Best Value Civil Engineering Colleges in Texas

Rice University transforms the value equation for Texas civil engineering students despite charging a $12,640 net price that doubles most public options. Graduates earn $71,957 annually while maintaining a 95.70% graduation rate that towers above the state average. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley counters with the state's lowest net cost at $6,500, though graduates earn $50,439 with a 49.30% completion rate. Texas civil engineers enter a market shaped by massive infrastructure projects including Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts, border security construction, and energy sector expansion across refineries and wind farms. Southern Methodist University caps the price spectrum at $41,778 net cost but delivers the highest graduate earnings at $73,737. Public universities dominate the middle tier, with Texas A&M College Station producing $66,094 earners at a $20,924 net price. The 20-school market reveals a $35,278 cost spread and $23,298 earnings gap, reflecting varied institutional missions from regional access to research leadership. Houston's role as an engineering center, combined with statewide infrastructure demands, creates strong job placement opportunities regardless of program choice.

Programs

$6,500 – $41,778

Net Price Range

$61,075

Avg. Program Earnings

55.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

20 Civil Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, Texas	$6,500	$50,439	$9,859	49.3%	87.7%
2	Rice University Houston, Texas	$12,640	$71,957	$58,128	95.7%	8.7%
3	Lamar University Beaumont, Texas	$11,429	$63,005	$8,690	37.2%	83.7%
4	The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, Texas	$11,234	$60,771	$8,991	51.2%	86.9%
5	Texas A & M University-Kingsville Kingsville, Texas	$10,204	$52,107	$9,892	45.6%	96.6%
6	The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, Texas	$10,726	$51,607	$9,744	45.9%	99.9%
7	University of Houston Houston, Texas	$13,853	$65,457	$9,711	64.9%	66.2%
8	The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, Texas	$13,931	$58,221	$9,920	46.8%	93.9%
9	The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, Texas	$15,235	$62,534	$11,728	56.5%	80.8%
10	Prairie View A & M University Prairie View, Texas	$14,041	$53,358	$11,299	43.2%	76.1%
11	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$62,848	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%
12	Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas	$20,071	$63,997	$11,852	67.5%	67.3%
13	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$20,924	$66,094	$13,099	83.8%	62.7%
14	LeTourneau University Longview, Texas	$25,314	$59,986	$35,500	61.1%	48.8%
15	Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas	$41,778	$73,737	$64,460	83.3%	52.3%
16	West Texas A & M University Canyon, Texas	$20,841		$9,101	47.3%	91.6%
17	Angelo State University San Angelo, Texas	$12,915		$8,319	40.7%	79.1%
18	Texas Southern University Houston, Texas	$19,734		$9,173	19.9%	96.8%
19	Tarleton State University Stephenville, Texas	$20,261		$7,878	51.2%	87.1%
20	Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, Texas	$15,137		$9,748	33.7%	88.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Rice University worth its higher cost compared to public options?

Rice charges a $12,640 net price but produces graduates earning $71,957 annually with a 95.70% graduation rate. Public alternatives like UT San Antonio cost $11,234 but yield $60,771 earnings with 51.20% completion rates. Rice's selectivity at 8.68% acceptance creates smaller cohorts and stronger industry connections. The $11,186 earnings premium over UT San Antonio pays back the modest cost difference within two years.

How do Texas public universities compare for civil engineering value?

UT Rio Grande Valley offers the lowest public net cost at $6,500 but graduates earn $50,439 with 49.30% completion rates. Texas A&M College Station charges $20,924 but delivers $66,094 earnings and 83.80% graduation rates. University of Houston balances cost and outcomes at $13,853 net price with $65,457 graduate earnings. The $15,655 earnings gap between top and bottom public programs often justifies higher upfront costs.

Does location within Texas affect civil engineering job prospects?

Houston programs benefit from proximity to petrochemical facilities, port infrastructure, and the Texas Medical Center expansion projects. Austin and San Antonio graduates access state government contracts and military construction initiatives. Border cities like El Paso and Edinburg offer specialized opportunities in international trade infrastructure and border security projects. Rural programs like Texas A&M Kingsville connect students to agricultural and energy sector engineering needs.

What debt levels should Texas civil engineering students expect?

Average debt ranges from $11,000 at UT Rio Grande Valley to $25,980 at Texas Tech University. Rice University data shows no reported debt figures, typical of well-endowed private institutions with strong financial aid. Public universities average $20,000 in student debt across programs. Starting salaries between $50,439 and $73,737 generally support manageable debt service ratios under 10% of income.

Is the earnings gap between programs significant long-term?

The $23,298 spread between Southern Methodist's $73,737 and UT Rio Grande Valley's $50,439 graduate earnings compounds over careers. Rice graduates at $71,957 earn $21,518 more annually than UT San Antonio graduates at $50,439. Texas A&M College Station's $66,094 represents strong middle-tier value for public education. Regional salary differences and specialization choices often matter more than school prestige after five years of experience.

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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.