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Best Value Civil Engineering Colleges in Michigan

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

Michigan's civil engineering programs show a striking cost advantage, with six public universities offering net prices below $21,000 while producing graduates earning $59,000 to $66,000 annually. The University of Michigan leads both earnings at $66,045 and selectivity at just 17.69% acceptance, while Wayne State delivers the lowest net cost at $14,773. This strong return on investment aligns perfectly with Michigan's infrastructure demands from its automotive manufacturing base and expanding renewable energy projects across the Great Lakes region.
8
Programs
$14,773 – $33,995
Net Price Range
$61,427
Avg. Program Earnings
65.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Civil Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,832 $66,045 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
2 $14,773 $62,579 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
3 $15,729 $63,217 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
4 $18,701 $59,576 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
5 $20,751 $63,788 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
6 $33,995 $53,358 $41,872 62.6% 81.9%
7 $15,171 $12,810 31.3% 36.7%
8 $16,179 $32,300 68.1% 90.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $19,000 gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Lawrence Technological University costs $33,995 annually compared to Wayne State's $14,773, reflecting the private versus public divide. However, LTU graduates earn $53,358, which is $9,000 less than Wayne State graduates at $62,579, making the public option clearly superior financially.

How do Michigan's civil engineering salaries compare to program costs?

Graduates earn between $53,358 and $66,045, with most programs offering 3-to-1 or better salary-to-cost ratios. Michigan Tech delivers particularly strong value with $63,217 average earnings against just $15,729 in net costs.

Is University of Michigan worth its competitive admission process?

With only 17.69% of applicants accepted, Michigan produces the highest-earning graduates at $66,045 and maintains a 93.20% graduation rate. The $14,832 net cost delivers strong value for those who gain admission.

More Civil Engineering Rankings

Cheapest Civil Engineering in Michigan Civil Engineering Under $20,000 in Michigan

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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.