91.5%	23.4%
2	Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida	$8,001	$54,252	$4,879	64.3%	81.3%
3	Florida International University Miami, Florida	$9,133	$59,485	$6,565	73.9%	63.9%
4	University of North Florida Jacksonville, Florida	$10,353	$58,673	$6,389	68.2%	70.5%
5	University of South Florida Tampa, Florida	$10,043	$55,964	$6,410	74.6%	43.9%
6	Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, Florida	$10,319	$57,318	$6,118	56.0%	74.4%
7	University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida	$10,650	$58,092	$6,368	75.1%	41.0%
8	Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida	$10,997	$58,568	$5,656	83.0%	25.0%
9	Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, Florida	$35,300	$49,019	$44,360	65.5%	64.4%
10	Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico-Orlando Orlando, Florida	$20,040	$24,615	$14,262	8.3%
11	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, Florida	$40,289		$42,304	67.4%	64.5%
12	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, Florida	$15,847		$5,785	51.9%	32.9%
13	University of Miami Coral Gables, Florida	$36,803		$59,926	84.2%	18.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Florida such a strong value for civil engineering?

UF combines the lowest net cost at $6,351 with the highest graduate earnings at $64,642, creating a 10-to-1 return ratio. The program maintains a 91.5% graduation rate while accepting only 23.35% of applicants, indicating both selectivity and student success.

How do private schools compare to public options in Florida?

Private programs cost significantly more, with Florida Institute of Technology at $35,300 and Embry-Riddle at $40,289 in net costs. However, graduates from these private schools earn less than those from top public programs like UF, FSU, and FIU.

Is there a big difference in earnings between Florida civil engineering programs?

Graduate earnings span from $24,615 to $64,642, a gap of $40,000 annually. The top six earning programs all produce graduates making over $54,000, while public universities dominate the highest salary ranges.

Where do civil engineers find the best job opportunities in Florida?

Miami, Tampa, and Orlando offer the most opportunities due to ongoing infrastructure expansion and hurricane recovery projects. The state's tourism industry also drives constant construction of hotels, theme parks, and transportation systems requiring civil engineering expertise.

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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.