Cheapest Civil Engineering Colleges in Illinois

Civil Engineering students in Illinois face a remarkable $15,551 cost spread between the cheapest and most expensive programs. Western Illinois University leads affordability at just $11,592 net cost, while Northwestern reaches $27,143. The state's construction industry, driven by Chicago's ongoing infrastructure projects and statewide transportation needs, creates steady demand for civil engineers. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates command the highest starting salaries at $65,148 despite moderate costs.

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	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Western Illinois University Macomb, Illinois	$11,592	$14,952	44.8%	75.0%
2	University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, Illinois	$12,313	$14,338	60.3%	78.7%
3	Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Edwardsville, Illinois	$13,696	$12,922	55.0%	97.5%
4	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, Illinois	$15,201	$16,004	84.9%	44.8%
5	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois	$16,177	$13,244	56.3%	91.5%
6	Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, Illinois	$19,353	$51,763	72.4%	61.4%
7	Bradley University Peoria, Illinois	$23,572	$39,680	72.1%	75.1%
8	Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois	$27,143	$65,997	95.9%	7.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign worth the higher cost?

UIUC graduates earn $65,148 starting salaries, significantly above the state average of $60,586. The program maintains an 84.90% graduation rate and keeps debt manageable at $19,000 despite being more selective with 44.82% acceptance.

How do public university costs compare across Illinois?

Public programs range from $11,592 to $16,177 in net costs, with Western Illinois offering the lowest price point. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville provides strong value with 55% graduation rates at just $13,696 net cost.

Does attending a private school guarantee better outcomes?

Illinois Institute of Technology charges $19,353 but produces graduates earning $62,111 with 72.40% completion rates. However, public options like UIUC often match or exceed these outcomes at lower costs.

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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.