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Civil & Environmental Engineering PhD

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Berkeley is a place of intellectual vitality. This vitality is evident in its creative and forward-looking curricula and classroom teaching, its attentive academic mentoring, and the innovative research conducted by students and faculty.

CEE focuses on developing future leaders for the engineering profession, for academia, and for applying engineering methods in the broader societal context. CEE conducts cutting-edge research, defining what constitutes the evolving domain of civil and environmental engineering.

We offer both Master's (the Master of Science and the Master of Engineering ) and Doctoral degree programs. We support seven programs of study for the MS and the PhD, each of which has its own prerequisites for admission and degree requirements. CEE offers two programs of study for the MEng. CEE also offers three concurrent degree programs and two certificate programs.

Master of Engineering (MEng)

This professional degree emphasizes solving technical, sociological, environmental, and economic problems involved in the design, construction, and operation of engineering structures, processes, and equipment. Studies include courses in the engineering sciences necessary to the engineering interpretation of the latest scientific developments. Courses in design, operation, humanities, and economics provide a basis for the analysis and solution of problems in professional engineering.

Students in this degree program select either a concentration in Systems (Civil Systems) or Transportation Engineering (see above descriptions). There are options for either full-time or part-time enrollment.

CEEs MEng program is offered in conjunction with the Fung Institute for Engineering Leadership .

Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

These degrees emphasize the application of the natural sciences to the analysis and solution of engineering problems. Advanced courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and the life sciences are normally included in a program that incorporates the engineering systems approach for analysis of problems.

Students in these degree programs select one of the following seven concentrations:

1. Construction Systems: Construction is a large, vital, and exciting field now disrupted by deep technology like AI, robotics, embedded sensors and nano-materials. The industry is reshaping itself for example by increased use of modular and off-site production with radically new supply chains, virtualization and development of digital twins, and innovative management thinking such as Lean Construction.This program will educate you to lead tomorrows automation of the construction industry.

You will learn to leverage these disruptions to realize the next generation of adaptable, resilient, sustainable smart buildings and infrastructure. We teach construction systems as a computational and management science, integrating technology with applications for example to realize state-of-the-art structural and geotechnical designs, to launch you as a technologist, entrepreneur, researcher, academic, or management professional geared to drive construction industry transformation.

Our curriculum includes:

Construction viewed as a socio-technical system including its data science, optimization, and simulation aspects,

Construction viewed as a project-based production system including its organizational, financial, planning, control, legal, and contractual aspects,

Integration with structural and geotechnical design,

Technology including the use of robots, cloud computing, machine learning, sensing, scanning, and information modeling such as BIM and VDC,

Large-scale systems thinking including societal-scale mobility, energy flows, and urban forms,

The freedom to take courses in other disciplines.

Our graduates find a wide range of employment opportunities in private industry and in the public sector, for example in tech companies, consulting, design, building, transportation, and industrial construction firms, as well as in public- and private owner organizations, both domestically as well as internationally.

As we are located in the San Francisco Bay Area the center of major local, national, and international construction activity our Program is strongly interlinked with industry. Our class projects and research leverage the ability to go observe as well as study specific local and international projects. We draw on examples from residential-, commercial building-, industrial-, and heavy/civil construction throughout our curriculum. We also invite industry practitioners to present guest lectures describing industry challenges and solutions.

2. Energy, Civil Infrastructure and Climate: Energy, climate, and infrastructure systems are closely tied together, and these connections manifest in many forms. Our society cannot function without energy and infrastructure systems. Energy systems with the lowest possible greenhouse gas footprint are a key to mitigating climate change. Civil infrastructure systems are a backbone of society, and they are also major users of energy that needs to be reduced for a more sustainable development.

The objective of the Energy, Civil Infrastructure and Climate (ECIC) Program is to educate a cadre of professionals who will be able to analyze from engineering, environmental, economic, and management perspectives complex problems such as energy efficiency of buildings, environmentally informed design of transportation systems, embodied energy of construction materials, electricity from renewable sources, and biofuels, and address such overarching societal problems as mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation of infrastructure to a changing climate. ECIC also promotes research at the intersection of energy, infrastructure and climate science.

3. Engineering and Project Management: The Engineering and Project Management (E&PM) Program educates professionals to become leaders in managing projects and companies in Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) and in other industries. E&PM graduates find a wide range of employment opportunities in private industry and in the public sector, for example in engneering consulting-, building-, transportation-, and industrial construction firms, as well as in public- and private owner organizations, both domestically as well as internationally.

As infrastructure systems become more complex, tomorrow's industry leaders must add innovative management thinking to a solid foundation in design and construction. The E&PM Program is uniquely specialized in teaching and researching such new management concepts as Lean Construction, Cost and Schedule Forensics, and Sustainability Engineering. Our teaching and research emphasizes new concepts, technologies, developments, and techniques applicable to both domestic and international project and corporate management. The Program emphasizes the interrelationships of all life-cycle components: planning, design, manufacturing, construction, operation, maintenance, and re-purposing/decommissioning.

As we are located in the San Francisco Bay Area-the center of major local, national, and international project management and construction activity-our Program is strongly interlinked with industry. Our class projects and research leverage the ability to go observe as well as study specific local and international projects. We draw on examples from commercial building-, industrial-, and heavy/civil construction throughout our curriculum. We also invite industry practitioners to present guest lectures describing industry challenges and solutions.

4. Environmental Engineering: Management of environmental resources to protect human health and the systems that support life is one of the biggest challenges facing modern society. In recognition of the interdisciplinary nature of these challenges, Berkeley's Environmental Engineering Program provides you with the education needed to address current and future environmental issues. Graduate coursework and research is focused in three Areas of Emphasis :

  • Air Quality Engineering (AQE)
  • Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology (EFMH)
  • Water Quality Engineering (WQE)

You are encouraged to develop a broad set of problem-solving skills through courses and research in related fields such as:

  • Berkeley Atmospheric Sciences Center
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences
  • Energy & Resources Group
  • Environmental Science, Policy & Management
  • Integrative Biology
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Plant & Microbial Biology
  • School of Public Health

5. GeoSystems : The GeoSystems Program encompasses a broad area of teaching and research in geotechnical and geological engineering, environmental geotechnics, and applied geophysics. The focus is on the evaluation of engineering properties of geologic materials and on providing engineering solutions for dealing with geologic environment and processes, and natural hazards.

To this end we pursue studies of the mechanical behavior of soil and rock masses, laboratory and field characterization of material properties, development and application of geophysical techniques for site and subsurface characterization, development of advanced analysis methods, and evaluation of static and dynamic (seismic) performance of soil deposits, earth structures, and underground space.

The GeoSystems graduate program has a long tradition of excellence and its graduates are leaders in the industry and academia. The strength and breadth of Berkeley's GeoSystems is enhanced by close ties with faculty in other areas of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences. Close interaction of the faculty with consulting companies and practitioners also provides opportunity for exposure to the state-of-the-art practice through invited lectures and site visits to ongoing engineering projects in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Due to the broad interdisciplinary nature of the field we welcome students with a wide range of backgrounds in Engineering and Earth Sciences.

6. Structural Engineering, Mechanics, and Materials: CEE's Structural Engineering, Mechanics, and Materials (SEMM) Program has an international reputation for excellence. Many of the fundamental developments underlying the state-of-the-art in structural engineering, mechanics, and materials were pioneered by SEMM faculty and students. This tradition of excellence continues today through vigorous programs of basic and applied research, and careful attention to instruction.

The active involvement of SEMM faculty in the forefront of research projects and in the solution of challenging real world engineering problems results in an instructional program that is up-to-date and relevant. SEMM offers excellent opportunities for study and research leading to advanced degrees in the areas of structural analysis and design, mechanics of structures and solids, and materials in structures and construction.

The curriculum provides a strong basis for advanced professional practice, research, or teaching. Programs of study can be tailored easily to fit individual needs and interests, whether broad-based and multidisciplinary, or narrowly focused and highly technical. Graduates from the SEMM Program have gone on to become world leaders in private practice, government service, education, and research.

7. Systems (Civil Systems): The focus of the Systems Engineering Program (Systems) is understanding complex large-scale systems and developing tools for their design and operation. Such systems encompass built elements in the broad sense (infrastructures transportation, structures, etc.), societal systems (social networks, populations enterprises), and natural systems (land water, air). These systems are at the core of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the 21st Century.

The understanding of how such systems work requires knowledge about the constitutive laws that govern them, such as traffic flow, fluid mechanics, structural mechanics, and smart networks. It also requires an understanding of the theoretical paradigms that are used to model, control and optimize such systems. These include the theories of computation, control theory, optimization, behavioral economics, sensor networks, statistics, and signal processing.

In response to these challenges, the Systems Program provides courses that cover both field knowledge and technical/theoretical tools. This is reflected in the curriculum. We offer masters and doctoral degree programs providing the key skills, e.g., technological, mathematical, or social scientific, as well as the knowledge for a broad range of engineering domains. Our graduates lead the next generation of research, start-ups, industrial corporations, and public-sector organizations.

8. Transportation Engineering: Graduate studyin transportation at the University of California, Berkeley prepares you for a professional, teaching, and research career. Emphasis is on the acquisition of advanced knowledge concerning planning, design, operations, maintenance, rehabilitation, performance, and evaluation of transportation systems, including their economic and public policy aspects. The program stresses development of analytic, problem-solving, design, and management skills suitable for public and private sector professional work.

Transportation Engineering faculty with diverse backgrounds and research interests, including emeriti professors, teach transportation courses. In addition, faculty from City and Regional Planning , Economics , Industrial Engineering and Operations Research , Business Administration , Political Science , and other departments offer courses related to transportation.

