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Best Value Civil Engineering Colleges in Illinois

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

Northwestern University tops Illinois civil engineering programs with a 95.90% graduation rate, though its $27,143 net cost stands nearly double that of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign at $15,201. Illinois civil engineers benefit from Chicago's massive infrastructure projects, including ongoing CTA expansions and lakefront developments that create steady demand for graduates. Earnings across the state's eight programs range from $57,770 to $65,148, with public universities delivering strong returns at significantly lower costs than private alternatives.
8
Programs
$11,592 – $27,143
Net Price Range
$61,502
Avg. Program Earnings
67.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Civil Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,313 $61,839 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
2 $15,201 $65,148 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
3 $13,696 $57,770 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
4 $16,177 $58,221 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
5 $19,353 $62,111 $51,763 72.4% 61.4%
6 $23,572 $63,921 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
7 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
8 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign the strongest value proposition?

UIUC combines the state's highest earnings at $65,148 with a moderate $15,201 net cost and solid 84.90% graduation rate. The program maintains strong industry connections while keeping student debt at just $19,000, well below the national average.

How do acceptance rates affect program quality in Illinois?

Northwestern's highly selective 7.21% acceptance rate correlates with its 95.90% graduation rate, while Southern Illinois Edwardsville accepts 97.51% of applicants but graduates only 55%. Mid-range selectivity schools like Illinois Tech (61.44% acceptance) often balance accessibility with strong outcomes.

Does choosing a public university significantly reduce costs?

Public programs average $14,347 in net costs compared to $23,356 for private schools, creating a $9,000 annual difference. Western Illinois offers the lowest net cost at $11,592, while private Bradley University reaches $23,572 despite similar career outcomes.

More Civil Engineering Rankings

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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.