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2026 Best Civil Engineering Schools

2026 Best Civil Engineering Schools

Looking for the best Civil Engineering programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 334 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.

To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.

Top 25 Civil Engineering Schools in the United States

Here are the top-ranked schools:

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology tops our 2026 ranking of the best Civil Engineering programs schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Civil Engineering students take on a median of $13,516 in debt. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

You'll be in good company at Northwestern University, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More on Northwestern University

#3

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

Princeton University came in at #3 on this year's Civil Engineering ranking in the United States. Based in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Get the full Princeton University report

#4

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

You'll be in good company at Stanford University, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about Stanford University

#5

Rice University

Houston, TX

The strong Civil Engineering programs at Rice University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. More on Rice University

#6

Duke University

Durham, NC

Duke University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Get the full Duke University report

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Terre Haute, IN, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,046. Students borrow a median of $24,132 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. See the full Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology profile

#8

University Of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $20,100. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile

#9

University Of Virginia Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #9 position. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $14,903 in student loans. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #10 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Civil Engineering students take on a median of $20,424 in debt. See the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo profile

#11

Lafayette College

Easton, PA

Lafayette College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lafayette College graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,648. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about Lafayette College

#12

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University placed #12 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $13,975. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University

#13

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University placed #13 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,812. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Bucknell University

#14

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

Cornell University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $12,750. Read the full report on Cornell University

University Of Southern California ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $8,125. Read more about University Of Southern California

#16

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Lehigh University

#17

Villanova University

Villanova, PA

Villanova University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Get the full Villanova University report

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $21,030. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report

University Of California Berkeley landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $14,392. More on University Of California Berkeley

The College Of New Jersey ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Located in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $26,500. Get the full The College Of New Jersey report

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $22,957. Read the full report on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $25,760 in student loans. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report

#23

Purdue University Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More on Purdue University Main Campus

Texas A And M University College Station ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $19,500. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report

Rest of the Top 50 Best Civil Engineering Schools in the United States

These schools also placed among the very best this year:

#26

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $27,000. More on Michigan State University

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #27 in this year's ranking. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison

#28

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $20,144. Read the full report on Santa Clara University

#29

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Get the full Loyola Marymount University report

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #30 in this year's ranking. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $18,750. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

#31

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. Get the full Carnegie Mellon University report

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $14,874. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #33 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Civil Engineering students take on a median of $19,054 in debt. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #34 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York

Stevens Institute Of Technology came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $63,462. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $27,000. See the full Stevens Institute Of Technology profile

Colorado School Of Mines placed #36 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Golden, CO. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full Colorado School Of Mines report

University Of California Los Angeles placed #37 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. University Of California Los Angeles Civil Engineering students take on a median of $19,444 in debt. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles

University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #38 position. This public school is set in Davis, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $16,101. See the full University Of California Davis profile

#39

Manhattan College

Riverdale, NY

Manhattan College did well this year, earning the #39 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Riverdale, NY. Manhattan College posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,400. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $27,000. Get the full Manhattan College report

#40

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #40 position. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about Johns Hopkins University

#41

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University placed #41 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,170. Marquette University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on Marquette University

#42

Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University placed #42 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. Gonzaga University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,480. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full Gonzaga University report

#43

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University did well this year, earning the #43 position. San Jose State University is a public school based in San Jose, CA. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. More on San Jose State University

#44

University Of Dayton

Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Set in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. See the full University Of Dayton profile

#45

University Of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $20,121. More on University Of Florida

Case Western Reserve University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,190 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. More on Case Western Reserve University

University Of California San Diego placed #47 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. University Of California San Diego Civil Engineering students take on a median of $16,400 in debt. Read the full report on University Of California San Diego

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $21,437 in student loans. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report

#49

Tufts University

Medford, MA

Tufts University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Tufts University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $17,074 in debt. Read more about Tufts University

New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Set in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. New Jersey Institute Of Technology graduates 73% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,085 in student loans. Read the full report on New Jersey Institute Of Technology

Best Civil Engineering Schools by Degree Level

Compare rankings by degree level:

Ranking Methodology & Notes

This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 334 ranked schools only.

References

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