Students also have the opportunity to work and interact with research staff at the Institute of Transportation Studies .

Students in the PhD program have the option of pursuing a designated emphasis (DE) to supplement their study.

Concurrent Degrees

The concurrent degree program is a formal arrangement of two existing, but separate, master's degree programs, which result in the students earning two masters degrees. CEE offers the following concurrent degree programs:

  • Program in Structural Engineering and Architecture (MArch/MS)
  • Program in Transportation Engineering and City and Regional Planning (MCP/MS)
  • Any CEE graduate program and Public Policy (MPP/MS)

For further information regarding these programs, please see the department's website .

Certificates

Certificate in Engineering and Business for Sustainability: The Engineering and Business for Sustainability (EBS) Certificate Program trains UC Berkeley graduate students to understand the complexity and urgency of their role in engineering, business, and environmental management, and to work across boundaries to achieve sustainable solutions to pressing societal problems. This program allows students to tap into multidisciplinary educational resources from the College of Engineering , Haas School of Business , Energy and Resources Group , Goldman School of Public Policy , College of Natural Resources , and the School of Public Health , to learn how to have a lasting beneficial impact on the global environment. This program is open to all Berkeley graduate students who meet the EBS Certificate course requirements. For further information regarding this program, see the department's website .

Certificate in Intelligent Transportation Systems: Jointly sponsored by CEE, the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering, this program is designed to assist students in studying ITS in a systematic and focused way. Faculty advisers help students design a personalized study program to meet their goals. For more information regarding this program, see the department's website .

Designated Emphasis

Berkeley Ph.D. students are eligible to pursue a Designated Emphasis as part of their doctoral studies. Common Designated Emphases for CEE doctoral students include:

  • Computational and Data Science and Engineering
  • Global Metropolitan Studies
  • Development Engineering

A designated emphasis is a specialization, such as a new method of inquiry or an important field of application, which is relevant to two or more existing doctoral degree programs. You are required to complete the academic work in the area of specialization and all the requirements of the doctoral program. You must be admitted to the DE before taking the qualifying examination. A complete list of Designated Emphases is here .

Contact Info

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Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Civil & Environmental Engineering

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 11, 2023

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

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Civil Engineering, Ph.D.

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Growing and established cities are continually meeting new infrastructure needs and maintaining older systems, such as highways, bridges, and airports. The School of Engineering's Ph.D. in Civil Engineering program produces graduates dedicated to enriching the field. Research-oriented and focused on the latest developments in the discipline, our program readies you for civil engineering research careers in the private sector. It also prepares you to teach at the university level, ensuring the most recent advancements in the field are shared with a new generation of civil engineers.

Concentrations

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will choose to concentrate in 1 of these sub-disciplines:

  • structural materials and engineering
  • geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering
  • environmental and water resources engineering
  • construction management and engineering
  • highway and traffic engineering
  • urban infrastructure systems

Other focus areas are possible and can be developed with the assistance of faculty advisers. All subject areas must be relevant to the degree sought, and a faculty member must be willing and able to guide your research.

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Abu Dhabi Global Fellow Program

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Urban Science Doctoral Track

  • Admission to this program requires an MS in Civil Engineering or equivalent with a GPA of 3.5 or better (on a 0-4 scale).
  • GRE scores are required for all full-time Ph.D. applicants.
  • Foreign applicants must take the TOEFL examination and submit the results for consideration.

In criteria 1 and 2 above, the “equivalent" can be achieved in several ways. You may have an MS degree with a different title that covers substantially the same material. In more general terms, you must demonstrate that you have the equivalent of all undergraduate and masters-level coursework to be able to pursue doctoral-level work in the chosen major area, as well as in a minor area within the umbrella of civil engineering. Further, “equivalence” is evaluated based on the totality of your undergraduate and graduate record, not course-by-course. Thus, if you wish to pursue doctoral work in Environmental Engineering, for example, you must have the entire undergraduate and masters-level course background expected in Environmental Engineering, but you do not need to demonstrate such a background in structures.

Because admission to a Ph.D. program requires a relevant MS (or equivalent), applicants who have not yet achieved a master’s degree would normally be admitted as MS students. They are expected to earn an MS degree while completing their major and minor course requirements. In rare cases, an applicant with only a BS degree may be directly admitted into the Ph.D. program with the written approval of the department head.

Find out more about  Admission Requirements .

A maximum of 48 credits of approved graduate work may be transferred and applied to your degree requirements. They would be awarded on a course-by-course basis or by the transfer of an MS degree from another institution in satisfaction of 30 graduate credits. The latter requires a recommendation from the department’s Graduate Committee and the approval of the department head. Transfer credits must be approved by the academic adviser, the graduate coordinator, and the department head.

Every Ph.D. student upon admission is assigned an academic adviser, who is designated by the department head. Any member of the civil engineering faculty may be an academic adviser to a Ph.D. student. The first meeting should take place shortly after receiving an acceptance letter from the Admissions Office. During this first meeting the student’s Program of Study should be established. The Program of Study should include a list of the fundamental and advanced topics that will comprise the specific courses, the subject matter for the qualifying exam and possible research areas.

Program Requirements

Before becoming a candidate for the Ph.D., you must pass a qualifying examination. 

Immediately after you pass your qualifying exam, a Dissertation Committee will be formed. This panel of experts will guide your course of study and research work. You are required to submit and present a dissertation proposal. The culmination of your Ph.D. work will be the defense of the final draft of your dissertation. There are important requirements involved in the qualifying examination and dissertation processes.  One of these requirements is that your defense of the final draft of your dissertation must take place in-person at the Brooklyn Campus.

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Best Civil Engineering Programs

Ranked in 2023, part of Best Engineering Schools

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Here are the Best Civil Engineering Programs

University of california, berkeley, university of illinois urbana-champaign (grainger), georgia institute of technology, university of texas--austin (cockrell), stanford university, university of michigan--ann arbor, purdue university--west lafayette, virginia tech, carnegie mellon university (carnegie).

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phd programs for civil engineering

Berkeley , CA

  • # 1 in Civil Engineering
  • # 3 in Best Engineering Schools

$11,700 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$26,802 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,673 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $135 for U.S. residents and $155 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $11,700... Read More »

Engineering school

Tuition and fees (master's).

$11,700 per year (in-state, full-time)

$26,802 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

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phd programs for civil engineering

Urbana , IL

  • # 2 in Civil Engineering
  • # 11 in Best Engineering Schools

$19,320 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$36,798 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,812 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $70 for U.S. residents and $90 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $19,320 per... Read More »

$19,320 per year (in-state, full-time)

$36,798 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Atlanta , GA

  • # 3 in Civil Engineering
  • # 5 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$14,064 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$29,140 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

4,784 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $85 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $14,064 per... Read More »

$14,064 per year (in-state, full-time)

$29,140 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Austin , TX

  • # 4 in Civil Engineering
  • # 7 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$10,554 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$19,320 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,395 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Cockrell School of Engineering at University of Texas--Austin (Cockrell) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

$10,554 per year (in-state, full-time)

$19,320 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Stanford , CA

  • # 5 in Civil Engineering  (tie)
  • # 2 in Best Engineering Schools

$66,297 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,469 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $125 for U.S. residents and $125 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $66,29... Read More »

$66,297 per year (full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Ann Arbor , MI

$29,466 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$55,276 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,800 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering at University of Michigan--Ann Arbor has a rolling application deadline. The application fee... Read More »

$29,466 per year (in-state, full-time)

$55,276 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

West Lafayette , IN

  • # 7 in Civil Engineering  (tie)
  • # 4 in Best Engineering Schools

$10,842 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$29,644 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,495 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering at Purdue University--West Lafayette has a rolling application deadline. The application fee... Read More »

$10,842 per year (in-state, full-time)

$29,644 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Blacksburg , VA

  • # 30 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$14,506 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$29,238 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,411 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $75 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $14,506 per... Read More »

$14,506 per year (in-state, full-time)

$29,238 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Pittsburgh , PA

  • # 9 in Civil Engineering  (tie)

$52,100 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$2,172 per credit (part-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

4,843 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Carnegie Institute of Technology at Carnegie Mellon University (Carnegie) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

$52,100 per year (full-time)

$2,172 per credit (part-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge , MA

  • # 1 in Best Engineering Schools

$57,590 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,222 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $75 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $57,590 per... Read More »

$57,590 per year (full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

University of California--Davis

  • # 34 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$13,915 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$29,017 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

1,266 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $135 for U.S. residents and $155 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $13,91... Read More »

$13,915 per year (in-state, full-time)

$29,017 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Cornell University

Ithaca , NY

  • # 12 in Civil Engineering  (tie)
  • # 13 in Best Engineering Schools

$29,500 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$2,602 per credit (part-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,617 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering at Cornell University has a rolling application deadline. The application fee is $105 for... Read More »

$29,500 per year (full-time)

$2,602 per credit (part-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Northwestern University (McCormick)

Evanston , IL

  • # 17 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$62,163 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$7,372 per credit (part-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,188 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $95 for U.S. residents and $95 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $62,163 per... Read More »

$62,163 per year (full-time)

$7,372 per credit (part-time)

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phd programs for civil engineering

Arizona State University (Fulton)

  • in Civil Engineering
  • # 41 in Best Engineering Schools

$12,014 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$32,656 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

4,464 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $70 for U.S. residents and $115 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $12,01... Read More »

$12,014 per year (in-state, full-time)

$32,656 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Auburn University (Ginn)

