2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Civil Engineering graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 334 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Civil Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Villanova University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Civil Engineering graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $100,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants. More on Villanova University
You'll get strong value at Lawrence Technological University, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Southfield, MI, Lawrence Technological University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,760. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $30,197. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $69,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%. Read the full report on Lawrence Technological University
Out of the 334 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Loyola Marymount University landed the #3 spot. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Loyola Marymount University alumni report median earnings of $78,349 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Loyola Marymount University has an acceptance rate of 45%. More on Loyola Marymount University
You'll get strong value at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Houghton, MI. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Michigan Technological University alumni report median earnings of $78,198 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Michigan Technological University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,957. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,765. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $103,470 ten years out. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%. Read the full report on Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Iowa State University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical Civil Engineering student debt is $25,250. Iowa State University alumni report median earnings of $63,386 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read the full report on Iowa State University
University Of Florida came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,121 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,588. That is a strong return on a $20,121 median debt. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Florida report
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $25,480 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $60,543 ten years out. Set against $25,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
George Washington University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $90,873 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 47% of those who apply are admitted. See the full George Washington University profile
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Located in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $24,085. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $84,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Jersey Institute Of Technology has an acceptance rate of 65%. See the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology profile
Clarkson University offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Clarkson University is a private not-for-profit school based in Potsdam, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $59,398. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Clarkson University alumni report median earnings of $89,696 a decade after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Clarkson University
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Columbia, SC, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants. More on University Of South Carolina Columbia
Stevens Institute Of Technology came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hoboken, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,462. Stevens Institute Of Technology Civil Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $108,772. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 48% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Stevens Institute Of Technology profile
University Of Central Florida ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering schools. This public school is set in Orlando, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,374 to complete their Civil Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,308. That is a strong return on a $21,374 median debt. About 40% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Central Florida
Stanford University landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Stanford University Civil Engineering students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Median earnings reach $124,080 ten years out. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. More on Stanford University
University At Buffalo landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. University At Buffalo is a public school based in Buffalo, NY. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. University At Buffalo Civil Engineering students take on a median of $22,913 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $70,814 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,913 median debt. About 74% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University At Buffalo profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering schools. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $102,491 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York has an acceptance rate of 4%. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Louisville placed #19 among the best-value Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. The median Civil Engineering program debt is $24,503. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,899 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,503 median debt. About 79% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Louisville
University Of Dayton offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Get the full University Of Dayton report
Kings College
Kings College landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Kings College
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana placed #22 among the best-value Civil Engineering schools in the United States. More on Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana
Tennessee Technological University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering schools. Read the full report on Tennessee Technological University
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #24 among the best-value Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Duluth
Valparaiso University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Read the full report on Valparaiso University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Civil Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Marquette University placed #26 among the best-value Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full Marquette University report
Ohio Northern University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. More on Ohio Northern University
Rogue Community College landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Rogue Community College
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
West Virginia University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on West Virginia University
Alabama A And M University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering schools. See the full Alabama A And M University profile
Cleveland State University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on Cleveland State University
Roger Williams University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering schools. Read the full report on Roger Williams University
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Read more about The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
West Texas A And M University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering schools. More on West Texas A And M University
Tennessee State University landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Tennessee State University
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #37 among the best-value Civil Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
University Of Kentucky placed #38 among the best-value Civil Engineering schools in the United States. See the full University Of Kentucky profile
Florida Institute Of Technology ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering schools. See the full Florida Institute Of Technology profile
Lehigh University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering schools. Read more about Lehigh University
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering schools. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Front Range Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Get the full Front Range Community College report
Texas State University San Marcos offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read more about Texas State University San Marcos
Austin Community College District offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full Austin Community College District report
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #46 among the best-value Civil Engineering schools in the United States. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
William Penn University came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. More on William Penn University
University Of Alaska Fairbanks landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Alaska Fairbanks
University Of California Merced landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of California Merced
University Of Vermont ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering schools. Read more about University Of Vermont
Related Civil Engineering Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Civil Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Civil Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Civil Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Civil Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Civil Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Civil Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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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