2026 Best Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Civil Engineering bachelor’s degree 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 reviewed schools to produce 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Duke University to be the best Civil Engineering school in the United States. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $13,296. Read more about Duke University
Out of the 334 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #2 spot. Set in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $13,516. See the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology profile
A rank of #3 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $16,616. Get the full Northwestern University report
You'll be in good company at Rice University, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. See the full Rice University profile
Out of the 334 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Princeton University landed the #5 spot. Princeton University is a private not-for-profit school based in Princeton, NJ. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $10,888. Read the full report on Princeton University
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Located in Terre Haute, IN, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $56,046. Students borrow a median of $24,132 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. More on Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology
University Of Notre Dame came in at #7 in this year's ranking. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $20,100. Get the full University Of Notre Dame report
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #8 in this year's ranking. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school based in San Luis Obispo, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $20,424. Get the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo report
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $14,903 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Cornell University placed #10 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Cornell University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $12,750 in debt. Get the full Cornell University report
Lafayette College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Located in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,648. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $16,000. Read the full report on Lafayette College
University Of Southern California ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $8,125. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Vanderbilt University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Bucknell University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,812. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $27,000. Get the full Bucknell University report
Lehigh University placed #15 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $27,000. See the full Lehigh University profile
University Of California Berkeley placed #16 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,392 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,030 in student loans. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus did well this year, earning the #19 position. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $22,957. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #20 position. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #21 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $25,760. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
The College Of New Jersey landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. The College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Ewing, NJ. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. The College Of New Jersey Civil Engineering students take on a median of $26,500 in debt. Read the full report on The College Of New Jersey
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #23 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Stanford University placed #24 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $10,492. Read more about Stanford University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Villanova University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Villanova University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Villanova University
Stevens Institute Of Technology came in at #28 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hoboken, NJ. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,462. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read the full report on Stevens Institute Of Technology
Colorado School Of Mines placed #29 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about Colorado School Of Mines
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Civil Engineering students take on a median of $19,054 in debt. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
Michigan State University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read the full report on Michigan State University
Loyola Marymount University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $27,000. Read more about Loyola Marymount University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $14,874. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Santa Clara University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about Santa Clara University
University Of California Davis came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. University Of California Davis posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $16,101 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about University Of California Davis
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Based in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,078. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Civil Engineering students take on a median of $26,979 in debt. More on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Graduates carry a median of $19,444 in student loans. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
University Of Florida landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $20,121. Get the full University Of Florida report
Marquette University placed #40 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Marquette University
Gonzaga University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Spokane, WA. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $25,000. Get the full Gonzaga University report
Manhattan College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Located in Riverdale, NY, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Manhattan College posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,400. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $27,000. See the full Manhattan College profile
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,437 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
Michigan Technological University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Based in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Michigan Technological University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full Michigan Technological University report
San Jose State University did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Read more about San Jose State University
Case Western Reserve University placed #46 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, OH. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,190 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Get the full Case Western Reserve University report
George Washington University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $22,910. See the full George Washington University profile
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #48 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about Saint Louis University Main Campus
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $23,258. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Georgia placed #50 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. University Of Georgia Civil Engineering students take on a median of $26,744 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
Related Civil Engineering Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Civil Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best Civil Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Civil Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Civil Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Civil Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Civil Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Civil Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.