Auburn , AL

  • # 55 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$10,386 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$31,158 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

636 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University (Ginn) has a rolling application deadline. The application... Read More »

$10,386 per year (in-state, full-time)

$31,158 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Brigham Young University (Fulton)

  • # 127 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$7,932 per year (LDS member, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$15,864 per year (Non-LDS member, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

424 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $50 for U.S. residents and $50 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $7,932 per... Read More »

$7,932 per year (LDS member, full-time)

$15,864 per year (Non-LDS member, full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena , CA

N/A TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

548 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $100 for international students. The 2022 Ph.D. student-faculty ratio... Read More »

phd programs for civil engineering

Case Western Reserve University (Case)

Cleveland , OH

  • # 53 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$50,838 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$2,119 per credit (part-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

659 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Case School of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University (Case) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

$50,838 per year (full-time)

$2,119 per credit (part-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Clarkson University (Coulter)

Potsdam , NY

  • # 168 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

198 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering at Clarkson University (Coulter) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

phd programs for civil engineering

Clemson University

Clemson , SC

  • # 77 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$10,858 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$22,566 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

1,339 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences at Clemson University has a rolling application deadline... Read More »

$10,858 per year (in-state, full-time)

$22,566 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Cleveland State University (Washkewicz)

  • # 183-202 in Best Engineering Schools

$590 per credit (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$1,011 per credit (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

960 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Washkewicz College of Engineering at Cleveland State University (Washkewicz) has a rolling application deadline... Read More »

$590 per credit (in-state, full-time)

$1,011 per credit (out-of-state, full-time)

phd programs for civil engineering

Colorado School of Mines

Golden , CO

  • # 52 in Best Engineering Schools

$17,676 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$39,618 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

1,150 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $95 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $17,676 per... Read More »

$17,676 per year (in-state, full-time)

$39,618 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Civil and Environmental Engineering

PhD Program

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The Doctor of Philosophy degree is offered under the general regulations of the University as set forth in the Stanford Bulletin. This degree is recommended for those who expect to engage in a professional career in research, teaching, or technical work of an advanced nature in civil or environmental engineering.

A PhD at Stanford requires a minimum of 90 units of graduate study beyond the Masters degree. PhD students who arrive at Stanford with a Masters degree that did not provide adequate background in their area of specialization may be required take additional units beyond this minimum as part of their PhD studies. Students who are directly admitted to the PhD without a Masters degree are required to take a total of 135 units of graduate study. The department requires CEE PhD students arriving without a Masters degree to take sufficient coursework each quarter, until the GQE is completed, to satisfy the requirements for a CEE Masters degree by the end of their 6th non-summer quarter of PhD studies. Once the GQE is completed, steady progress towards the MS is no longer required. PhD candidates should develop individually tailored study plans and expected-progress timetables in consultation with their thesis advisors. 

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Doctoral Program in Civil Engineering

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Civil Engineering Doctoral Students Citizenship

Civil engineering doctoral students age, fall 2022 podcast: life of a phd student, student & alumni profiles.

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Ghena Alhanaee

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Preetham Manjunatha

Tour one of our research labs, program information and resources, how to apply, dissertation topics, funding & resources, phd alumni snapshot, usc graduate application, research topics database, recent department videos.

Published on June 8th, 2021

Last updated on August 18th, 2023

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Ghena Alhanaee PhD in Civil Engineering

Tell us a little bit about yourself I am from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates where I grew up and spent my formative years all the way to completing my bachelor’s degree at The Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi (now renamed Khalifa University). I was always interested in physics and math and after some exploring, found myself intrigued by mechanical engineering which ended up being my maopr for my undergraduate studies. Throughout my studies, I grew more and more interested in the energy sector and had the opportunity to pursue a master’s in energy resources engineering at Stanford University.

What attracted you to choose USC for your graduate studies? I then decided I wanted to continue working on and pursuing research in the energy and environment field, with a specific focus on my hometown and the surrounding region (the Persian Gulf). At the time, UAE had just announced they were constructing 4 nuclear reactors to diversify their energy sector. This would be the first time any of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries would enter the nuclear sector, and this really shaped my decision on what I wanted to focus on for my PhD research. I ended up finding an opportunity to work on research focused on my interests at the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department at USC, which brought me to Los Angeles.

Tell us about your interests outside the classroom.

Outside of the classroom, I love taking advantage of the beautiful Californian weather, spending time outdoors, going on hikes, and enjoying the sunshine.

Tell us about some exciting and unforgettable incidents from your two years at USC.

I am now starting my sixth year at USC (hopefully my last!) and have had the opportunity of meeting people from all sorts of backgrounds and countries and cultures. I have really enjoyed connecting with people from all walks of life and different corners of the world, that I wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to do.

Is there something that may surprise people about you? Something that might surprise people about me is that I am an avid traveler. Whenever there is a vacation or even a long weekend, you will probably see me in a new city, new state or even a new country.

What are your future plans after completing your Phd? After completing my degree, I am open to possibilities and opportunities and will see what comes my way (after taking a long much-needed vacation).

What innovations/discoveries do you hope to see (or be a part of!) in the next ten years?  I hope to see and be part of finding more sustainable ways to provide energy and protect the environment. I think we can definitely do better.

Audie Lee PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

“Think you are the best” my advisor, Dr. Qiming Wang, said. Delivering my screening exam presentation, I shrank and choke before committee members. Everyone could readily figure out I was frozen solid. After it ended, my advisor kindly explained me in detail why I should be or, at least, try to look confident when presenting my idea (basically, no one buys yours when you don’t look like buying yours), and the best way to do so is to think I am the best. At that time, I could understand why he had sometimes told me “Audie, you are smart” or “you are doing great” in the lab – an aha moment. He had been planting seeds of confidence in me for about two years (gosh, I was too dull to figure it out early). Well, in fact, this advice itself is one that everyone can give out easily. But that advice from him reflects his long observation and thoughtfulness towards me – the best piece of advice.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

  If my future children say ‘I wanna become a grown-up like my dad,’ that must be the greatest accomplishment ever in my life.

What's your favorite impulse purchase from the past 12 months?

Some Nintendo Switch game cartridges – I don’t have Nintendo Switch and have no plan to get one lol Doesn’t this make you laugh already? Well, just thinking “Someday I’m gonna play it so hard” makes me feel better when I get stressed. I didn’t purchase just a bunch of game cartridges, instead, I bought a collection of (well-sugarcoated) mood shifters.

Please describe a little about your research and what excites you about it.

My research fields include mechanics, wave propagation, metamaterials, and some novel structures. Does it sound like civil engineering topics? Most people usually think that civil engineering is all about soils, rocks, construction, earthquakes, and water. Right, but not ‘all.’ Surprisingly, due to many efforts for interdisciplinary research, the intersection area between research fields has been emerging wide – and that’s where something new is likely to come about. I mix civil engineering, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, and physics all together to bridge novel ideas with reality. Becoming an explorer looking for a treasure chest full of groundbreaking ideas, doesn’t it excite you?

If you could choose any other profession outside of engineering or computer science, what would it be? 

Paleontology. Trojans love Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones, right? Forget that Dr. Jones is actually an archeologist. Harrison Ford in Jurassic Park, that’s what I want to be in my second life. Hmm, Han Solo in Jurassic Park is also not a bad idea.

What are some factors that helped you decide to pursue your PhD at USC?

Support from USC. USC always tries its best to offer students an optimal environment for research. Especially, I have been more than just satisfied with the assistantship that USC provides. With all concerns about money-related issues excluded, I can only focus on my research during my Ph.D. career. I profoundly appreciate USC and proud alumni for their financial support.

If you were to recommend to an incoming student 3 places to go in California/Los Angeles, what would they be?

Griffith Observatory: While many tourists perceive it as just one of the popular places in L.A., it comes to me as something like home where I can freely visit and blow away all the stress with the cool breeze, looking at the grid of the city.

El Taurino: It’s one of the best Mexican restaurants in L.A. Luckily, it’s right next to USC. Just go try burritos there. Further words are a waste of ink.

UCLA Rose Bowl: Watching Trojans vs. Bruins football match at Rose Bowl is the best thing you can do in L.A. – Trojans never lose.

What is a memory you'll cherish about your time at USC?

In early 2020, a tragedy visited my family, and I was withering away like barley plants during the Dust Bowl period. But my Ph.D. colleagues and USC staffs picked me up from the dust swamp. Their support was the rope of hope I could hold on to get out of that depression. It was the spirit of ‘Together We Fight On.’ This memory will never fade away.

What's one thing about you that might surprise me?

Nothing. My life has been boring, especially during the COVID-19 period.

What are your plans after graduation?

Pursuing postdoctoral researcher position and faculty position.

Hometown (city, country):

Busan, South Korea

Personal Website (if any):

  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ audielee/

Faculty Advisor:

Dr. Qiming Wang

Preetham Manjunatha PhD in Civil engineering

It was given by my mother, "Whatever difficult scenario arises in your life, you should not lose your inner self".

Gaining a small amount of knowledge that lasts forever and pursuing a Ph.D. and two master's degrees at the same time.

I bought a dozen of shirts that I purchased the next day after purchasing a single shirt from a French company, Celio.

The interest in doing research and problem-solving. Also, an immense love of mathematical aspects of Finite Element Analysis (FEA), a structural analysis method, and structural dynamics.

The places which I liked most are Yosemite, Griffith observatory, and Venice beach.

I have several memories, to name some: the first memory was when the Master's thesis committee mentioned that the thesis was the best one they have seen. The second was mentoring master's students from Viterbi CS and EE departments. Third, was when pursuing my first master's degree, the visits to USC, Traditions with friends during the weekends.

