Civil Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Civil engineering is a foundational discipline focused on the design, construction, and maintenance of the built and natural environments that support modern society. It integrates advanced mathematics, physical sciences, and engineering principles to solve complex challenges related to infrastructure, sustainability, and public safety.
- Structural Engineering: The analysis and design of load-bearing systems such as buildings, bridges, and towers to ensure stability, strength, and durability under various forces.
- Transportation Systems: Planning, design, and management of roadways, railways, airports, and transit networks to optimize mobility, safety, and efficiency.
- Water Resources Engineering: The study and application of hydrology, hydraulics, and fluid dynamics to manage water supply, flood control, drainage, and irrigation systems.
- Geotechnical Engineering: Investigation of soil and rock behavior to support foundation design, earth retention structures, and slope stability assessments.
- Construction Engineering: Application of engineering and management principles to the planning, execution, and oversight of construction projects, emphasizing cost, time, and quality control.
- Environmental Engineering: Integration of engineering practices with environmental science to develop systems that protect ecosystems, ensure clean water, and manage waste and pollution.
- Materials Engineering: Evaluation and selection of construction materials—such as concrete, steel, and composites—based on performance, durability, and sustainability criteria.
- Systems Integration and Safety: Assessment of operational performance and risk mitigation across infrastructure networks to enhance resilience and long-term safety standards.
Civil Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Civil Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Civil Engineering degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary and Civil Engineers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 605,660 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | $167,740 | $111,450 - $239,200 | 210,340 | $80.64 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032 | $106,120 | $59,790 - $200,650 | 39,910 | N/A |
| Civil Engineers 17-2051 | $99,590 | $65,920 - $160,990 | 355,410 | $47.88 |
Civil Engineering Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $105,927 in Arkansas to $149,800 in California—a 41% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New Mexico, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 605,660 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Civil Engineering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Civil Engineering programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Civil Engineering is found at University of California (UCB), Berkeley (358 graduates), Texas A & M University, College Station (358 graduates), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (340 graduates), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (327 graduates), and Purdue University (PU), Main Campus (314 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 13,586 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
358 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
358 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
340 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
327 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
314 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (CPP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
285 | Pomona, California | Public | cpp.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
279 | Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
259 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | njit.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
232 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
217 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
215 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
199 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
198 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Clemson University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
192 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
183 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
179 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
178 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
178 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
169 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
169 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
168 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
168 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
168 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
167 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
166 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
160 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
160 | Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
155 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
153 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
150 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
148 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
148 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
147 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
146 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
142 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
137 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| University of New Haven (UNH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
136 | West Haven, Connecticut | Private | newhaven.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
132 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
132 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
131 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
130 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
129 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
127 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
126 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
126 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
123 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
117 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
113 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
113 | Edinburg, Texas | Public | utrgv.edu |
| California State University (CSUF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
112 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullerton.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
112 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
112 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
111 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| George Mason University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
109 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| Manhattan College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
108 | Riverdale, New York | Private | manhattan.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
107 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Colorado School of Mines |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
105 | Golden, Colorado | Public | mines.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
105 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
104 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
104 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
102 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
100 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
100 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
98 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
98 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
98 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
98 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
97 | Los Angeles, California | Public | calstatela.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
97 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
96 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
94 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
93 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
93 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
92 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
91 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
91 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
89 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Bachelor's
|
88 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
88 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
87 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
85 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
83 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
83 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Villanova University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
82 | Villanova, Pennsylvania | Private | villanova.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
81 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
81 | Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
81 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
79 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| Cornell University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
79 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
78 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
77 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Cleveland State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
77 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | csuohio.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
77 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
76 | Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
75 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
75 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville |
Bachelor's
|
75 | Platteville, Wisconsin | Public | uwplatt.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
72 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| Southern Illinois University (SIUE) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
72 | Edwardsville, Illinois | Public | siue.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
72 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Civil Engineering programs
How much can I earn with a Civil Engineering degree?
Salaries for Civil Engineering graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $106,120. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $149,800 compared to $105,927 in Arkansas. Approximately 605,660 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Civil Engineering programs?
Currently 305 accredited institutions offer Civil Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCB), Berkeley (358 graduates), Texas A & M University, College Station (358 graduates), and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (340 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Civil Engineering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 15,992 in 2010 to a peak of 20,912 in 2020, before declining slightly to 19,293 in 2023-24. This represents a 21% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Civil Engineering degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, and Civil Engineers. Related occupations employ approximately 605,660 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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