Best Colleges for Civil Engineering 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings — real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Civil Engineering is a field of study that develops specialized knowledge and skills applicable across a range of professional settings. Undergraduate programs typically combine foundational coursework with applied projects, laboratory work, or research experiences designed to prepare graduates for entry-level careers or advanced study.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers across multiple industries. Career paths and earning potential vary depending on the specific concentration, graduate degree attainment, and employer. The rankings below are based on actual graduate earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks median earnings for graduates of each school-major combination.
When evaluating Civil Engineering programs, consider accreditation status, research and internship opportunities, faculty expertise, and the school's alumni network in your target career field. The earnings data on this page provides an objective, evidence-based signal to help you compare programs by real-world financial outcomes.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
Top 20 Civil Engineering Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | $106,533 | $68,237 | 10% | 20,817 |
| 2 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA | $100,598 | $59,241 | 44% | 6,235 |
| 3 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY | $95,056 | $66,014 | 8% | 15,935 |
| 4 | California State University-Chico Chico, CA | $93,131 | $19,944 | 94% | 13,057 |
| 5 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA | $91,424 | $30,995 | 30% | 21,521 |
| 6 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA | $91,243 | $46,024 | 42% | 31,777 |
| 7 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | $91,006 | $45,627 | 12% | 33,073 |
| 8 | Manhattan University Riverdale, NY | $90,904 | $50,850 | 78% | 2,928 |
| 9 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | $90,288 | $44,524 | 9% | 33,040 |
| 10 | California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | $90,155 | $18,698 | 92% | 21,478 |
| 11 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA | $89,286 | $19,304 | 96% | 20,033 |
| 12 | Lafayette College Easton, PA | $88,494 | $62,574 | 31% | 2,746 |
| 13 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ | $87,839 | $60,952 | 43% | 4,084 |
| 14 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA | $87,7901yr | $58,974 | 40% | 7,171 |
| 15 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA | $86,596 | $20,170 | 34% | 33,654 |
| 16 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | $86,209 | $45,014 | 26% | 29,494 |
| 17 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA | $85,859 | $59,070 | 59% | 5,344 |
| 18 | Saint Martin's University Lacey, WA | $85,216 | $44,210 | 76% | 1,254 |
| 19 | New York University New York, NY | $85,133 | $60,438 | 9% | 29,430 |
| 20 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | $85,123 | $58,072 | 18% | 33,488 |
Explore All Civil Engineering Programs
See earnings data for all 220 schools offering Civil Engineering, including debt figures and graduate counts.
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Compare SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a Civil Engineering program?
Look for programs with relevant accreditation, strong research or internship opportunities, experienced faculty with industry connections, and alumni networks in the careers you want to pursue. Hands-on learning experiences and career placement rates are also important indicators of program quality.
What careers can I pursue with a Civil Engineering degree?
A Civil Engineering degree prepares graduates for a range of careers depending on the specific concentration and any graduate study pursued. Review the program's placement data and alumni outcomes to understand where graduates from a specific school tend to land after graduation.
How much do Civil Engineering graduates earn?
Earnings for Civil Engineering graduates vary by school, specialization, and career path. The rankings on this page reflect verified median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, giving you a school-level view of real financial outcomes for this major.