That I am a good cook (my friends say that all the time). I love to cook food, I made my first recipes (lentil stew/curry and deep-fried chicken kabab) when I was 10 years old.

City is Mysore, and the country is India.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ pmanjunatha/

Professor Sami F. Masri.

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Ph.D. Program

The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) program is an intensive research where each student plans an individualized course of study with the assistance of a special committee made up of faculty members representing major and minor areas of study.

Candidates for the Ph.D. degree are expected to demonstrate mastery of knowledge in a specific subject area in Civil and Environmental engineering and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making original and substantial contributions to their discipline in a timely fashion. Please see the  Assessment page  for further details. Program standards are set by the Graduate School and can be found within the Code of Legislation.

The application requirements, tuition rates, and deadline for the Ph.D. programs are listed on the Graduate School's website . We will start to accept applications for the Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 term in September. Applicants applying for Spring 2024 may be deferred to the Fall 2024 term.  Connect with us  to receive more information about future application deadlines.

Research Areas

Research in Civil & Environmental Engineering covers an extremely broad range of topics.

Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology M.S. & Ph.D.

Environmental processes m.s. & ph.d., environmental and water resource engineering m.s. & ph.d..

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Structural Engineering (Ph.D. only)

  • Transportation Systems Engineering M.S. & Ph.D
  • Financial Aid

All Ph.D. students are fully funded (tuition, stipend, and health insurance). The funding comes from a variety of sources including graduate research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and external and internal fellowships. All students are encouraged to apply for external fellowships where eligible . For policy and tax information, please visit the Graduate School financial aid page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

CEE FAQ Graduate School admissions FAQ Office of Global Learning (for international students) FAQ  

  • Civil and Environmental Graduate Field Handbook

This handbook is intended as a guide for current and prospective CEE graduate students to map the procedures and forms necessary for successful completion of graduate research degree requirements. 

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Testimonial by

Qi Zhou

Engineers solve the world's most pressing problems and make an impact on people's life. It was my dream to contribute to the solution of the environmental problems all over the world, so I opted to become an environmental engineer as I entered college

phd programs for civil engineering

Transportation Systems Engineering M.S. & Ph.D.

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PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD program at Northeastern University is flexible and may be adapted to any subject area in civil and environmental engineering. The Graduate School of Engineering also offers an interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy degree involving substantial work in two or more academic departments or disciplines ( Interdisciplinary Engineering, PhD ).

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Innovative Curriculum

Students admitted to the program are involved in cutting edge research, often interdisciplinary, in all areas of civil and environmental engineering. Awarding of the Doctor of Philosophy degree is based on ability to formulate, execute, and communicate original research as well as have strong performance in course work.

For more information on the structure and requirements of the doctoral program, please see the  Graduate Catalog or contact the Civil and Environmental Engineering Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.

  • Ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems.
  • Ability to explain and apply engineering principles.
  • Ability to identify, motivate, formulate, and solve important problems, through original, independent, use-inspired scholarly research.

Funding is available for graduate students focused on research in the form of graduate research assistantships, graduate teaching assistantships, and fellowships.

  • CEE Chair’s Select Stipend for Professional Development Awarded for merit, incoming Ph.D. students have the opportunity to receive for their personal professional development one-time  stipend funds of $5,000. These funds provide agency for the students to pursue significant professional development at key junctures in their program.
  • CEE Professional Development Fund Once enrolled, all Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD students have the opportunity to apply to receive funds for reimbursement of allowable professional development expenses. These funds provide agency for the students to pursue additional professional development during their program.
  • PhD Network Travel Funding Match The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering provides matching funding to the Ph.D. Network and research project for travel support, up to $500/student per year.
  • CEE Department Graduate Awards and Ceremony Departmental awards for excellence in research, teaching, and leadership, with monetary honorariums, are awarded to selected MS and PhD students at the conclusion of each academic year at the CEE Graduate Awards Ceremony.

The department offers  Graduate Fellowships  to PhD and MS/PhD applicants. These prestigious Graduate Fellowships include integrated research and teaching to foster a comprehensive graduate education. All applicants are considered automatically for the fellowship program. It is strongly recommended that applicants interested in funding within the department via fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

  • Tyler McCormack, PhD'24
  • Nicholas Briggs, PhD'22
  • Nishant Yadav, PhD'23
  • Andrew Summerfield, PhD'21
  • Angelina Jay, PhD'17
  • Learn more.
  • Scholarship Report

Experiential Learning

Northeastern combines rigorous academics with experiential learning and research to prepare students for real world engineering challenges including industry experience as part of the co-op program or an internship. The Cooperative Education Program , also known as a “co-op,” is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of only a few that offers a Co-op Program for graduate students. Through this program, students gain professional experience employed in their field of interest as part of the academic curriculum. Northeastern has over 3,000 co-op employer partners in a wide variety of organizations, from large companies to entrepreneurial start-ups. Students can also participate in the university’s Experiential PhD program .

CEE PhD Workshop

To celebrate the outstanding work of our students, each year a workshop for PhD students is hosted by the department that includes a research expo, professional development presentations, panel discussions on academic and industry careers, and related topics.

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Academic Advising

The Academic Advisors in the Graduate Student Services office can help answer many of your questions and assist with various concerns regarding your program and student record. Use the link below to also determine which questions can be answered by your Faculty Program Advisors and OGS Advisors.

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Admissions & Aid

Ready to take the next step? Review degree requirements to see courses needed to complete this degree. Then, explore ways to fund your education. Finally, review admissions information to see our deadlines and gather the materials you need to Apply.

Student News

phd programs for civil engineering

COE Research Expo Displays Promising Work of PhD Students

The College of Engineering held a research expo to highlight the work of PhD students. Participants presented their research to a panel of judges and gained critical presentation and communication skills. They also displayed their research during the poster showcase and students were recognized with awards.

phd programs for civil engineering

Engineers Without Borders Experience Leads to Pursuit of an MS in Engineering and Public Policy

Melanie Marino, MS in Engineering and Public Policy, and PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering, was drawn to advance her education in public policy after a trip with Engineers Without Borders to Tanzania, which required working with the local government to help a village with an unreliable supply of electricity.   

phd programs for civil engineering

Sustainability and Data Sciences Laboratory Invited to Present at United Nations HQ

The Sustainability and Data Sciences Laboratory presented at a United Nations event on disaster risk reduction, highlighting the importance of data-driven climate resilience and resilient infrastructure.

phd programs for civil engineering

PhD Spotlight: Sadia Khan, PhD’22 – Civil and Environmental Engineering

Originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sadia Khan graduated from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and served as a lecturer at the University of Asia Pacific in Dhaka. She joined the civil and environmental engineering PhD program at Northeastern in 2017. Under the guidance of Professor Edward Beighley, civil […]

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Phd program.

Civil & Environmental Engineering

Possibilities Engineered

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At the forefront of engineering research, our institution is dedicated to impactful, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research. We take pride in our transformative approach, led by a world-class faculty recognized for their leadership and groundbreaking research contributions. Immerse yourself in our vibrant community, where you'll engage in cutting-edge research and join a world-renowned institution reimagining civil and environmental engineering.

Guided by Expertise: Your Faculty Mentor and Research Advisor

During your admission, you will be paired with a faculty mentor who aligns with your research interests and will serve as your research advisor throughout your doctoral journey. You have the option to indicate a preferred advisor during the application process. 

Welcome to the CEE PhD Graduate Program at CMU, where you can be part of redefining the future of engineering.

Take Your Next Step

Elevate your career prospects with our graduate program. Click 'Apply Now' to get started.

If you have questions about our programs we're here to have a one-on-one chat with you. Just click the meeting links below and set up a meeting that suits you best.

MS Program               PhD Program

If you prefer to send an email: Graduate Admissions Office -  [email protected] .

Informational Session: Graduate Program

Our live-streamed sessions offer an excellent opportunity to address any queries you might have concerning our graduate programs. REGISTER HERE

Research Pathways

Intelligence, engineered systems, and society (iess).

The Intelligent Engineered Systems and Society (IESS) research group empowers you to tackle global challenges like climate change and urbanization through intelligent infrastructure systems. As a doctoral student, you gain skills to help influence policy and develop equitable solutions, immersed in cutting-edge civil and environmental engineering research that addresses these challenges head-on, preparing you for impactful careers.

IESS PhD Program Information

Climate Resilient Environmental Systems and Technologies (CREST)

The Climate Resilient Environmental Systems and Technologies (CREST) research program shapes aspiring engineers to lead in sustainable environmental solutions. With a focus on climate adaptation, water systems, and innovative technologies, our interdisciplinary approach equips you with expertise in cutting-edge methods like data analytics, AI, and risk assessment.

As a graduate, you become part of developing real-world solutions for environmental engineering's future amidst the challenges of a changing climate.

CREST PhD Program Information

Sustainable Energy and Transportation Systems (SETS)

The Sustainable Energy and Transportation Systems (SETS) PhD program molds the next generation of engineers into adept researchers through transformative education and pioneering research. Anchored in smart mobility and advanced energy systems, our interdisciplinary curriculum equips students with cross-cutting methodologies for innovative energy and transportation infrastructure solutions.

As you complete your doctoral research, you'll emerge as a forward-thinking engineer, empowered to lead sustainability and resilience efforts across the evolving energy and transportation landscape, leaving a lasting impact in both private and public sectors.

