Best Civil Engineering colleges in the U.S.

Civil engineering is an engineering specialization that focuses on the design, development, and maintenance of vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges, pipelines, and sewage systems. Not only one of the oldest engineering disciplines, civil engineering is also one of the most popular engineering areas for STEM students.

While civil engineers are consistently in demand—the career is projected to grow by 7% over the next decade—recent headlines made it clear that civil engineers will be hard at work for the foreseeable future. In November 2021, President Joe Biden signed a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill into law, allocating billions for local and state governments to update aging infrastructure.

Throughout this page, we'll spotlight some of the best civil engineering schools in the country. In addition to standout schools, we'll look at what you can expect as you apply, enroll, and complete a civil engineering degree. Keep reading to see what the best civil engineering programs can do for you.

Whether online or on-campus, a civil engineering degree takes an interdisciplinary approach where you'll learn to apply various STEM topics to real-world infrastructure challenges. Students lean into essential topics in computer science, physics, materials sciences, mathematics, and engineering mechanics. In addition to STEM-heavy coursework, civil engineering degree-seekers also tackle project management, transportation systems, statistics, and engineering communication classes.

Civil engineering students can anticipate a 120-130 credit curriculum that typically takes about four years for full-time students to complete. Throughout an undergraduate program, you'll have the chance to focus your studies on specialization areas like water resources, structural, and transportation engineering. 

Types of Civil Engineering Classes

When reviewing prospective civil engineering programs, you'll notice that academic requirements can differ depending on your chosen school. That said, there are some standard classes that you can expect to encounter. We spotlight some typical civil engineering classes below.

• Civil Engineering Systems
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Elementary Mechanics of Fluids
• Elements of Hydraulic Engineering
• Project Management and Economics
• Transportation Systems
• Introduction to Environmental Engineering
• Engineering Materials
• Computer-Aided Design
• Engineering Physics
• Engineering Professionalism
• Engineering Communication

Skills Learned in a Civil Engineering Major

Civil engineering graduates do more than simply hone a unique set of skills that prepare them for their careers. Throughout their academic program, civil engineering grads lay the groundwork for jobs that involve the seriousness of public safety. We highlight some common skills learned in a civil engineering program listed below.

• Mathematics
• Project Management
• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Technical Training
• Organizational Skills

How Long Does it Take to Get a Civil Engineering Degree?

The time it takes to earn your civil engineering degree can vary dramatically and depends on multiple factors. We mentioned before that full-time students can complete a bachelor's degree in about four years, but if you're a part-time degree-seeker, it could take much longer. Additionally, students enrolling with an associate degree or prior undergraduate coursework can graduate before first-time civil engineering freshmen. 

Students pursuing online programs often have the chance to complete their academic requirements faster than campus-based students. Alongside shorter terms, online programs typically offer classes year-round, and some make available accelerated curricula. 

Civil Engineering Degree Specializations

Similar to engineering as a whole, civil engineering is a broad field that encompasses multiple specialization areas. Keep reading as we highlight some popular civil engineering degree specializations.

• Construction Engineering

This civil engineering specialization deals with everything from the design to the management of various infrastructure construction projects. Students gain experience in construction methods, budgets, and employee management. 

• Environmental Engineering

This subfield of civil engineering is an interdisciplinary specialization that touches on topics like biology, ecology, hydrology, and mathematics. Utilizing engineering and scientific principles, environmental engineers concern themselves with topics like wastewater management, water pollution, and municipal water supplies.

• Geotechnical Engineering

This field deals with how soil impacts the construction of everything from housing to energy infrastructure. Geotechnical engineering introduces topics such as soil mechanics, geology, geophysics, and hydrogeology. 

• Structural Engineering

This specialization involves the design, assessment, and maintenance of structures ranging from buildings to bridges. Students gain extensive knowledge of physics, materials science, as well as various legal issues.

• Transportation Engineering

This branch of civil engineering encompasses the creation, construction, operation, and maintenance of various transportation systems. Graduates work to enhance the safety and efficiency of everything from railways to highways to oil pipelines and traffic control systems.

• Water Resources Engineering

Water resources engineering challenges students to gain expertise in the theoretical and practical concepts and methods involving the techniques and facilities used to transport, manage, and preserve water.

