Civil Engineering: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 238 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Positive payoff
+$142,898 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
This is a positive modeled result. Price, time to finish and future earnings can still change the outcome.
6.4 yrsModeled economic break-even
+55%Modeled 10-year ROI
$85,076Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$85,076Median reported earnings · year 4
$86,621Average reported earnings · year 5
$24,667Median federal debt
83thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
238Reporting programs
234With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $70,850
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $85,076
- Federal debt
- $24,667
- Reporting programs
- 238
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $96,805
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 82
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$81,065National median$85,07675th percentile$89,653
234 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1University of California, Berkeley$108,5482The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art$108,4663Columbia University in the City of New York$108,2464University of Southern California$106,3085Santa Clara University$105,5946Carnegie Mellon University$105,1997Loyola Marymount University$103,2238California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo$101,0729George Washington University$100,99010Northeastern University$100,613Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Architectural and Engineering ManagersSOC 11-9041 · 6 crosswalk linksCivil EngineersSOC 17-2051 · 6 crosswalk linksEngineering Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1032 · 6 crosswalk linksEngineers, All OtherSOC 17-2199 · 2 crosswalk linksEnvironmental EngineersSOC 17-2081 · 2 crosswalk linksMining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety EngineersSOC 17-2151 · 1 crosswalk linksPetroleum EngineersSOC 17-2171 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California, BerkeleyBachelor's Degree | Berkeley, CA | $108,548 | $14,392 | +172% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and ArtBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $108,466 | Not available | +172% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | Columbia University in the City of New YorkBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $108,246 | Not available | +137% | Strong payoff |
| 4 | University of Southern CaliforniaBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $106,308 | $8,125 | +97% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | Santa Clara UniversityBachelor's Degree | Santa Clara, CA | $105,594 | Not available | +59% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityBachelor's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $105,199 | Not available | +96% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | Loyola Marymount UniversityBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $103,223 | $27,000 | +56% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoBachelor's Degree | San Luis Obispo, CA | $101,072 | $20,424 | +127% | Strong payoff |
| 9 | George Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $100,990 | Not available | +72% | Positive payoff |
| 10 | Northeastern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $100,613 | $24,750 | +83% | Positive payoff |
| 11 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaBachelor's Degree | Pomona, CA | $97,790 | $16,500 | +133% | Strong payoff |
| 12 | California State University, NorthridgeBachelor's Degree | Northridge, CA | $97,123 | $18,732 | +150% | Strong payoff |
| 13 | University of California, Los AngelesBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $97,092 | $19,444 | +126% | Strong payoff |
| 14 | University of California, IrvineBachelor's Degree | Irvine, CA | $96,354 | $19,700 | +117% | Strong payoff |
| 15 | University of California, DavisBachelor's Degree | Davis, CA | $95,939 | $16,101 | +113% | Strong payoff |
| 16 | Manhattan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Riverdale, NY | $95,877 | $27,000 | +76% | Positive payoff |
| 17 | San Diego State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Diego, CA | $95,865 | $19,832 | +111% | Strong payoff |
| 18 | California State University, FullertonBachelor's Degree | Fullerton, CA | $95,854 | $13,548 | +147% | Strong payoff |
| 19 | Bucknell UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lewisburg, PA | $95,693 | $27,000 | +48% | Positive payoff |
| 20 | The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $95,271 | $21,030 | +94% | Positive payoff |
| 21 | University of Colorado BoulderBachelor's Degree | Boulder, CO | $94,960 | $20,500 | +78% | Positive payoff |
| 22 | New York UniversityBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $94,867 | $21,905 | +52% | Positive payoff |