SETS PhD Program Information

Mechanics, Chemistry, and Materials (MCM)

The Mechanics, Chemistry, and Materials (MCM) PhD program leads interdisciplinary exploration in civil and environmental engineering. Our accomplished researchers specialize in mechanics, chemistry, and materials, leveraging classical and quantum mechanics to address challenges through innovative modeling techniques, bench experiments, and fieldwork.

This program equips you to comprehend material behaviors, optimize them for diverse applications, and contribute to sustainable advancements in civil and environmental engineering while addressing contemporary issues.

MCM PhD Program Information

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Program Structure

Direct entry and advanced entry, direct entry.

Direct entry PhD students holding an undergraduate engineering or related technical field degree from an accredited institution can apply directly for the program. Direct entry students can complete the requirements for the MS degree before beginning PhD studies.

Advanced Entry 

If you already hold a master’s degree in engineering or a related technical field, you may enter the program as an advanced entry student and begin your PhD studies immediately.

PhD Research Assistantships

When you join the CEE PhD Graduate Program at CMU, you're not just pursuing a doctoral degree but stepping into a world of unparalleled support.

Tuition Coverage : Your academic path begins with the assurance of full tuition coverage.

Generous Stipends : Besides tuition, we provide a generous living stipend that supports your daily life and allows you to focus on your studies.

Unique Opportunities : Our program offers you the chance to secure a research assistantship—an opportunity that covers your tuition and provides a stipend for your living expenses. Rest assured that all applicants are automatically considered for this assistantship, which can extend for up to five years, contingent upon your satisfactory progress toward degree completion.

As a part of this assistantship, you'll dedicate approximately 20 hours per week to teaching and research activities. This hands-on experience is integral to your graduate education.

Beyond assistantships, many of our international and US students have achieved distinction by securing prestigious fellowships from various organizations. Your journey with us opens doors to these opportunities.

Learn About External Funding Opportunities

CMU Rales Fellow Program

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The CMU Rales Fellows Program eliminates financial obstacles for underrepresented STEM leaders, inspiring progress and enabling over 80 annual fellows in advanced STEM education through partnerships like the Ron Brown Scholar Program and the National GEM Consortium.

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Civil Engineering PhD

At CU Denver, we offer two options within the civil engineering PhD program: the doctor of philosophy in civil engineering is a technical degree intended for students with an undergraduate degree in engineering, and the doctor of philosophy in civil engineering systems is a more flexible degree intended for students with undergraduate degrees in other fields such as science, mathematics, or economics. This program is administered jointly with the University of Colorado Boulder.

Areas of Study

Students enrolled in the civil engineering PhD program may choose from five areas of study.

  • Civil engineering systems
  • Transportation engineering
  • Hydrologic, environmental, and sustainability engineering
  • Structural engineering

Degree requirements

Students must hold an earned master's degree before they can be admitted to a doctoral program in the Department of Civil Engineering; there is no direct admission from a bachelor's program to the doctoral program. However, a student enrolled in a master's program may apply for the doctoral program before the master's degree is granted, as long as the master's degree is conferred before they enroll as a doctoral student at CU Denver.

Degree components

The PhD in civil engineering systems requires the completion of at least 60 credit hours, including at least 30 dissertation research hours and at least 30 credit hours of coursework relevant to the student’s dissertation research. Nine (9) credit hours must be completed at CU Boulder.

Doctoral students may transfer up to 15 credit hours toward their required coursework, but not for dissertation hours. Students who complete their master’s degree at CU Denver or CU Boulder may transfer up to 21 credit hours. 

Students must pass a preliminary examination, complete a comprehensive exam and orally defend their dissertation before a committee of at least five faculty members: two from Boulder and three from Denver.

Civil Engineering PhD rules (pdf)

Preliminary Exam Guidelines (pdf)

Comprehensive Exam Guidelines (pdf)

Prerequisite coursework

Prerequisites  apply to this degree program and should be completed before more than 12 credit hours of doctoral coursework is completed. Current master’s students may apply to the doctoral program at any point after they begin to earn their master’s degree course work. 

Coursework Assessment Form  

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PhD—Doctoral Study

Earn Your Doctorate from a Globally-Ranked Program

The Duke Civil Engineering & Environmental Engineering PhD program offers you opportunities to develop your research skills in close collaboration with our world-renowned experts in:

  • Environmental toxicology
  • Computational mechanics
  • Geomechanical modeling and characterization
  • Risk engineering

And, it's all just a part of Duke's uniquely interdisciplinary environment.

How to APPLY

  • Application instructions
  • Application deadlines—all Duke and Duke Engineering PhD programs
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Excellent Outcomes

Our graduates go on to great things. About 34% of Duke CEE PhD grads go on to academic careers, many at some of the world's pre-eminent research institutions. About 44% go on to careers and leadership roles in industry and government.

More about where Duke CEE PhD grads go »

Study Tracks

At Duke CEE, you can choose your path from among these study tracks :

  • Computational Mechanics and Scientific Computing
  • Engineering Environmental Geomechanics and Geophysics
  • Systems, Risk and Decision
  • Hydrology and Fluid Dynamics

Degree Requirements

  • 30 units of coursework
  • 2 semesters of teaching assistant experience
  • Dissertation and defense
  • Final examination

How to Apply

By choosing Duke, you join an engaged, diverse and welcoming community that values and supports you. Apply online:

  • Fall semester admission deadlines

How to apply

Program Details

Those considering a PhD in civil and environmental engineering should be individuals interested in specialized research. We provide opportunities for students to publish with their faculty adviser, to present research at professional conferences, and to explore their field in a highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary working environment.

Doctoral (PhD) students admitted to the program can expect to have tuition and stipend support for the duration of their studies, contingent on demonstrated progress toward their degrees. The typical doctoral program is five (5) years.

Through programs like PhD Plus , students learn essential skills for their professional careers. Professional interests most often are realized through research and technology development careers.

Benefits for PhD Students

  • Direct admission to a research group
  • 100 percent financial support during the duration of your studies, plus national and international travel opportunities
  • Dedicated career development support, such as our innovative PhD Plus program
  • Representation in SAGE , our graduate student association

Day One Mentorship

Advising and early introduction to research and to your research community are hallmarks of the Duke CEE PhD experience. We believe in mentorship from Day One!

The process of finding your research adviser begins before you are admitted. Once you apply, our faculty may contact you. We then invite highly qualified applicants to interview. You'll meet our faculty and see their labs before a formal offer is made.

Once you are admitted, we help you assemble your Advising Team. Your team will include your research adviser, your departmental adviser, the director of graduate studies, a five-member dissertation committee, and the department chair.

Our Day One matching of students with research advisers and our strong mentorship program helps to keep the time to Ph.D. at an average of 4.5 to 5 years, while giving you a team of expert collaborators to guide you toward your goals.

Authentic Opportunities to Learn Mentorship Through Mentoring

In preparation for your role as a research mentor, Duke Engineering actively encourages and supports efforts by its PhD students to mentor undergraduates in research work.

Our PhD students can register to serve as a mentor and post a research project to a university-wide directory of research opportunities for undergraduates: Muser .

As mentors, our PhD students build professional mentoring relationships with undergraduates, while increasing undergraduate involvement in research—one of the hallmarks of a Duke Engineering education.

Welcoming, Inclusive Community

By choosing Duke, you join an engaged, diverse and welcoming community that values and supports you. You'll notice the importance we place on faculty-student interaction. And you have representation in SAGE , our graduate student association.

World-Class Research

Duke CEE faculty members are engaged in a wide range of efforts to improve the resilience of engineered structures, develop advanced computer models of complex natural phenomena and investigate approaches to predicting, monitoring and managing human impacts on air, water, land and global cycles--and environmental effects on human health.

Our faculty engineering researchers work closely and collaboratively other Duke faculty in physics, chemistry, computer science and in the nearby Duke University Nicholas School of Environment . This breadth of expertise is reflected in all our research programs listed below. Click to find out more and read researcher biographies:

Research Areas

A great location.

Our engineering campus is next to one of the nation's leading academic medical centers. Plus, the Duke campus is just miles from Research Triangle Park (RTP) , home to more than 200 major private tech companies and public agencies – including a large U.S. Environmental Protection Agency laboratory, a USDA Forest Service research station, and a location of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Plus, you'll enjoy a mild climate, acclaimed restaurants, a thriving arts scene and an affordable cost of living. Your Duke degree can take you anywhere in the United States and beyond. Some students choose to remain in our Research Triangle region, which is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the United States.

Visit Duke's website dedicated to all things Durham .

We Accept Students Without CEE Undergraduate Backgrounds

Admitted students with academic backgrounds outside of civil and environmental engineering may need to take some CEE undergraduate level courses in order to be prepared for graduate level coursework. Some of these courses may be counted towards the MS or PhD degree requirements. Please consult with the director of graduate studies.

This department offers study tracks across both civil and environmental engineering. Each track is associated with a sequence of regularly-offered core courses that parallel the research interests of our faculty.

Duke CEE provides a customized, flexible educational experience tailored to meet your needs in your chosen sub-discipline. In our program, you will progress from introductory classes to specialized coursework. As you learn, your focus will gradually shift from coursework to learning important leadership and research skills.

  • 30 course credits (15 credits from core courses based on study track and 15 course credits related to the student’s area of research)
  • Strongly encouraged to participate in the department's  Graduate Colloquium
  • Establish and meet with Preliminary Exam Committee (PEC)  [Download Committee approval form ]
  • Complete Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training
  • Pass the Research Proposal Defense [Download Outcome Form]
  • Complete a Teaching Assistantship - TA guidelines
  • Complete and defend a dissertation - [Download Defense forms , dissertation guidelines , evaluation rubric ]
  • Pass a final examination

In addition to fulfilling departmental course requirements, students are encouraged to take advantage of the variety of courses across the university to broaden their education. Such courses do need to be approved by a preliminary exam committee before the preminary exam is taken, and by the adviser after this exam. 

