Study Civil Engineering in the USA: Top Colleges, Courses and Fees

The USA has become a hub for studying engineering, attracting students from all over the world who want to pursue a career in this dynamic and diverse field. According to the U.S. News Best Global Universities rankings, the USA has 34 of the top 100 universities for civil engineering, more than any other country. Civil engineering in the USA is also a vital sector for the country’s economy and industry, contributing to the growth and development of various sectors such as transportation, energy, water, and construction. The demand for civil engineers is driven by the need to repair and upgrade the aging infrastructure in the U.S., as well as to design and build new projects that address the challenges of climate change, population growth, and urbanization.  

There has never been a better time to study civil engineering in the USA, as the country is poised to invest heavily in its infrastructure in the coming years. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law by President Biden in November 2021, is a 1.2 trillion USD package that provides historic levels of funding for various infrastructure categories, such as roads, bridges, rail, water, broadband, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. This legislation will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs for civil engineers and other infrastructure professionals, as well as stimulate economic growth and innovation. The combination of high-quality education and countless opportunities make the USA an exciting destination for international students. In this article, we will look at some of the best civil engineering programs in the USA, along with their tuition fees, entry requirements, etc.

Overview of Civil Engineering in the USA 

Why Study Civil Engineering in the USA? 

High-Quality Education: The USA is known for its world-class education system and renowned universities. Many American institutions offer top-tier civil engineering programs with cutting-edge research and teaching methods.  

Diverse Specializations: Civil engineering is a broad field with various specializations such as structural engineering, transportation engineering, environmental engineering, and more. U.S. universities often provide a wide range of specializations, allowing students to explore their interests.  

Research Opportunities: The USA is a leader in technological advancements and engineering research. Studying in the country gives you access to state-of-the-art facilities, research opportunities, and collaboration with experts in the field.  

Industry Connections: Many U.S. universities have strong connections with the engineering industry. This can lead to internships, co-op programs, and job placement opportunities, helping you gain practical experience and build a network of industry contacts.   

Quality of Life: The USA offers a high standard of living, with various amenities and a range of extracurricular activities for students. Safety, infrastructure, and quality of life are factors that can enhance your overall student experience.  

Scholarships and Financial Aid: While tuition can be high in US Universities, they offer financial aid and scholarships to international students.

Career Opportunities: The U.S. has a robust job market for civil engineers, with a wide range of opportunities in both the public and private sectors. A U.S. degree can open doors to a variety of career options. Students can work while studying in the USA, additionally, they can continue working with a post-study work visa. 

Best Civil Engineering Programs in the USA 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT, or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a world-renowned institution of higher education and research, especially in the fields of science and engineering. MIT was founded in 1861 as a response to the increasing industrialization of the United States. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at MIT is one of the oldest and most respected in the world. It traces its origins to 1865 when the first professor of civil engineering was appointed at MIT. Since then, CEE has been at the forefront of innovation and discovery in areas such as structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, transportation engineering, water resources engineering, and urban systems engineering.  It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in civil and environmental engineering, as well as interdisciplinary programs in data science for engineering systems, computational science and engineering, and technology and policy. The CEE department has a research focus on the human-built environment and the complex infrastructure systems that it entails, as well as the man-made effect on the natural world. 

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University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) is a public research university that was founded in 1868 as the flagship campus of the University of California system. It is located in the city of Berkeley, on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay. UC Berkeley is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading universities, especially in the fields of science, engineering, and social sciences. The civil engineering department at UC Berkeley is part of the College of Engineering, which was established in 1931. The department traces its origins to the School of Civil Engineering, which was founded in 1872 as one of the first engineering programs in the United States. The department offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Civil Engineering, as well as Master of Science (MS), Master of Engineering (MEng), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in various subfields of civil and environmental engineering. The department has six research groups that cover a wide range of topics: Engineering and Project Management; Environmental Engineering; Geoengineering; Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Materials; Systems; and Transportation Engineering. The department also provides excellent education that prepares students for successful careers in academia, industry, government, or public service. 

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University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign 

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is a public land-grant research university that was founded in 1867. It is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at UIUC is one of the oldest and most distinguished in the nation. It traces its origins to 1871 when the first civil engineering course was offered at the university. Since then, CEE at UIUC has produced many eminent engineers, scholars, and leaders who have shaped the field and contributed to the advancement of society. Some notable alumni include Nathan M. Newmark, the pioneer of earthquake engineering; William J. Hall, the founder of modern pavement engineering; Ralph Peck, the father of soil mechanics; and Hardy Cross, the inventor of the moment distribution method.  CEE at UIUC offers graduate and undergraduate programs that cover a broad spectrum of civil and environmental engineering topics. The department has state-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities that enable innovative research in areas such as smart materials, nanotechnology, biotechnology, robotics, artificial intelligence, big data, cyber-physical systems, climate change, water quality, disaster resilience, transportation safety, and urban planning. 

