Best Civil Engineering colleges in the U.S. 2026
Have you ever wondered who builds storm drains and sidewalks, or have you ever been fascinated by the grand structure of a bridge? The artists responsible for the structures in our every day life are those who earn their degree in civil engineering, of course! Civil engineering professionals are responsible for the engineering and construction of public infrastructure, such as, roads, buildings, tunnels, airports, dams, bridges, and water supply systems.
A degree in civil engineering requires strong math,physics, and chemistry skills. The degree can often be interdisciplinary depending on one’s career goals. Along with the foundational coursework of mathematical and computational methods, students can take classes in urban planning, computer science or environmental science. Many schools also offer programs strictly in civil engineering. Once a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering is completed, students can go on to receive a master’s degree in civil engineering or in another related discipline. After receiving a bachelor’s degree, students can work in careers such as construction managers, environmental engineers, transportation engineers, or structural engineers. This degree also prepares students for the licensure that is required for anyone who provides engineering services to the public.
Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the USBest Civil Engineering colleges in the U.S. for 2026
Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers 3 Civil Engineering, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 34 Civil Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 26 Master's degrees, 4 Bachelor's degrees, and 4 Doctoral degrees.
Duke University offers 3 Civil Engineering, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 32 Civil Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 14 Bachelor's degrees, 12 Doctoral degrees, and 6 Master's degrees.
Cornell University offers 3 Civil Engineering, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 79 Civil Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 39 Master's degrees, 33 Bachelor's degrees, and 7 Doctoral degrees.
Stanford University offers 4 Civil Engineering, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 215 Civil Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 176 Master's degrees, 28 Doctoral degrees, 9 Bachelor's degrees, and 2 Certificates.
Johns Hopkins University offers 5 Civil Engineering, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 53 Civil Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 35 Master's degrees, 13 Doctoral degrees, 4 Bachelor's degrees, and 1 Certificate.
University of California-Berkeley offers 3 Civil Engineering, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 358 Civil Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 208 Master's degrees, 112 Bachelor's degrees, and 38 Doctoral degrees.
Northwestern University offers 3 Civil Engineering, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 79 Civil Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 40 Master's degrees, 21 Bachelor's degrees, and 18 Doctoral degrees.
Columbia University in the City of New York offers 4 Civil Engineering, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 146 Civil Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 115 Master's degrees, 18 Bachelor's degrees, 8 Certificates, and 5 Doctoral degrees.
Carnegie Mellon University offers 4 Civil Engineering, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 77 Civil Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 45 Master's degrees, 21 Bachelor's degrees, and 11 Doctoral degrees.
University of Notre Dame offers 3 Civil Engineering, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 61 Civil Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 43 Bachelor's degrees, 14 Doctoral degrees, and 4 Master's degrees.
Find local colleges with Civil Engineering majors in the U.S.
What is Civil Engineering?
Many would say that civil engineering is responsible for how our civilization was created and continues to evolve. You might see a civil engineer overseeing large construction projects and using devices such as traffic counters, tape measures, and distance meters.
Civil engineers plan, design, construct, maintain, and supervise significant infrastructure, such as:
- Bridges
- Roads
- Subways
- High-rise buildings
- Dams
- Highways
- Railroads
However, there are also many different subtypes of engineering, such as:
- Environmental
- Management
- Geotechnical
- Administrative
- Aerospace
- Computer hardware
- Materials
- Biomedical
- Agriculture
- Health and Safety
- Geological
- Marine
- Nuclear
- Genetic
- Biomolecular
List of all Civil Engineering colleges in the U.S.
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA | 9 : 1 | 11,886 | |
|
Duke University Durham, NC | 11 : 1 | 17,499 | |
|
Cornell University Ithaca, NY | 13 : 1 | 26,793 | |
|
Stanford University Stanford, CA | 12 : 1 | 18,625 | |
|
Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | 20 : 1 | 30,210 | |