The Best Training for
Civil Engineering in 2021
Civil engineering is a fascinating profession, but becoming a civil engineer will require dedication and good education. You will be responsible for designing, building, and maintaining major structures like bridges, dams, skyscrapers, and more. You need to attend the best school for civil engineering to get started.
There are many different learning options for civil engineers in the United States. You can attend a community college for an associate degree or go for a regular bachelor’s degree. Most employers prefer to hire engineers with bachelor’s degrees, and some might expect an advanced master’s degree.
Rundown: The Top 10 Civil Engineering Programs in 2021
Where can you find the best civil engineering schools and programs in the United States? Take a look at the table below to learn the basics. All the details below have been sourced from the official website of each school. However, tuition prices may be subject to change.
School | State | Programs and Cost | Certifications |
---|---|---|---|
Carnegie Mellon University | PA | Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering $27,679 per year Bachelor and Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering $27,679 per year Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering $696 per unit PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering $696 per unit |
None |
Cornell University | NY | Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering $60,286 per year Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering $58,586 per year Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering $58,586 per year Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science in Civil Engineering $29,500 per year |
None |
Columbia University | NY | Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering $1,896 per credit Master of Science in Civil Engineering $2,196 per credit PhD in Civil Engineering $2,196 per credit |
None |
Georgia Institute of Technology | GA | Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering $10,258 per year (in-state) $31,370 per year (out-of-state) Bachelor and Master of Science in Civil Engineering $10,258 per year (in-state) $31,370 per year (out-of-state) Master of Science in Civil Engineering $19,126 per year |
None |
Harvard University | MA | Master of Science and Master of Business Administration in Engineering Sciences $50,928 per year PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering $50,928 per year |
None |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MA | Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering $27,725 per year Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science $27,725 per year Master of Science in Transportation $26,725 per year |
None |
Princeton University | NJ | Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering $56,010 per year Master of Science in Civil Engineering $56,470 per year Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering $56,470 per year PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering $56,470 per year |
None |
Stanford University | CA | Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering $18,491 per year Master of Science in Civil Engineering $1,286 per unit PhD in Civil Engineering $1,286 per unit |
None |
University of California, Berkeley |
CA | Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering $14,312 per year (in-state) $44,008 (out-of-state) Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering $14,312 per year (in-state) $44,008 (out-of-state) PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering $14,312 per year (in-state) $44,008 (out-of-state) |
None |
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth | MA | Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering $14,408 per year (in-state) $30,153 per year (out-of-state) Bachelor and Master of Science in Civil Engineering $14,408 per year (in-state) $30,153 per year (out-of-state) |
None |
How to Pick the Best Civil Engineering School for You
Not every post-secondary institution has an excellent civil engineering program. So, you need to be careful when you’re choosing the best school to get your degree in civil engineering. Weighing everything will help you make the right choice.
Accreditation
In the US, higher institutions that award degrees and certificates must be accredited by a federal or recognized third-party organization. Apart from the regular regional accreditation, make sure that the engineering program is ABET-accredited. This means that it has been approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
Curriculum
Make sure your preferred school has a good civil engineering curriculum. It should cover building planning, concrete technology, estimation analysis, cost analysis, project management, and heavy construction. This can make sure you’re prepared to enter the field once you graduate.
Reputation
Reputation counts when it comes to engineering degrees. For example, a graduate from MIT or Stanford will receive more attention from prospective employers than someone from an unknown college. These schools also often partner with reputable companies for student internship and employment opportunities.
The Best Civil Engineering Schools of 2021
For more details about what the best civil engineering schools offer, check out the list below. It includes curriculum information, available programs, accreditation, and more. Some schools also include resources for engineering graduates.
Carnegie Mellon University
Programs
BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering, BS and MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering, MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering, PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Online Options
None available
This university has a global reputation because of its science, technology, and engineering programs. In each civil engineering degree option, you will learn electrical, mechanical, and even chemical engineering at different levels. Carnegie Mellon is a good choice if you want to get both your bachelor’s and master’s in this topic because of its integrated program.
Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering Curriculum
Environmental engineering
Structural design
Project management
Construction
School 1Cornell University
Programs
BS in Civil Engineering, ME in Civil Engineering, ME in Environmental Engineering, PhD and MS in Civil Engineering
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Online Options
None available
The civil engineering program at Cornell University follows a world-class curriculum at all levels of education. Beyond teaching technical aspects of civil engineering, it gives you business lessons that make it easier for you to establish your career afterward. You will learn the basics of civil engineering like water resources and modern topics like smart cities.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Curriculum
Environmental fluid mechanics
Earthquake engineering
Structural dynamics
Statics and mechanics of solids
Columbia University
Programs
BS in Civil Engineering, MS in Civil Engineering, PhD in Civil Engineering
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Online Options
Individual courses
The civil engineering and environment program at Columbia University can teach you everything you need, irrespective of your aspiration. Apart from the regular degree programs, the school also offers stand-alone courses for people who want to learn specific areas of civil engineering without enrolling fully.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Curriculum
Water treatment
Structural design
Hydrosystems engineering
Transportation engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Programs
BS in Civil Engineering, BS and MS in Civil Engineering, MS in Civil Engineering
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Online Options
None available
Georgia Tech, one of the top-ranked public research institutes in Georgia, is another reputable school. The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering is part of Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering. This school is unique because you can opt for a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree, which takes only one extra year.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Curriculum
Infrastructure systems
Construction engineering
Geosystems engineering
Transportation systems engineering
Harvard University
Programs
MS and MBA in Engineering Sciences, PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering
Accreditation
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
Online Options
Individual courses
Although it can be a hard school to get into, Harvard University is a great choice for engineering. The engineering sciences school ranks highly among US universities. It covers environmental science, material science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. You can get a joint MS and MBA in Engineering Sciences.
MS and MBA in Engineering Sciences Curriculum
Water treatment
Energy systems
Energy resources
Geophysics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Programs
BS in Civil Engineering, BS in Environmental Science, MS in Transportation
Accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
Online Options
None available
MIT is arguably the best school for all types of engineering in the US, including civil and environmental engineering. After getting admitted, students will get the knowledge they need through theory and practicals combined. In addition, there are internship opportunities in reputable firms waiting for you when the time is right.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Curriculum
Computers and engineering problem solving
Ecology
Earth systems
Soil mechanics
Princeton University
Programs
BS in Civil Engineering, MS in Civil Engineering, ME in Civil Engineering, PhD in Civil Engineering and Environmental Science
Accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Online Options
Individual courses
Princeton University is known for its civil engineering graduate programs. Students with undergraduate degrees in STEM disciplines who have exceptional cumulative GPA and transcript can apply for the PhD Fellowship. Princeton University will offer financial support for at least one year of the fellowship.
Master of Science in Civil Engineering Curriculum
Earthquake engineering
Structural dynamics
Environmental engineering
Surface and atmospheric processes
Large-scale structures
Stanford University
Programs
BS in Civil Engineering, MS in Civil Engineering, PhD in Civil Engineering
Accreditation
Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges
Online Options
None available
Stanford has been around since 1885, and it is one of the best private research institutes in the world. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate studies. Students may choose from architectural design, environmental systems engineering, and civil engineering proper.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Curriculum
Geotechnical engineering
Solid mechanics
Environmental science
Environmental technology
University of California, Berkeley
Programs
BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering, ME in Structural Engineering, PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Online Options
None available
The Civil and Environmental Engineering and Environmental Sciences departments at UC Berkeley are as good as they come. All students have an opportunity to participate in research at every level. Apart from all the practicals and hands-on learning, graduates from UC Berkeley have a high chance of getting employed in the Bay Area.
Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering Curriculum
Computer programming for engineers
Foundation design
Transportation systems
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Programs
BS in Civil Engineering, BS and MS in Civil Engineering
Accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
Online Options
None available
The civil engineering department at UMassD is designed to prepare students for future careers in construction management, structural engineering, water resources, environmental engineering, and geotechnical engineering. You can also select a minor in civil engineering if you want to focus on a different topic.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Curriculum
Carpentry
Construction technology
Workplace communications
How Much Can You Earn as a Civil Engineer?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a civil engineer is $78,472 per year. ZipRecruiter also reports that engineers in California earn more than those in other parts of the United States, and some job titles attract higher pay than others.
Below are the highest-paying job titles for engineers in the United States.
The Highest-Paying Civil Engineer Roles
Role | Required Education | Average Salary |
---|---|---|
Civil Infrastructure Engineer | Bachelor’s degree | $109,805 |
Civil Engineer Architect | Bachelor’s degree | $108,931 |
Civil Engineering Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $105,591 |
Civil Engineer Project Manager | Bachelor’s degree | $88,486 |
Civil Engineering Designer | Bachelor’s degree | $69,384 |
Why You Should Be a Civil Engineer in 2021
You should become a civil engineer in 2021 if you want to help build the world around you. You will be at the forefront of infrastructural development in society, and you will make a good living for yourself along the way.
However, it is essential to note that the demand for civil engineering jobs will rise by only two percent between 2019 and 2029. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this represents two percent below the national average for other occupations.
Despite the low job projection for civil engineering, you should still pursue this career. The projected two percent translates to a total of 334,700 jobs by 2029. So, there is still a good chance that you can launch and maintain a fulfilling career in civil engineering.