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 environment. It integrates scientific principles with practical application to develop infrastructure systems that support modern society, from transportation networks to water supply systems and resilient buildings. This program prepares students to address complex challenges in sustainability, safety, and urban development through innovative engineering solutions.
- Structural Analysis and Design: The study of how buildings, bridges, and other structures respond to forces like gravity, wind, and seismic activity, ensuring they remain safe and stable over time.
- Geotechnical Engineering: An examination of soil and rock behavior to support foundation design, slope stability, and underground construction projects.
- Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering: The planning and management of water systems, including stormwater runoff, flood control, irrigation, and potable water distribution.
- Transportation Engineering: The development of efficient, safe, and sustainable roadways, railways, airports, and transit systems to meet growing urban mobility demands.
- Construction Management: The coordination of resources, schedules, budgets, and safety protocols throughout the lifecycle of infrastructure projects.
- Sustainable Infrastructure: The application of environmentally responsible practices in material selection, energy efficiency, and lifecycle assessment to reduce the ecological footprint of built environments.
- Civil Engineering Materials: In-depth evaluation of concrete, steel, asphalt, and emerging composites to optimize performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness in real-world applications.
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 14 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 California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo (26 graduates), Western New England University (WNE) (26 graduates), Holmes Community College (24 graduates), University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (19 graduates), and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), Daytona Beach (18 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 173 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Master's
|
26 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| Western New England University (WNE) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | wne.edu |
| Holmes Community College |
Associate's
|
24 | Goodman, Mississippi | Public | holmescc.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | daytonabeach.erau.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Master's
|
18 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | wpi.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Master's
|
7 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Master's
|
4 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) |
Master's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | iit.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Master's
|
1 | Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.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 14 accredited institutions offer Civil Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo (26 graduates), Western New England University (WNE) (26 graduates), and Holmes Community College (24 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 163 in 2010 to 173 in 2023-24. This represents a 6% 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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