by our College Data Analytics TeamCivil Engineering encompasses anything to do with building. In this major you will learn how to design, plan, and run large building projects, whether that be bridges, buildings, roads, dams, airports, tunnels, and water supply systems. Civil engineers use modern technology to build fascinating projects and help construct the modern world. If you decide to major in civil engineering, you could work on incredible projects such as the English Channel Tunnel or even the Sears Tower.
Courses that you may be required to take could include: bridge engineering, calculus and analytical geometry, geology, physics, materials of construction, construction management, hydraulics, surveying and measuring, earthquake engineering, civil engineering ethics, transportation engineering, and reinforced concrete design.
Some of the concentrations in this major include: Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation and Highway Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering.
In 2020-2021, civil engineering was the 50th most popular major nationwide with 21,388 degrees awarded. This is approximately the same as the 21,561 graduates the prior year.
Our 2023 Best Civil Engineering Schools ranking analyzes 238 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for civil engineering students. Explore this or one of our many other custom civil eng rankings further below.
Did you love playing with Legos when you were younger? This major is idea for innovative problem-solvers who like to take things apart and put them back together. Not only will math and science become part of your daily work, but writing will also be necessary. You need to have good communication skills to explain your work to others, especially to those who are not in your field. You will also learn how to read blueprints and how to work within building codes.
Both in college and in your career as a Civil Engineer, you will work on a lot of team projects. Learn to become a team player, listening to others ideas while at the same time promoting your own vision. You may have to make tough decisions on whether a plan is feasible both regarding safety and finances.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most civil eng degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic civil engineering program qualifications, to serve in some civil eng careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of civil eng degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in civil engineering to something that takes less time like a . The type of civil eng degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to civil eng, with approximately 58.9% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to civil eng tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 61.8% |
| Master’s Degree | 18.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 6.7% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 6.7% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 1.8% |
About 97.9% of workers in careers related to civil eng obtain at least bachelor's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in civil engineering have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which civil eng career you choose.
Although you only need a bachelor's degree in order to become a civil engineer, many civil engineers have a master's degree. This is necessary in order to become a job manager as well as obtain a license. Civil Engineers can decide what interests them the most and follow that direction. You can design roller coasters, build bridges, create eight lane highways or erect earthquake-safe buildings. The possibilities are endless.
Civil engineers are needed to help create and maintain the nation's infrastructure like roads, bridges, and dams. As population continues to grow, water systems need to be maintained and civil engineers will play a key part in it all.
Want a job when you graduate with your civil eng degree? Civil Engineering careers are expected to grow 8.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to civil engineering.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | 335,700 | 10.6% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Engineers | 141,000 | 6.4% |
| Environmental Engineers | 58,300 | 8.4% |
| Engineering Professors | 54,600 | 14.7% |
Recently graduated civil engineering students earned an average of $63,357 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $46,376 to as high as $92,655. As you might expect, salaries for civil eng graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for civil engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers civil eng grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineers | $156,370 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
| Engineers | $99,410 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers | $98,420 |
With over 810 different civil eng degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased civil eng school rankings to help you with this.
Civil Engineering is one of 40 different types of Engineering programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Civil Engineering | 20,711 |
| Structural Engineering | 332 |
| Trasportation Engineering | 131 |
| Civil Engineering | 131 |
| Water Resources Engineering | 71 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 46,178 |
| Electrical Engineering | 28,844 |
| Computer Engineering | 17,987 |
| Chemical Engineering | 12,917 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 12,811 |
Image Credit: By Master Sgt. Roger Parsons under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
