College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
General

Civil Engineering

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Civil Engineering.

Entry Level Salary
$67,530
Median Salary
$118,178
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
14.6%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $4,727,120
Entry (Early)
$67,530
Median (Prime)
$118,178
High (Prime)
$125,536

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+142k
+551k
+610k
$25k / yr
+52k
+461k
+520k
$50k / yr
-38k
+371k
+430k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
30
24
24
$25k / yr
44
27
27
$50k / yr
Never
30
29

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
$25k / yr
48%
424%
478%
$50k / yr
-17%
171%
198%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate36.5%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Civil engineers

31.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$71,973
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$101,625|$99,590
openings
23,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5%

Engineers, All Other

7.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$71,735
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$102,820|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A

Construction managers

6.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$79,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$112,550|$106,980
openings
46,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%

Management occupations

4.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$76,692
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$145,775|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Project management specialists

3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$78,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$125,536|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%

Top executives

2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$187,425
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$204,841|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%

Software developers

2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$119,744
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$132,000|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%

Postsecondary teachers

2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$27,489
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,032|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%

Architectural and engineering managers

1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$96,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$149,448|$167,740
openings
14,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.8%

Environmental engineers

1.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$82,162
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$106,923|$104,170
openings
3,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
civil engineering technologies/technicians.Undergrad Certificate20Data N/A
civil engineering technologies/technicians.Associate's Degree100$56,729 - $88,847
civil engineering technologies/technicians.Bachelor's Degree26$64,798 - $87,573
civil engineering.Associate's Degree12$70,850 - $70,850
civil engineering.Bachelor's Degree278$63,091 - $108,548
civil engineering.Master's Degree195$80,151 - $130,675
civil engineering.Doctoral Degree94Data N/A