2026 Best Civil Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Civil Engineering master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 334 colleges 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.
So you can compare your options, 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Stanford University to be the best Civil Engineering school in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. Stanford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Stanford University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Get the full Stanford University report
The strong Civil Engineering programs at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based 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 run about $62,396. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Civil Engineering students take on a median of $13,516 in debt. Get the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology report
A rank of #3 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 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. See the full Northwestern University profile
You'll be in good company at Princeton University, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,688. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $10,888. Get the full Princeton University report
You'll be in good company at Rice University, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Rice University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $11,904 in debt. See the full Rice University profile
Duke University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about Duke University
Vanderbilt University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. 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 average $67,498. Vanderbilt University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. Read more about Vanderbilt University
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Terre Haute, IN. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology graduates 78% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $56,046 in tuition and fees. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $24,132. See the full Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #9 in this year's ranking. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $14,903. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Santa Clara University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,293. Santa Clara University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $20,144 in debt. Read more about Santa Clara University
Villanova University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit school based in Villanova, PA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $27,000. Read more about Villanova University
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #12 position. 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. University Of Southern California Civil Engineering students take on a median of $8,125 in debt. Get the full University Of Southern California report
Cornell University placed #13 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $12,750. Read more about Cornell University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $25,000. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #15 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. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $20,424 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of California San Diego placed #16 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $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
Johns Hopkins University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
University Of Notre Dame came in at #18 in this year's ranking. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. University Of Notre Dame Civil Engineering students take on a median of $20,100 in debt. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
University Of California Berkeley placed #19 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Based 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,392 in student loans. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Manhattan College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Riverdale, NY. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $53,400 in tuition and fees. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $27,000. See the full Manhattan College profile
Loyola Marymount University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Loyola Marymount University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $23,258. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. 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
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $14,874. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $21,030. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Rest of the Top 50 Best Civil Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Dayton landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Based in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $26,500. Read more about University Of Dayton
Carnegie Mellon University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #28 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $25,760 in student loans. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Graduates carry a median of $22,957 in student loans. See the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus profile
New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #30 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Students borrow a median of $24,085 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about New Jersey Institute Of Technology
San Jose State University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in San Jose, CA. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. See the full San Jose State University profile
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. 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. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $19,444. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 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. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Lehigh University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read more about Lehigh University
Tufts University did well this year, earning the #35 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $17,074. See the full Tufts University profile
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #36 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Civil Engineering students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. See the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln profile
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Located 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%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Marquette University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Marquette University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. 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
Lawrence Technological University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Set in Southfield, MI, Lawrence Technological University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lawrence Technological University graduates 60% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,760. Graduates carry a median of $30,197 in student loans. More on Lawrence Technological University
University Of California Davis ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Civil Engineering schools. This public school is set in Davis, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $16,101. Get the full University Of California Davis report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #41 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. 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, 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. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
Case Western Reserve University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, OH. About 87% of students finish within six years. 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. Read the full report on Case Western Reserve University
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Catholic University Of America placed #44 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Read more about Catholic University Of America
Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Located in Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Stevens Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Stevens Institute Of Technology Civil Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on Stevens Institute Of Technology
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Based 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. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland College Park Civil Engineering students take on a median of $21,437 in debt. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #47 among Civil Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Civil Engineering students take on a median of $22,103 in debt. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
University Of Florida landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $20,121 in student loans. See the full University Of Florida profile
Missouri University Of Science And Technology did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. Missouri University Of Science And Technology graduates 64% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Missouri University Of Science And Technology Civil Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology profile
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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Civil Engineering Graduate Certificate 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).
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