Students who are pursuing a PhD may, after completing the credit requirements for the MS degree, formally apply for an MS degree. Typically an MS thesis, a defense and an MS exam are required. Full tuition payment for a total of five (5) or six (6) or semesters is required.

Students Entering with Master of Science (MS) Degree Completed

Students entering the PhD program with an MS degree, can, with approval of the Preliminary Exam Committee (PEC), the director of graduate studies, and the dean of The Graduate School, transfer up to 12 relevant course credits from the previous institution. Full tuition payment for a total of five (5) semesters is then required.

Admissions Profile

The Pratt School of Engineering requires a minimum GPA of 3.2 from an undergraduate program in order to gain admission to the PhD program. A minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the Internet-based test is also required. Average GRE scores and UGPA from recent admitted applicants are:

  • GRE Quantitative: 161
  • GRE Verbal: 160

Preliminary Examination

  • A written test based on core courses taken by the student
  • A five-page minimum written research based proposal by the student, on a topic of their choice, which can be started at any time during their stay at Duke
  • An oral defense of the research proposal and follow-up questions to their answers on the written exam   

The Preliminary Exam Committee (PEC) of three (3) faculty members meets with the student during their first few semesters to review their background, and make certain that they take courses such that they are prepared for the written portion of the preliminary exam. The preliminary exam itself is administered by faculty members in the student's study track.

The oral examination will normally be held before the end of the student's third semester from matriculation.   

Students must ultimately pass each of the three (3) components of the preliminary exam, but are allowed to retake any portion of the exam, depending on the support of the faculty.

Students become PhD candidates upon passing a Preliminary Exam, to be administered by their PhD Committee.

Graduate Colloquium

In addition to the course credits listed and discussed above, each graduate student in the department is encouraged to participate in the departmental seminar called Colloquium on Mechanics and the Environment.

A colloquium consists of a series of seminars and is offered in both the fall and spring terms. The faculty of the university, visiting scientists, and senior graduate students give the seminars. Additionally, workshops for PhD students focused on helping them prepare for the preliminary exam may be organized as part of these colloquia.

The faculty strongly encourages all graduate students to attend as many Graduate Colloquium seminars as possible, as exposure to novel ideas, research methodologies, and results from broadly or even remotely related fields is enriching and stimulating, and develops a critical sense of what constitutes an effective presentation.

Research Proposal Defense

The purpose of this defense is to evaluate a student's readiness before proceeding with doctoral-level research.

A committee must be identified and approved by the director of graduate studies and The Graduate School at least 30 days in advance.

Part 1: Research Proposal

The student must submit a Research Proposal, in written form, to all members of the committee.  This document:

  • Defines the objectives of the proposed research
  • Includes a survey and analysis of pertinent literature, with a focus on what is apparently missing in the literature and the student's anticipated contributions
  • Describes the research tasks to be completed including theory development, data collection, analysis, and documentation
  • Suggests a schedule for completion of the research

The goal of this proposal is to successfully provide the groundwork for all future doctoral research. This Research Proposal should be made available for review by members of the committee at least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled oral presentation.

Part 2: Oral Defense

The student must provide an oral defense of the Research Proposal detailed in Part 1. This should take the form of an oral presentation given to all members of the committee, with the presentation designed to take approximately half an hour. The committee will evaluate the oral defense, as well as the student's readiness to undertake the proposed research.

The committee will rely on both parts of the Research Proposal Defense, as well as grades in graduate courses at Duke, to evaluate the student's potential to successfully complete the doctoral research program.

The outcome of Part 2 of the Research Proposal Defense is to be determined by vote of the members of the PhD Committee. Only two outcomes are possible: 1). The student passes and may continue with the proposed doctoral research; or, 2). The student fails. Students who fail the exam may apply, with the consent of the committee and the director of graduate studies, for the privilege of a second examination to be taken no sooner than three (3) months after the date of the first exam. Successful completion of the second exam requires the unanimous vote of all PhD Committee members.

Failure on the second examination renders the student ineligible to continue in the PhD program.

Teaching Assistantships – Training Provided

All PhD students complete two semesters of Teaching Assistantship (TA) prior to graduation. We provide training before you enter an undergraduate classroom for the first time .

It is expected that you will complete this requirement during your third (3rd) through eighth (8th) semesters. TA assignments will be based on your background and interests, and department needs.

Teaching Assistantships require 10 hours per week on average, and may involve organizing and leading discussion sections, grading homework and quizzes, assisting in the development of course materials and supervising laboratory sessions. More information

The final examination is normally administered by the same committee as the Research Proposal Defense, and successful defense of the dissertation requires at least four (4) affirmative votes, including the affirmative vote of the dissertation advisor. A negative vote by the dissertation advisor means that the student fails.

Details concerning important dates and deadlines, format of the dissertation/thesis, filing of intention to graduate, committee approval, and additional details may be found in the Graduate Bulletin or at The Graduate School website .

construction engineers discussing construction project

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering

Lead the way in ideating, designing and building tomorrow’s infrastructure, or educating future engineers.

Infrastructure has reached a tipping point where aging buildings, bridges, highways, waterways and other structures urgently need technical civil engineering expertise and new ideas to solve today’s challenges. A doctoral degree from UND offers the knowledge and skills you need to elevate your civil engineering skills and knowledge for greater opportunities in private and public sectors, or education.

Why earn a Ph.D. in civil engineering?

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Civil engineers experience no shortage of exciting challenges, growth prospects and a wide range of fascinating specialties to choose from. For those pursuing academia, the opportunity to shape and mold future engineering minds will have an enormous impact on tomorrow's infrastructure designs and structures.

This UND graduate program offers the highest advanced study in civil engineering with opportunities to either choose a career path aimed at a senior-level manager or research leader position, or as an educator in higher education. You'll gain the highest level of skills and expertise related to your chosen specialty or area. Most Civil Engineering Ph.D. students are funded by GRA/GTA and provided with tuition waivers.

UND's Ph.D. in Civil Engineering

Elevate your skills with specialized training customized to meet your interests and goals.

Gain a broad-based education with a curriculum that includes traditional study, multidisciplinary exposure and high-quality research.

Work with a committed faculty team to discover the area of most interest, and explore research and opportunities.

Study at a Carnegie Doctoral Research Institution ranked #151 by the NSF. Students are an integral part of UND research.

Enhance your professional skills at 60+ free workshops offered through the UND School of Graduate Studies. Our goal is to provide you with the workforce skills and job search strategies to succeed.

Gain a competitive edge through UND's Accelerate to Industry (A2i) ™ program. This workforce readiness program provides immersive job training for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. It is one of only 30 programs nationwide.

What can you do with a Ph.D. in civil engineering?

Students gain the fullest understanding of engineering design with the advanced skills that many global companies in the public and private sector value in their search for top civil engineering talent. For those seeking a career in academia, a Ph.D. offers the ideal path to success.

UND graduates can expect a range of opportunities in many specialties such as:

  • Project Management
  • Construction
  • Environmental
  • Transportation
  • Geotechnical

UND Civil Engineering alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson, Inc.
  • WSB & Associates, Inc.
  • Bolton & Menk, Inc.
  • Burns & McDonnell, Inc.

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering Courses

CE 502. Structural Stability. 3 Credits.

Concept of stability; equilibrium and energy methods; stability of columns, beam columns, and frames; inelastic buckling; stability by slope deflection and matrix methods; use of codes for the stability design of aluminum and steel columns and frames; torsional and lateral torsional buckling of beams and beam columns. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of mechanics of materials; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. On demand.

CE 503. Structural Dynamics. 3 Credits.

Single-degree and multi-degree of freedom systems; continuous systems; free and forced vibrations; harmonic and periodic excitations; viscous and non-viscous damping; pulse excitations; numerical methods for dynamic response; earthquake response of linear elastic buildings; structural dynamics in building codes. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of mechanics of materials and dynamics; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. On demand.

CE 517. Transportation Asset Management. 3 Credits.

Course focused on the principles of transportation asset management with an emphasis on pavement management system (PMS). Network- and project-level pavement management processes will be discussed, but the emphasis will be on network-level. Bridge management system will also be covered. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of mechanics of materials and statistics; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. F, even years.

CE 518. Pavement Engineering. 3 Credits.

Structural pavement design concepts for flexible and rigid pavements; traffic and environmental loading factors; material characterization; hot mix asphalt design and analysis concepts, SuperPave mix design method, stresses and strains in flexible and rigid pavements, joints and load transfer of rigid pavements, fast track concrete, and construction issues. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of soil mechanics; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and graduate student blackboard site; consent of instructor for undergraduate students. F.

CE 524. Open Channel Hydraulics. 3 Credits.

Study of advanced topics in open channel hydraulics. Computer applications. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of hydraulic engineering; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. F.

CE 536. Environmental Chemistry. 3 Credits.

Water chemistry in unit Operation and process design for water and wastewater treatment; physical, chemical, and biological systems; plant design project, computer-assigned design analysis. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of introductory environmental engineering; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. F.

Online Civil Engineering Ph.D.

best online university in the nation

best online graduate programs

Flexible Online Civil Engineering Ph.D. Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Civil Engineering Ph.D. Research for Online Students

Online Civil Engineering Ph.D. candidates are expected to perform cutting edge research. You must be selected by a research faculty member to join their research group or act as advisor. You will be required to complete research work in person. The research facility could be at your own location depending on the project and thesis topic. You'll work with your faculty advisor to determine how much of the program can be completed online.