| 23 | California State University, Los AngelesBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $94,760 | $18,767 | +154% | Strong payoff |
| 24 | Colorado School of MinesBachelor's Degree | Golden, CO | $94,228 | $25,000 | +67% | Positive payoff |
| 25 | The College of New JerseyBachelor's Degree | Ewing, NJ | $93,977 | $26,500 | +69% | Positive payoff |
| 26 | California State University, SacramentoBachelor's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $93,973 | $19,124 | +125% | Strong payoff |
| 27 | George Mason UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fairfax, VA | $93,856 | $23,812 | +94% | Positive payoff |
| 28 | The Catholic University of AmericaBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $93,821 | $24,750 | +64% | Positive payoff |
| 29 | Worcester Polytechnic InstituteBachelor's Degree | Worcester, MA | $93,417 | $27,000 | +37% | Positive payoff |
| 30 | Wentworth Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $93,402 | $27,000 | +53% | Positive payoff |
| 31 | University of Maryland-College ParkBachelor's Degree | College Park, MD | $93,280 | $21,437 | +99% | Positive payoff |
| 32 | Stony Brook UniversityBachelor's Degree | Stony Brook, NY | $92,908 | $17,250 | +88% | Positive payoff |
| 33 | Milwaukee School of EngineeringBachelor's Degree | Milwaukee, WI | $92,809 | Not available | +77% | Positive payoff |
| 34 | Stevens Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Hoboken, NJ | $92,609 | $27,000 | +38% | Positive payoff |
| 35 | California State University, ChicoBachelor's Degree | Chico, CA | $92,472 | $21,583 | +100% | Positive payoff |
| 36 | Texas A&M University-College StationBachelor's Degree | College Station, TX | $92,433 | $19,500 | +79% | Positive payoff |
| 37 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $92,224 | $38,460 | +107% | Strong payoff |
| 38 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $92,010 | $14,874 | +99% | Positive payoff |
| 39 | University of Washington-Tacoma CampusBachelor's Degree | Tacoma, WA | $92,010 | $14,874 | +113% | Strong payoff |
| 40 | Washington State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Pullman, WA | $91,879 | $22,450 | +95% | Positive payoff |
| 41 | Lehigh UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bethlehem, PA | $91,856 | $27,000 | +43% | Positive payoff |
| 42 | University of California, San DiegoBachelor's Degree | La Jolla, CA | $91,745 | $16,400 | +103% | Strong payoff |
| 43 | University of Virginia-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Charlottesville, VA | $91,651 | $14,903 | +75% | Positive payoff |
| 44 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's Degree | Champaign, IL | $91,650 | $19,054 | +96% | Positive payoff |
| 45 | The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaBachelor's Degree | Chattanooga, TN | $91,615 | $20,747 | +97% | Positive payoff |
| 46 | University of ArizonaBachelor's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $91,602 | $18,500 | +89% | Positive payoff |
| 47 | Cornell UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ithaca, NY | $91,242 | $12,750 | +57% | Positive payoff |
| 48 | San Francisco State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $90,894 | $18,873 | +100% | Strong payoff |
| 49 | Purdue University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | West Lafayette, IN | $90,873 | $19,500 | +92% | Positive payoff |
| 50 | Merrimack CollegeBachelor's Degree | North Andover, MA | $90,714 | $27,000 | +38% | Positive payoff |
| 51 | Michigan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | East Lansing, MI | $90,650 | $27,000 | +76% | Positive payoff |
| 52 | University of the PacificBachelor's Degree | Stockton, CA | $90,510 | $27,000 | +62% | Positive payoff |
| 53 | University of Nevada-Las VegasBachelor's Degree | Las Vegas, NV | $90,474 | $22,763 | +105% | Strong payoff |
| 54 | California Baptist UniversityBachelor's Degree | Riverside, CA | $90,251 | $27,000 | +59% | Positive payoff |
| 55 | Roger Williams UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bristol, RI | $90,146 | Not available | +36% | Positive payoff |
| 56 | Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lubbock, TX | $89,969 | $27,000 | +75% | Positive payoff |
| 57 | Oregon State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Corvallis, OR | $89,822 | $25,000 | +73% | Positive payoff |
| 58 | Oregon State University-Cascades CampusBachelor's Degree | Bend, OR | $89,822 | $25,000 | +78% | Positive payoff |
| 59 | University of Cincinnati-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Cincinnati, OH | $89,653 | $24,500 | +58% | Positive payoff |
| 60 | University of HoustonBachelor's Degree | Houston, TX | $89,653 | $18,000 | +88% | Positive payoff |
| 61 | California State University, Long BeachBachelor's Degree | Long Beach, CA | $89,457 | $16,437 | +100% | Strong payoff |