How To Get Into The Top Civil Engineering Colleges

There's no one way to prepare yourself to gain admission into the top civil engineering colleges. That said, there are some common things you'll want to consider. From earning a high school degree to excelling in STEM coursework, read on to learn how to prepare for your civil engineering program.

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED
2. Beef up your resume with work and volunteer experiences
3. Focus your high school curriculum on STEM coursework
4. Take college-prep STEM classes
5. Earn top grades in STEM classes
6. Search for schools that mirror your academic and career goals

Admissions Requirements for Civil Engineering Degree Programs

Although admission requirements vary between schools, you'll inevitably notice some similarities as you prepare to submit applications. We've highlighted some common application requirements to help prepare you for the admissions process.

• Online applications
• Official Transcripts
• GPA
• Letters of Recommendation
• Standardized Test Scores
• Personal Statement
• Resume

Just as you can jump into multiple civil engineering specializations, a degree in this field can prepare you for a long list of careers. Whether you want to be an environmental, construction, or transportation engineer, a civil engineering degree supplies you with the theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and leadership qualities that the field demands. Keep reading to learn more about this varied and growing field.

Civil Engineering Salary and Career Information

How much you earn as a civil engineer depends on multiple factors, including experience, degree level, specialization, and even geographic location. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), civil engineers earn a median annual salary of $88,050. Additionally, BLS offers a broad range of compensation, with the bottom 10% earning less than $60,550 and top-earners raking in more than $133,320. 

This salary variance is further complicated when you review salary numbers for civil engineering specializations. Both construction managers and environmental engineers earn about $100,000, with top earners making more than $153,000 annually.

When reviewing BLS data, you'll also notice that job growth numbers vary between civil engineering specializations. Environmental engineers can anticipate 3,400 job openings each year, while civil engineers can expect over 24,000 openings annually.

Civil Engineering Career Paths

From civil engineering techs to environmental engineers, the job numbers for civil engineering professionals vary. See how much you can earn with different civil engineering careers.

Just as you can jump into multiple civil engineering specializations, a degree in this field can prepare you for a long list of careers. Whether you want to be an environmental, construction, or transportation engineer, a civil engineering degree supplies you with the theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and leadership qualities that the field demands. Keep reading to learn more about this varied and growing field.

Civil Engineering Salary and Career Information

How much you earn as a civil engineer depends on multiple factors, including experience, degree level, specialization, and even geographic location. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), civil engineers earn a median annual salary of $88,050. Additionally, BLS offers a broad range of compensation, with the bottom 10% earning less than $60,550 and top-earners raking in more than $133,320. 

This salary variance is further complicated when you review salary numbers for civil engineering specializations. Both construction managers and environmental engineers earn about $100,000, with top earners making more than $153,000 annually.

When reviewing BLS data, you'll also notice that job growth numbers vary between civil engineering specializations. Environmental engineers can anticipate 3,400 job openings each year, while civil engineers can expect over 24,000 openings annually.

Civil Engineering Career Paths

From civil engineering techs to environmental engineers, the job numbers for civil engineering professionals vary. See how much you can earn with different civil engineering careers. 

Is civil engineering a good major?

For students with a knack for STEM coursework, a civil engineering degree is a great option. Civil engineers tackle an interdisciplinary curriculum that leans heavily on math, science, and engineering topics. Graduates can expect to enter a perpetually growing career field.

What do you learn in a civil engineering program?

Civil engineering students take a heavy course load of STEM classes. In addition to core civil engineering classes, students can often choose from specializations like construction, environmental, structural, and transportation engineering.

How long does it take to complete a civil engineering degree?

The time it takes to complete your civil engineering degree isn't set in stone. Full-time degree-seekers can graduate in as little as four years, while part-time students take longer. Additionally, online students sometimes have access to accelerated programs.

Does civil engineering pay well?

Like other engineering disciplines, civil engineering can provide graduates with  higher-than-average salaries. Experienced professionals with advanced degrees and those in leadership roles tend to make the most.

Is civil engineering hard?

For prospective students who find math and science classes especially challenging, a civil engineering degree might not be a good fit. Conversely, students who thrive in STEM courses will feel right at home when digging into civil engineering coursework.