Best colleges for Civil Engineering
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Civil Engineering by graduate earnings are University of Southern California ($85,262), Santa Clara University ($84,883) and California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($80,673), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA): $85,262, 87 graduates a year
- Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA): $84,883, 30 graduates a year
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $80,673, 164 graduates a year
- Cornell University (Ithaca, NY): $80,261, 100 graduates a year
- Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA): $80,231, 22 graduates a year
Compare 316 U.S. colleges offering Civil Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 54 states.
Civil Engineering programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $69,582 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 14.08 and the Civil Engineers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Civil Engineering programs
The Civil Engineering program focuses on the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and water supply systems. This program is ideal for students interested in applying engineering principles to solve real-world problems and improve the built environment. Graduates will be equipped to tackle challenges related to public safety, environmental sustainability, and urban development. Students in this program will explore various specializations, including Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, and Transportation Engineering. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills and theoretical knowledge, preparing students for a dynamic career in engineering and construction management.
Core skills and knowledge in the Civil Engineering program include design principles, mathematics, physics, and an understanding of building and construction practices. Coursework often involves active learning through projects and the use of computer-assisted design tools to plan and design various engineering systems.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $85,262 | 87 | 92% | $26,873 | $8,125 |
| 2 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $84,883 | 30 | 88% | $44,094 | — |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,673 | 164 | 86% | — | $20,424 |
| 4 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $80,261 | 100 | 95% | $17,613 | $12,750 |
| 5 | Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $80,231 | 22 | 86% | $30,675 | $27,000 |
| 6 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,142 | 376 | 93% | — | $14,392 |
| 7 | Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,836 | 25 | 61% | $32,679 | $30,197 |
| 8 | The Catholic University of America Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,501 | 27 | 79% | $27,724 | $24,750 |
| 9 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,731 | 111 | 89% | — | $21,437 |
| 10 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,419 | 71 | 90% | $32,926 | $27,000 |
| 11 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,362 | 166 | 91% | $18,925 | $24,750 |
| 12 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,822 | 130 | 68% | — | $23,812 |
| 13 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,793 | 353 | 84% | — | $19,500 |
| 14 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,758 | 285 | 68% | — | $16,500 |
| 15 | Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,688 | 223 | 94% | — | $22,957 |
| 16 | Merrimack College North Andover, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,556 | 23 | 70% | $33,877 | $27,000 |
| 17 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,510 | 186 | 93% | — | $19,444 |
| 18 | Manhattan University Riverdale, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,290 | 105 | 64% | $26,807 | $27,000 |
| 19 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,165 | 202 | 86% | — | $16,101 |
| 20 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,153 | 242 | 89% | — | $21,030 |
| 21 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,001 | 61 | 68% | $32,713 | $27,000 |
| 22 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,841 | 93 | 60% | — | $22,450 |
| 23 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,822 | 115 | 65% | — | $18,000 |
| 24 | University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,772 | 72 | 96% | — | $14,903 |
| 25 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,748 | 53 | 84% | $28,851 | $27,000 |
Specializations within Civil Engineering
6 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 14.08 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Civil EngineeringCIP 14.080119,047 graduates / yr307 institutions54 states
- Structural EngineeringCIP 14.0803385 graduates / yr24 institutions15 states
- Civil EngineeringCIP 14.0899207 graduates / yr16 institutions11 states
- Transportation and Highway EngineeringCIP 14.0804122 graduates / yr14 institutions11 states
- Water Resources EngineeringCIP 14.080540 graduates / yr11 institutions11 states
- Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental EngineeringCIP 14.0802partial data19 graduates / yr7 institutions6 states
Offered across 54 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2051, Civil Engineers, and its national outlook.
Civil Engineering offers a promising career outlook, with a projected growth rate of 5% and approximately 23,600 annual job openings. Graduates typically earn a median wage of $99,590 and are prepared for roles that require a Bachelor's degree in engineering.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Civil Engineering
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.08.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.08 (Civil Engineering) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-2051 | Civil Engineersprimary |
| 17-2081 | Environmental Engineers |
| 17-2151 | Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers |
| 17-2171 | Petroleum Engineers |
| 17-2199 | Engineers, All Other |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Civil Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
- Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
- Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
- Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
- Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools.
- Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs.
Common questions
What specializations are available in Civil Engineering?+
Students can specialize in areas such as Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Key skills include critical thinking, mathematics, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for Civil Engineering graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 5% and about 23,600 annual openings.
What is the typical education required for a career in Civil Engineering?+
A Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering is typically required for most positions in the field.
How much do Civil Engineering graduates earn?+
Civil Engineering graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $69,582, College Scorecard (2019); the Civil Engineers occupation pays about $108,670 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Civil Engineering?+
Civil Engineering maps to CIP 14.08 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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