Finding the Best Colleges for Civil Engineering Programs

For students fascinated by infrastructure and enjoy multifaceted problem-solving, civil engineering might be a great choice for a college major. Civil engineering is a true multidisciplinary pursuit, merging fields such as science and engineering with others like business, economics, and management. Many colleges across the country offer a major in civil engineering, so there are plenty of options to choose from. The degree program is ranked #50 in the country in terms of popularity. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

What is Civil Engineering?

Have you ever wondered who designs the infrastructure of a town or city? How are big projects planned, like rerouting a highway or installing a new sewage system? Who designs the water supply system or chooses the best spot for a new international airport? Civil engineers can be employed by government departments, utility companies, architectural firms, and engineering firms, or they can become independent consultants. Typically, a civil engineer will split time between the office and the field. In the office, he or she will create and test plans to solve problems and meet needs. In the field, he or she will meet engineers, architects, and other project managers.

Why Study Civil Engineering?

Civil engineering is a strong career choice that will offer little chance of getting bored. Civil engineering is a career with great job security and solid earning potential. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that civil engineering will see job growth of 11% by 2026, which is above the national average for all occupations. It also reports that the median annual pay for a civil engineer is $86,640.

Licensing and Further Education

In addition to an undergraduate degree, civil engineers also need to be licensed. These requirements vary according to the state that you’re working in, but in general licensure requires a college degree, a minimum number of years working in the field, and a passing score on a licensure exam. Exams can also vary by state, but you can see the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying site to learn more.

Building a Strong College Application

College admissions are competitive, and if the trend continues they will only become more so. Planning your approach to college applications and your applicant profile is important.

Take a Broad Course Load at a High Level

While much of civil engineering is rooted in STEM field studies, it includes a lot more than just math and science. You should aim to take a well-rounded course load at the highest level that you’re capable of succeeding in. Taking classes like AP Calculus BC, AP Physics, and AP Macroeconomics will prepare you well for this field and might even allow you to place out of introductory classes when you begin your degree program.

Pursue Extracurriculars that Highlight Problem Solving Skills

Civil engineering often requires out of the box creative thinking to tackle existing problems in new ways. You can build your skills in this area by pursuing extracurriculars like robotics club or Math Olympiad. Sticking with a few, strong extracurriculars for an extended period and taking on progressive responsibility will demonstrate your dedication.

Build a Strong Admissions Team

An optimal college application will demonstrate academic success and extracurricular commitment throughout an applicant’s high school years, not just during 11th grade. To get started early, we often recommend that ninth and tenth graders build a supportive and experienced admissions team to help along the way.

Top Civil Engineering Programs in Florida

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 10 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Civil Engineering Schools in Florida ranking. Here are some of the top Florida schools for civil engineering programs:

1. University of Florida (UF)

University of Florida is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in civil engineering. UF is a fairly large public university located in the city of Gainesville. A Best Colleges rank of #56 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UF is a great university overall. There were about 203 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, civil eng degree recipients typically make around $73,462 in their early careers.

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2. University of Central Florida (UCF)

University of Central Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in civil engineering. Located in the suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 70 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida. There were approximately 195 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at UCF in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the civil eng program report average early career earnings of $69,321.

3. Florida State University (FSU)

Florida State University is a great option for students interested in a degree in civil engineering. Florida State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Tallahassee. A Best Colleges rank of #117 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Florida State is a great university overall. There were roughly 118 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil eng degree recipients generally earn about $67,050 at the beginning of their careers.

4. University of South Florida - Main Campus (USF Tampa)

It is difficult to beat University of South Florida - Main Campus if you wish to pursue a degree in civil engineering. Located in the city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #198 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means USF Tampa is a great university overall. There were roughly 119 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent data year. After graduation, civil eng degree recipients usually make about $72,352 at the beginning of their careers.

5. Florida International University (FIU)

Located in the large suburb of Miami, FIU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 13th out of 70 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida. There were about 201 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at FIU in the most recent data year.

6. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach

Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Daytona Beach. A Best Colleges rank of #187 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach is a great university overall. There were approximately 21 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach in the most recent data year.

7. Florida Atlantic University (FAU)

Located in the small city of Boca Raton, FAU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 22nd out of 70 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida. There were roughly 84 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at FAU in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, civil eng degree recipients typically make an average of $64,671 in the first five years of their career.

8. Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech)

Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Tech is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #199 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Florida Tech is a great school overall. There were approximately 24 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at Florida Tech in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the civil eng program state that they receive average early career wages of $64,579. Florida Tech’s expert civil engineering instructors are professional engineers with real-world design experience and research interests. Among them are recipients of awards for excellence in research, practice, teaching and service and many have been honored for their work by industry, government and professional groups. Our students have full access to the F.W. Olin Engineering Complex, a 70,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building that houses the latest in electronic and communications technology, 26 specialized research labs and a 142-seat multimedia auditorium. The materials and structures laboratory is equipped with several universal testing machines for physical testing and equipment and instrumentation for experimental stress analysis. Civil engineering internships for juniors and seniors include civil engineering design, cost estimation, subdivision design, drainage planning, landscape planning, bidding processes, construction site evaluations and negotiating, among many other opportunities. If graduate study is on your list of goals, you can take advantage of Florida Tech’s FastTrack Master’s Program. As an undergraduate junior or senior, you can take graduate-level courses and complete your master's degree in as little as one additional year of study. Our location makes it easy to engineer a little rest and relaxation when you need it, too: Just over the causeway are 72 miles of beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches, and our campus is a short trip away from Orlando’s theme parks or the Florida Keys. Florida Tech’s civil engineering students are hired by private architectural, construction, environmental, geotechnical, land development, structural, transportation and water resources companies, including several national and multinational companies. While government funding is often the source for civil engineering projects, private company projects will continue to fuel demand for civil engineering careers. During the first two years of the civil engineering degree program at Florida Tech, you’ll build a solid foundation with courses in chemistry, mathematics, physics and engineering mechanics, augmented by practice-oriented civil engineering courses-including computer-aided design. You will take courses in all main areas of civil engineering-construction engineering, construction management, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering and water resources engineering-to become familiar with the entire breadth of civil engineering. As a junior and senior, the emphasis is on project-based learning, and you will complete several real-world design projects as part of course assignments, including a two-course capstone design project in collaboration with a team of your peers. Florida Tech’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is one of our most active organizations on campus. ASCE takes part in several national competitions to test members' engineering skills, including concrete canoe and steel bridge competitions. In addition to on-campus groups, professional groups like the Construction Industry Advisory Board (CIAC) provide students with a solid understanding of the many difficult management issues engineering professionals face in the construction industry.

9. University of North Florida (UNF)

UNF is a large public university located in the city of Jacksonville. This university ranks 26th out of 70 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida. There were roughly 85 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at UNF in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the civil eng program state that they receive average early career income of $65,622.

10. Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)

Located in the large suburb of Fort Myers, FGCU is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 37th out of 70 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida. There were approximately 48 civil engineering students who graduated with this degree at FGCU in the most recent data year.

Additional Considerations

There are numerous options to choose from when you’re considering a major in civil engineering. It may seem difficult to narrow down your list, but it’s an important process to go through thoughtfully to ensure that your final college list is a great fit for you.

QS World University Rankings

Nearly 300 universities from around the world have been ranked in this year’s table of the best civil & structural engineering degrees. We've created a new label to recognise universities that actively engage with QS by submitting data for our rankings. These are the top 100 US universities, based upon the QS World University Rankings 2024.

Other Universities

Louisiana Tech University | La.North Carolina A&T State University | N.C.Saint Martin’s University | St.University of Missouri-St.

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