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

How to Pick the Best Civil Engineering School for You

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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?

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.

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