Top-Tier Civil Engineering Ph.D. Online

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs. No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree:  All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) . Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction:  You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor:  As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring:  We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching:  Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access:  Dig into virtual research from the Chester Fritz Library. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support:  UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Check out the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

  • Department of Civil Engineering
  • Find Similar Programs

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Ph.D. - Civil Engineering 

There are two basic requirements for an applicant to meet:

  • An applicant must exhibit unmistakable evidence of penetrating mastery of a rather broad major field; such evidence is ordinarily provided by a Qualifying Examination, after which the applicant is fully admitted to the Ph.D. program.
  • A candidate must prove an ability to complete a significant program of original research by preparing a dissertation embodying creative scholarship, dissertation proposals are generally approved by passing the General Defense. The dissertation must add to the sum of existing knowledge and it must be presented with considerable literary skill, evaluated by a rigorous and comprehensive Final Doctoral Defense. 

All students are strongly encouraged to review and follow the PhD in Civil Engineering Program Checklist.

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination is to be scheduled preferably by the end of the first year of full time study, and definitely by the start of the second year. A Qualifying Examination consists of a written examination and/or an oral examination administered by the Ph.D. Advisory Committee to test the student's knowledge and capacity to pursue a doctoral degree in their respective research area. Generally, a graduate student is not formally admitted into the departments Ph.D. program until a qualifying examination has been passed. The Qualifying Exam should be requested through the department via form G105 . This is a two-part form. Once the exam request is approved by the Civil Engineering Graduate Programs Committee (CEGPC), the student may move forward with scheduling the exam. After conclusion of the exam, the committee will complete and sign the second half of the G105 and the student will submit it for final approval by the CEGPC.

Advisory Committee

The student’s advisory committee is charged with administering all phases of the student’s Ph.D. program towards the doctorate degree. The student, in consultation with the major professor, will recommend the members of the advisory committee to the department via form G101: Graduate Degree Program .

In forming the advisory committee, the following requirements apply:

  • The advisory committee must comprise at least three (3) members of the graduate faculty, including the major professor, who acts as chair or co-chair and who must have a minimum of a 25% appointment in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.
  • If either an adjunct or a non-tenure track faculty member is the major professor, a full-time tenured or tenure-track graduate faculty member must co-chair the committee.
  • At least one-half (1/2) of the graduate faculty on doctoral committees must be full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty at LSU A&M. A minimum of two (2) of those faculty members must be from the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and at least one (1) of whom must be a full member (also listed as "Seven Year Member") of the LSU graduate faculty.
  • The remaining members may be from the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering or may be from outside the department if pertinent to the student’s area of concentration, with the proviso that at least one (1) of the remaining members must be a full member of the graduate faculty.
  • Any declared outside minors require representation, either from among the first three members of the committee or by additional appointments to the committee
  • No more than one (1) non-graduate faculty requiring Administrative Approval can serve on a student’s Advisory Committee.
  • The Dean of the Graduate School appoints a member of the graduate faculty to serve on doctoral general and final defense committees (Dean's Representative). The name and contact information of this Dean's Rep will be communicated to the student prior to the date of the General Defense. The student is then responsible for contacting the Dean's Rep.

To view the list of the graduate faculty at LSU A&M, please visit https://webn01.apps.lsu.edu/GradFaculty/ . If you know that one of your committee members will require Administrative Approval, please contact the Graduate Programs Coordinator as soon as possible to begin the approval process. 

Graduate Degree Program Form

Upon successful completion of the Qualifying Exam, students should work with their faculty advisor to map out their course work. To do this, students must complete and submit the G101: Graduate Degree Program for approval by the CEGPC .

A student's plan of study is subject to the following requirements:

  • Students with a bachelor's degree and without a master's degree are required to earn a minimum of forty-two (42) credit hours of course work plus one (1) credit hour for the CE 7750 seminar course, exclusive of thesis and dissertation credit. These should be graduate credit courses taught by members of the graduate faculty (for a list of civil engineering graduate faculty, go to the Graduate School website). Not less than 21 credit hours of these hours should be in civil engineering subjects. At least one-half (1/2) of the minimum required graduate course work must be at or above the 7000 level. Full time graduate students should register for the one (1) credit hour seminar class (CE 7750) each and every semester. Part-time graduate students are required to register for this seminar only in their graduating semester (note: CE 7750 is not offered in the summer. Therefore, part-time students planning to graduate in the summer should take CE 7750 in the spring semester). Only one (1) hour of CE 7750 may be applied to satisfy the course requirements.
  • Students entering a Ph.D. program with a Master's degree from LSU or another institution must take a minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours of course work plus one (1) credit hour for the CE 7750 seminar course, exclusive of thesis and dissertation credit. Not less than nine (9) credit hours of these hours should be in civil engineering subjects. Subject to approval of the advisory committee and the CEGPC, students transferring from doctoral programs of other institutions can transfer a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours of course work.
  • Students should also select six (6) hours of graduate work to provide them with a tool such as computer science, mathematics, geology , etc.
  • Students should select an area of concentration in one of the traditional areas of civil engineering (i.e., environmental engineering, water resources, geotechnical engineering, structures, mechanics of materials, transportation).
  • A maximum of 6 credit hours of CE 7700 and 6 credit hours of CE 7701 can be counted toward a student's degree. 
  • After the student's advisor and committee has approved and signed both parts of the G105 and the  G101 , the student should submit the forms to the Graduate Coordinator for approval by the CEGPC. 

General Defense and Doctoral Degree Audit

  • This defense will be administered only after the candidate has satisfactorily prepared the dissertation proposal.
  • The Request for Doctoral General Defense  form is to be filed with the Graduate School via the Graduate Program Coordinator at least three (3) weeks prior to date of the defense. This form can be found on the Graduate School website .
  • A dissertation proposal with G103 cover page  should be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator at the same time of the Request for Doctoral General Defense (see information below regarding preparing the proposal).
  • The general defense will be both written and oral. Part of the oral presentation will be the student's proposal for their dissertation.
  • The student's advisory committee will decide the results of the defense (pass, fail, or retake) and no more than one member of the committee should be dissenting in deciding the acceptance of the student for candidacy.  

Dissertation and Final Doctoral Defense

A principal part of the students Ph.D. program is the dissertation. Each candidate must meet the following requirements:

Cover Page ( Form G103 ) Abstract (not more than 200 words) Introduction Literature Review Objectives/Method Scope of Study (state limitations) Work Plan and Schedule References

  • Students should plan to review the progress of their dissertation research periodically with their advisory committee.
  • The Request for Final Doctoral Defense  form (found on the Graduate School website) is to be filed with the Graduate School via the Graduate Program Coordinator at least three (3) weeks prior to the date of the Final Defense or by the date listed on the Graduate School calendar if the student intends to defend in the same semester in which they will graduate. At the time the student submits their defense request they should also submit their Application for Degree . Both forms should be routed through the Graduate Coordinator.
  • Copies of the dissertation must be in the hands of the student's committee at least three (3) weeks prior to the scheduled defense.
  • Upon successful completion of the final defense, the student should submit their final dissertation to the Graduate School, following the instructions listed on the Graduate School's website . The student is responsible for providing a finalized bound version of the dissertation to the members of their advisory committee. 

An "S" or "U" will be awarded as the final grade for the dissertation. This grade is not averaged into the students semester or cumulative average.

Re-Examination

  • Qualifying Examination: Only under the most unusual circumstances may the student be permitted to retake the qualifying examination, and then only once.
  • General and Final Defense: Both written and oral parts of the general and final defense can be repeated once and re-takes are conducted at the discretion and under the proviso of the student's major professor and committee. 

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UCLA Graduate Programs

Dr. Mahendra and a researcher in her lab

Graduate Program: Civil Engineering

UCLA's Graduate Program in Civil Engineering offers the following degree(s):

Master of Science (M.S.)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

With questions not answered here or on the program’s site (above), please contact the program directly.

Civil Engineering Graduate Program at UCLA Attn: Admission 420 Westwood Plaza 5732 Boelter Hall Box 951593 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1593

Visit the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department’s faculty roster

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Visit the registrar's site for the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department’s course descriptions

  • Admission Requirements
  • Program Statistics

(310) 825-1851

[email protected]

MAJOR CODE: CIVIL ENGINEERING

50 Best Colleges for Civil Engineering – 2024

April 10, 2024

best colleges for civil engineering

Not an election cycle goes by where we do not hear laments about America’s crumbling infrastructure. The heroes-in-waiting ready to design and oversee the construction of the next generation of bridges, roads, airports, sewage systems, and public buildings are civil engineers. Population growth and the continued deterioration of existing structures and systems means that degree earners in this field will continue to find employment opportunities into the foreseeable future. Graduates of the programs that cracked our list of Best Colleges for Civil Engineering emerge with the requisite skills and credentials needed to launch their careers.

Salary Information

Want to know how much money graduates of the best civil engineering colleges make when they begin their careers? For each college listed (and hundreds of additional schools), you can view the starting salaries for civil engineering majors .

Best Colleges for Civil Engineering

Here’s a quick preview of the first civil engineering institutions that made our list. Detailed profiles including academic-oriented and outcomes-based facts and stats can be found when you scroll below.