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Stanford University 

Stanford University is one of the most prestigious and innovative institutions in the world, and its Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) is no exception. The CEE department was established in 1885, making it one of the oldest engineering departments at Stanford. The undergraduate program is a four-year ABET-accredited civil engineering course.   The CEE department is also renowned for its cutting-edge research that addresses some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing natural and built environments. The department has several research centers and laboratories that conduct interdisciplinary and collaborative research on topics such as climate change, disaster resilience, energy systems, water resources, smart cities, infrastructure design, and more. The department also fosters a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among its students and faculty, who have launched many successful startups and ventures based on their research findings and ideas.  The CEE department at Stanford University is a world-class academic and research institution that prepares its students for careers in professional practice, academia, industry, and government.

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University of Texas at Austin 

The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is a public research university that was founded in 1883. It is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System and one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the United States. UT Austin has 18 colleges and schools, offering more than 170 fields of study and over 12,000 courses to its 51,000 students.  The civil engineering department at UT Austin is part of the Cockrell School of Engineering, which is ranked among the top 10 engineering schools in the nation and the No. 1 program in Texas. The department was established in 1894, making it one of the oldest engineering departments in the country. The department has more than 60 faculty members, 800 undergraduate students, and 400 graduate students. It is renowned for its cutting-edge research in various areas of civil engineering, such as structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, construction engineering, environmental engineering, and water resources engineering. The department has several state-of-the-art research facilities, such as the Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory, the Center for Transportation Research, the Construction Industry Institute, the Center for Water and the Environment, and the Center for Energy and Environmental Resources.  

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Purdue University 

Purdue University is a public research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. It was founded in 1869 with a land grant from the federal government and a donation from John Purdue, a local businessman. Purdue University is known for its excellence in science, engineering, and technology, as well as its contributions to space exploration, aviation, and agriculture. The Lyles School of Civil Engineering at Purdue University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious civil engineering programs. It was established in 1887 as the School of Civil Engineering, and renamed in 2007 in honor of alumnus and benefactor N. L. Lyles. It has produced many distinguished alumni, including Neil Armstrong, the first human to walk on the moon; Eugene Cernan, the last human to walk on the moon; and Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the current research areas of the department include infrastructure, resiliency, and sustainability; sustainable water; smart mobility; geotechnical engineering; structural engineering; environmental engineering; transportation engineering; construction engineering and management; and architectural engineering. The Lyles School of Civil Engineering also hosts several research centers and laboratories, such as the Bowen Laboratory for Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research, the Center for High-Performance Buildings, the Center for Resilient Infrastructures, Systems, and Processes, and the Global Engineering Program. The students also have opportunities to participate in experiential learning activities, such as co-op programs, internships, study abroad programs, service learning projects, and undergraduate research. 

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Admission Requirements for Civil Engineering in the USA 

Bachelor’s 

• A high school diploma or its equivalent.
• English language proficiency certification in tests like IELTS (6.5) or TOEFL (90). 
• Some universities may require specific high school courses or prerequisites, such as mathematics (including calculus) and physics. 
• Many universities require either SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admissions. Check with the specific university to see which test scores they prefer. 
• High school transcripts to demonstrate your academic performance. Letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other individuals. 
• A personal statement or essay as part of your application.

Master’s

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field. 
• You may also need to submit GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores. 
• Letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and research experience may be required for advanced degrees. 
• English language proficiency certification in tests like IELTS (6.5) or TOEFL (90). 
• Some graduate programs may require specific undergraduate courses or prerequisites in mathematics, engineering, or related fields. 
• Additionally, some universities may have specific admission criteria, such as a minimum GPA or standardized test scores. 

Career Opportunities for Civil Engineering Graduates in the USA 

Civil engineers can work in different sectors, such as public, private, or non-governmental organizations. They can also specialize in different subfields, such as structural, environmental, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, or coastal engineering. They can work as civil engineers or pursue other related occupations, such as surveyors, CAD technicians, building engineers, water hygiene engineers, urban planners, project managers, consultants, researchers, or educators. Civil engineering graduates can also obtain professional licenses or certifications to enhance their skills and credentials. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), civil engineers held about 329,200 jobs in 2020. The largest employers of civil engineers were engineering services (48%), state and local government (22%), construction (9%), federal government (6%), and nonresidential building construction (3%). The BLS projects that civil engineering jobs will grow by 7% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the need to repair and upgrade existing infrastructure, as well as to build new infrastructure to accommodate population growth and urbanization.  

The average salary for a civil engineer in the USA was 99,266 USD per year, according to Glassdoor. However, the salary can vary depending on several factors, such as education, experience, location, industry, and specialty. For example, according to Indeed.com, civil engineers working in oil and gas extraction earned the highest average annual salary of 174,550 USD in 2020. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, studying civil engineering in the USA can be an extremely rewarding and lucrative decision. The top engineering colleges in the USA offer world-class education, experienced faculty, prestige, employment opportunities, and more. By choosing to study civil engineering in the USA, you will not only gain a valuable degree that will open many doors for your future but also a rich and diverse learning experience that will broaden your horizons and enrich your personal and professional growth. You will also be part of a vibrant and innovative community of civil engineers who are making a difference in the world through their work. Although we have covered some of the best programs in the USA, there are plenty more options that might suit your preferences and budget better. Let our admission experts at OneApply, help you find the perfect fit for you. Your free video call appointment is waiting!