100 Best Civil Engineering schools in the United States

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Civil Engineering. A graph of 17.1M citations received by 470K academic papers made by 566 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Civil Engineering

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

2. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Civil Engineering

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,078

3. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Civil Engineering

#3 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Civil Engineering

#4 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Civil Engineering

#5 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1550
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,996

6. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Civil Engineering

#6 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 67%

7. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Civil Engineering

#7 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

8. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Civil Engineering

#9 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

9. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Civil Engineering

#10 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

10. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Civil Engineering

#11 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

11. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Civil Engineering

#12 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,361

12. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Civil Engineering

#14 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

13. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Civil Engineering

#15 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

14. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Civil Engineering

#16 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

15. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Civil Engineering

#17 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 73%

16. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Civil Engineering

#18 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

17. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Civil Engineering

#19 in North America

#35 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

18. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Civil Engineering

#20 in North America

#38 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

19. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Civil Engineering

#21 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

20. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Civil Engineering

#22 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $14,513
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $72,373

21. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Civil Engineering

#23 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

22. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Civil Engineering

#24 in North America

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

23. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Civil Engineering

#25 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

24. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Civil Engineering

#26 in North America

#52 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

25. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Civil Engineering

#27 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

26. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Civil Engineering

#28 in North America

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

27. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Civil Engineering

#29 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,172
Enrollment: 79,818

28. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Civil Engineering

#30 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

29. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Civil Engineering

#31 in North America

#66 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

30. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Civil Engineering

#32 in North America

#67 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 67%

31. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Civil Engineering

#35 in North America

#70 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

32. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Civil Engineering

#36 in North America

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $15,313

33. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Civil Engineering

#37 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 92%

34. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Civil Engineering

#38 in North America

#86 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,830

35. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Civil Engineering

#40 in North America

#91 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

36. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Civil Engineering

#42 in North America

#100 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

37. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Civil Engineering

#43 in North America

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

38. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Civil Engineering

#44 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

39. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Civil Engineering

#45 in North America

#109 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

40. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Civil Engineering

#46 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

41. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Texas | Houston

For Civil Engineering

#48 in North America

#119 in the World

Enrollment: 359
Male:Female: 22:78
Founded: 1941

42. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Civil Engineering

#49 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

43. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Civil Engineering

#50 in North America

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

44. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Civil Engineering

#51 in North America

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

45. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Civil Engineering

#52 in North America

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $35,552

46. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Civil Engineering

#53 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

47. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Civil Engineering

#54 in North America

#138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $10,160
Enrollment: 34,096

48. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Civil Engineering

#56 in North America

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

49. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Civil Engineering

#57 in North America

#149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 57%

50. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Civil Engineering

#58 in North America

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

51. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Civil Engineering

#59 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

52. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Civil Engineering

#60 in North America

#164 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $24,695
Enrollment: 26,133

53. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Civil Engineering

#61 in North America

#165 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,462

54. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Civil Engineering

#62 in North America

#166 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

55. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Civil Engineering

#63 in North America

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

56. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Civil Engineering

#64 in North America

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

57. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Civil Engineering

#66 in North America

#193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

58. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Civil Engineering

#67 in North America

#203 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

59. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Civil Engineering

#68 in North America

#205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

60. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Minnesota | Rochester

For Civil Engineering

#69 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Net Price: $12,328
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $2,018

61. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Civil Engineering

#71 in North America

#224 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1214
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

62. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Civil Engineering

#74 in North America

#228 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

63. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Civil Engineering

#76 in North America

#240 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Receiving Aid: 64%
Average Aid: $22,774
Enrollment: 19,938

64. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Civil Engineering

#77 in North America

#243 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 90%

65. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Civil Engineering

#78 in North America

#244 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,007
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1864

66. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Civil Engineering

#79 in North America

#246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

67. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For Civil Engineering

#80 in North America

#251 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,589

68. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Civil Engineering

#81 in North America

#252 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

69. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Civil Engineering

#82 in North America

#255 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

70. Clemson University

South Carolina | Clemson

For Civil Engineering

#83 in North America

#258 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

71. University of Nevada - Reno

Nevada | Reno

For Civil Engineering

#84 in North America

#259 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1175
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 95%

72. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Civil Engineering

#85 in North America

#268 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $45,397

73. Florida International University

Florida | Miami

For Civil Engineering

#86 in North America

#270 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

74. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

New York State | Troy

For Civil Engineering

#87 in North America

#272 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1443
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $38,887

75. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Civil Engineering

#90 in North America

#279 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

76. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Civil Engineering

#91 in North America

#285 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

77. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Civil Engineering

#92 in North America

#286 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

78. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Civil Engineering

#93 in North America

#287 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 89%

79. Auburn University

Alabama | Auburn

For Civil Engineering

#94 in North America

#295 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 85%

80. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Civil Engineering

#95 in North America

#299 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

81. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Civil Engineering

#96 in North America

#301 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

82. Lehigh University

Pennsylvania | Bethlehem

For Civil Engineering

#97 in North America

#303 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $34,154

83. Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri | Rolla

For Civil Engineering

#98 in North America

#304 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 99%

84. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Civil Engineering

#99 in North America

#305 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 99%

85. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Civil Engineering

#100 in North America

#312 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,186

86. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Civil Engineering

#101 in North America

#317 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 94%

87. San Diego State University

California | San Diego

For Civil Engineering

#102 in North America

#329 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Receiving Aid: 62%
Average Aid: $12,053
Enrollment: 41,137

88. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Civil Engineering

#106 in North America

#339 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

89. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Civil Engineering

#107 in North America

#341 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $10,886
Enrollment: 25,685

90. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Civil Engineering

#108 in North America

#345 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,256

91. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Civil Engineering

#110 in North America

#357 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $44,000

92. Portland State University

Oregon | Portland

For Civil Engineering

#111 in North America

#368 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $10,629
Enrollment: 19,951

93. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Civil Engineering

#112 in North America

#382 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

94. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Civil Engineering

#113 in North America

#385 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1508
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,300

95. Colorado School of Mines

Colorado | Golden

For Civil Engineering

#114 in North America

#388 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 98%

96. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii | Honolulu

For Civil Engineering

#115 in North America

#393 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1187
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 76%

97. Northeastern University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Civil Engineering

#116 in North America

#406 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $34,207

98. University of Alaska Fairbanks

Alaska | Fairbanks

For Civil Engineering

#117 in North America

#407 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $10,424
Enrollment: 6,893

99. West Virginia University

West Virginia | Morgantown

For Civil Engineering

#118 in North America

#408 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1115
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

100. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Civil Engineering

#119 in North America

#409 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $46,485

The best cities to study Civil Engineering in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Berkeley, Stanford, Cambridge, and Ann Arbor.