| 62 | University of PortlandBachelor's Degree | Portland, OR | $89,448 | $23,250 | +52% | Positive payoff |
| 63 | Lamar UniversityBachelor's Degree | Beaumont, TX | $89,250 | Not available | +103% | Strong payoff |
| 64 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionBachelor's Degree | Tempe, AZ | $89,233 | $23,750 | +84% | Positive payoff |
| 65 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborBachelor's Degree | Ann Arbor, MI | $89,165 | $18,750 | +90% | Positive payoff |
| 66 | University of KansasBachelor's Degree | Lawrence, KS | $89,087 | $26,000 | +75% | Positive payoff |
| 67 | Syracuse UniversityBachelor's Degree | Syracuse, NY | $88,996 | $27,000 | +31% | Positive payoff |
| 68 | Tufts UniversityBachelor's Degree | Medford, MA | $88,924 | Not available | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 69 | Morgan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $88,870 | $26,500 | +83% | Positive payoff |
| 70 | Northern Arizona UniversityBachelor's Degree | Flagstaff, AZ | $88,184 | $28,000 | +82% | Positive payoff |
| 71 | Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Terre Haute, IN | $88,155 | $24,132 | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 72 | Marquette UniversityBachelor's Degree | Milwaukee, WI | $88,144 | $27,000 | +41% | Positive payoff |
| 73 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Blacksburg, VA | $88,142 | $25,760 | +54% | Positive payoff |
| 74 | The University of Texas at TylerBachelor's Degree | Tyler, TX | $88,102 | $22,670 | +85% | Positive payoff |
| 75 | University of Massachusetts-AmherstBachelor's Degree | Amherst, MA | $88,076 | $27,000 | +60% | Positive payoff |
| 76 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsBachelor's Degree | Fort Collins, CO | $88,001 | $25,480 | +62% | Positive payoff |
| 77 | CUNY City CollegeBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $87,957 | $17,500 | +120% | Strong payoff |
| 78 | Illinois Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $87,884 | $26,000 | +69% | Positive payoff |
| 79 | University of ConnecticutBachelor's Degree | Storrs, CT | $87,883 | $23,825 | +53% | Positive payoff |
| 80 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusBachelor's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $87,883 | $23,825 | +92% | Positive payoff |
| 81 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointBachelor's Degree | Groton, CT | $87,883 | $23,825 | +82% | Positive payoff |
| 82 | University of Connecticut-StamfordBachelor's Degree | Stamford, CT | $87,883 | $23,825 | +73% | Positive payoff |
| 83 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusBachelor's Degree | Hartford, CT | $87,883 | $23,825 | +75% | Positive payoff |
| 84 | University of North DakotaBachelor's Degree | Grand Forks, ND | $87,828 | $26,600 | +68% | Positive payoff |
| 85 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonBachelor's Degree | Madison, WI | $87,691 | $23,250 | +71% | Positive payoff |
| 86 | The University of AlabamaBachelor's Degree | Tuscaloosa, AL | $87,685 | $25,454 | +58% | Positive payoff |
| 87 | University of GeorgiaBachelor's Degree | Athens, GA | $87,684 | $26,744 | +81% | Positive payoff |
| 88 | California State University, FresnoBachelor's Degree | Fresno, CA | $87,627 | $15,267 | +105% | Strong payoff |
| 89 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickBachelor's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $87,557 | $26,291 | +53% | Positive payoff |
| 90 | New Jersey Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Newark, NJ | $87,389 | $24,085 | +72% | Positive payoff |
| 91 | Central Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | New Britain, CT | $87,366 | $31,000 | +71% | Positive payoff |
| 92 | University of Hawaii at ManoaBachelor's Degree | Honolulu, HI | $87,286 | $22,375 | +74% | Positive payoff |
| 93 | University of DelawareBachelor's Degree | Newark, DE | $87,015 | $25,500 | +67% | Positive payoff |
| 94 | Gonzaga UniversityBachelor's Degree | Spokane, WA | $86,942 | $25,000 | +31% | Positive payoff |
| 95 | Oklahoma State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Stillwater, OK | $86,890 | $23,250 | +68% | Positive payoff |
| 96 | The University of Texas at ArlingtonBachelor's Degree | Arlington, TX | $86,844 | $20,542 | +77% | Positive payoff |
| 97 | University of Alaska FairbanksBachelor's Degree | Fairbanks, AK | $86,819 | $13,750 | +87% | Positive payoff |
| 98 | University of Central FloridaBachelor's Degree | Orlando, FL | $86,803 | $21,374 | +89% | Positive payoff |
| 99 | Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteBachelor's Degree | Troy, NY | $86,794 | $26,979 | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 100 | Florida Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Melbourne, FL | $86,536 | $23,000 | +29% | Positive payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.