2026 Best Civil Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Civil Engineering doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 334 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh 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 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Massachusetts Institute Of Technology this year in the United States. Set in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. 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
Duke University came in at #2 on this year's Civil Engineering ranking in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about Duke University
Out of the 334 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Princeton University landed the #3 spot. Set in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $10,888. More on Princeton University
University Of Notre Dame came in at #4 on this year's Civil Engineering ranking in the United States. Set in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $20,100. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
The strong Civil Engineering programs at Northwestern University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Northwestern University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read more about Northwestern University
Rice University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $11,904. Read the full report on Rice University
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #7 position. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $14,903. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Vanderbilt University placed #8 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about Vanderbilt University
Cornell University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Get the full Cornell University report
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $21,030. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
Lehigh University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located 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. More on Lehigh University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus Civil Engineering students take on a median of $22,957 in debt. Get the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus report
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Purdue University Main Campus Civil Engineering students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. More on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Southern California came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $8,125. Get the full University Of Southern California report
Stanford University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $10,492. Read the full report on Stanford University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,392 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Texas A And M University College Station placed #17 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in College Station, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #18 in this year's ranking. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Civil Engineering students take on a median of $18,750 in debt. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Michigan State University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $27,000. Get the full Michigan State University report
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $23,250. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,760 in student loans. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #23 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Civil Engineering students take on a median of $19,054 in debt. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $25,000. More on Colorado School Of Mines
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,874 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best Civil Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #26 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,444 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
Johns Hopkins University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. More on Johns Hopkins University
University Of California Davis ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Based in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. University Of California Davis posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Graduates carry a median of $16,101 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Davis
Case Western Reserve University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Located in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Graduates carry a median of $25,190 in student loans. Read more about Case Western Reserve University
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #30 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in College Park, MD. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $21,437. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Marquette University placed #31 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Marquette University
Tufts University placed #32 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. Tufts University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Read the full report on Tufts University
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $23,258. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Michigan Technological University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Based in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Michigan Technological University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. See the full Michigan Technological University profile
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $23,529. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,979 in student loans. See the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute profile
University Of Florida came in at #37 in this year's ranking. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $20,121. Get the full University Of Florida report
Catholic University Of America did well this year, earning the #38 position. Set in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Catholic University Of America graduates 80% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Read the full report on Catholic University Of America
Iowa State University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Iowa State University
University Of California San Diego came in at #40 in this year's ranking. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. University Of California San Diego posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. 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
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Set in Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,462. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full Stevens Institute Of Technology profile
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. University Of Missouri Columbia Civil Engineering students take on a median of $26,828 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #43 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. About 64% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $27,000. See the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology profile
University Of Nebraska Lincoln did well this year, earning the #44 position. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #45 position. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $22,103. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Delaware landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Newark, DE. About 82% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. University Of Delaware Civil Engineering students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Delaware
New Jersey Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #47 position. Based in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $24,085. Read more about New Jersey Institute Of Technology
University Of California Irvine landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. University Of California Irvine is a public school based in Irvine, CA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Graduates carry a median of $19,700 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
Washington State University placed #49 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $22,450. More on Washington State University
University Of Iowa came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on University Of Iowa
Related Civil Engineering Rankings
Compare rankings at 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Civil Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Civil Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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).
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