1) Princeton University

2) Georgia Institute of Technology

3) University of California-Berkeley

4) University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

5) Purdue University-Main Campus

6) Massachusetts Institute of Technology

7) Columbia University

8) Rice University

9) Virginia Tech

10) Texas A & M University-College Station

All of the schools profiled below have stellar reputations in the field of civil engineering and commit substantial resources to undergraduate education. For each of the best civil engineering colleges, College Transitions will provide you with—when available—the university’s:

  • Cost of Attendance
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Median  SAT
  • Median  ACT
  • Retention Rate
  • Graduation Rate

We will also include a longer write-up of each college’s:

  • Academic Highlights – Includes facts like student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, number of majors offered, and most popular majors.
  • Professional Outcomes – Includes info on the rate of positive outcomes, companies employing alumni, and graduate school acceptances.

Princeton University

Princeton University

  • Princeton, NJ

Academic Highlights: 39 majors are available at Princeton. Just under three-quarters of class sections have an enrollment of 19 or fewer students, and 31% have fewer than ten students. Princeton is known for its commitment to undergraduate teaching, and students consistently rate professors as accessible and helpful. The Engineering Department is widely recognized as one of the country’s best, as is the School of Public and International Affairs.

Professional Highlights: Over 95% of a typical Tiger class finds their next destination within six months of graduating. Large numbers of recent grads flock to the fields of business and engineering, health/science, & tech. Companies presently employing hundreds of Tiger alumni include Google, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, IBM, and Meta. The average salary ranges from $40k (education, health care, or social services) to $100k (computer/mathematical positions). Between 15-20% of graduating Tigers head directly to graduate/professional school.

  • Enrollment: 5,604 (undergraduate); 3,238 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $86,700
  • Median SAT: 1540
  • Median ACT: 35
  • Acceptance Rate: 6%
  • Retention Rate: 97%
  • Graduation Rate: 98%

Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Atlanta, GA

Academic Highlights: Georgia Tech’s engineering and computer science programs are at the top of any “best programs” list. Being a large research university, the student-to-faculty ratio is a less-than-ideal 22:1, leading to some larger undergraduate class sections. In fact, 49% of courses had enrollments of more than thirty students in 2022-23. On the other end of the spectrum, 8% of sections had single-digit enrollments. In terms of total number of degrees conferred, the most popular areas of study are engineering (51%), computer science (21%), and business (9%).

Professional Outcomes: More than three-quarters of recent grads had already procured employment by the time they were handed their diplomas. You will find graduates at every major technology company in the world. The median salary reported by that group was $80,000. Many remain on campus to earn advanced engineering degrees through Georgia Tech, but the school’s reputation is such that gaining admission into other top programs including MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Berkeley, Stanford, and Caltech.

  • Enrollment: 18,416
  • Cost of Attendance: $29,950 (In-State); $52,120 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1470
  • Median ACT: 33
  • Acceptance Rate: 17%
  • Retention Rate: 98%
  • Graduation Rate: 93%

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Berkeley

  • Berkeley, CA

Academic Highlights: More than 150 undergraduate majors and minors are available across six schools: the College of Letters and Science, the College of Chemistry, the College of Engineering, the College of Environmental Design, the College of Natural Resources, and the Haas School of Business. Many departments have top international reputations including computer science, engineering, chemistry, English, psychology, and economics. 22% of sections contain nine or fewer students, and over 55% of students assist faculty with a research project or complete a research methods course.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduating, 49% of Cal’s Class of 2022 had already secured employment, and 20% were headed to graduate school. Business is the most popular sector, attracting 62% of employed grads; next up are industrial (17%), education (8%), and nonprofit work (7%). The median starting salary was $86,459 across all majors. Thousands of alumni can be found in the offices of Google, Apple, and Meta, and 500+ Golden Bears are currently employed by Oracle, Amazon, and Microsoft. The school is the number one all-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers.

  • Enrollment: 32,831 (undergraduate); 12,914 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $48,574 (in-state); $82,774 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: Test Blind
  • Median ACT: Test Blind
  • Acceptance Rate: 11%
  • Retention Rate: 96%
  • Graduation Rate: 94%

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Champaign-Urbana, IL

Academic Highlights: Eight of UIUC’s fifteen schools cater to undergraduate students. There are 150 academic programs offered, including those at the acclaimed Grainger College of Engineering and Gies College of Business. In sheer volume of degrees conferred, engineering and business/marketing are tied at 19%, followed by the social sciences (9%) and psychology (6%). 39% of sections are capped at 19 students. 29% of undergraduates work with a faculty member on a research project; another 22% have some type of fieldwork, practicum, or clinical experience.

Professional Outcomes: 95% of the members of the Class of 2022 landed at their next destination within six months of graduation, with 38% matriculating directly into an advanced degree program. 57% were employed full-time; the most popular sectors were finance, consulting, healthcare, electronics, and education. Corporations landing the most recent Illini grads were KPMG, Deloitte, Epic Systems, EY, PwC, and Amazon. The average salary across all Class of 2022 majors was an extremely solid $75,000.

  • Enrollment: 35,120 (undergraduate); 21,796 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $35,926-$41,190 (in-state); $55,386-$63,290 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: 1440
  • Median ACT: 32
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 93%
  • Graduation Rate: 85%

Purdue University — West Lafayette

Purdue University — West Lafayette

  • West Lafayette, IN

Academic Highlights: Purdue offers over 200 majors at ten discipline-specific colleges, and 38% of course sections have an enrollment of 19 or fewer. Engineering and engineering technologies majors earn 34% of the degrees conferred by the university; the College of Engineering cracks the top ten on almost every list of best engineering schools. The Krannert School of Management is also well-regarded by employers; 11% of degrees conferred are in business. Other popular majors include computer science (10%) and agriculture (5%)—both are incredibly strong.

Professional Outcomes: Shortly after receiving their diplomas, 70% of 2022 grads headed to the world of employment while 24% headed to graduate/professional school. The top industries entered by grads in recent years are (1) health care, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices; (2) finance, insurance, and consulting; (3) manufacturing and machinery; (4) airline, aviation, and aerospace. Companies employing the greatest number of recent alumni were Amazon, Deloitte, PepsiCo, Labcorp, Lockheed Martin, and Microsoft. The average starting salary was $68k across all degree programs.

  • Enrollment: 37,949 (undergraduate); 12,935 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $22,812 (in-state); $41,614 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: 1330
  • Median ACT: 31
  • Acceptance Rate: 53%
  • Retention Rate: 91%
  • Graduation Rate: 84%

MIT

  • Cambridge, MA

Academic Highlights: Undergraduates pursue one of 57 majors and 59 minors at this world-class research institution that continues to be one of the world’s most magnetic destinations for math and science geniuses.  The student-to-faculty ratio is an astonishing 3-to-1, and over two-fifths of all class sections have single-digit enrollments, and 70% of courses contain fewer than twenty students. The highest numbers of degrees conferred in 2022 were in the following majors: engineering (31%), computer science and engineering (28%), mathematics (10%), and the physical sciences (7%).

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2023 saw 29% of its members enter the world of employment and 43% continue on their educational paths. The top employers included Accenture, Amazon, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Google, General Motors, the US Navy, Apple, Bain & Company, and McKinsey. The mean starting salary for an MIT bachelor’s degree holder was $95,000. The most frequently attended graduate schools are a who’s who of elite institutions including MIT itself, Stanford, Caltech, Harvard, and the University of Oxford.

  • Enrollment: 4,657
  • Cost of Attendance: $82,730
  • Median SAT: 1550
  • Acceptance Rate: 4%
  • Retention Rate: 99%
  • Graduation Rate: 95%

Columbia University

Columbia University

  • New York, NY

Academic Highlights: Columbia offers 100+ unique areas of undergraduate study as well as a number of pre-professional and accelerated graduate programs.  Class sizes at Columbia are reasonably small and the student-to-faculty ratio is favorable; however, in 2022, it was revealed that the university had been submitting faulty data in this area. It is presently believed that 58% of undergraduate courses enroll 19 or fewer students. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (22%), computer science (15%), engineering (14%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Examining the most recent graduates from Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science, 73% had found employment within six months, and 20% had entered graduate school. The median starting salary for graduates of Columbia College/Columbia Engineering is above $80,000. Many graduates get hired by the likes of Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Google, Citi, McKinsey, and Microsoft.

  • Enrollment: 8,832
  • Cost of Attendance: $89,587

Rice University

Rice University

  • Houston, TX

Academic Highlights : Rice offers more than 50 majors across six broad disciplines: engineering, architecture, music, social science, humanities, and natural science. Programs in biology, biochemistry, cognitive science, and music are incredibly strong, while the School of Architecture and the George R. Brown School of Engineering are among the highest-ranking schools in their disciplines. One-third of computer science majors are female, almost twice the national average. Class sizes are ideally small with 66% containing fewer than 20 students and a median class size of only fourteen.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduation, 88% of Rice grads have found careers or a graduate school home. Companies that employ many recent grads include Deloitte, Capital One, JP Morgan Chase, Google, and Microsoft. Over one hundred alumni are also current employees of companies such as Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Amazon, Accenture, and Meta. Across all majors, the average starting salary is $73k. One-third of graduates move directly into graduate or professional school, with Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, Columbia, and Berkeley being the most popular destinations.

  • Enrollment: 4,494 (undergraduate); 4,178 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $78,278
  • Median SAT: 1530
  • Median SAT: 35
  • Acceptance Rate: 9%
  • Retention Rate: 94%

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

  • Blacksburg, VA

Academic Highlights : Eight undergraduate colleges that offer 110+ distinct bachelor’s degrees are housed within Virginia Tech. 33% of sections contain fewer than 20 students, and 21% of recent graduates report participating in some type of undergraduate research experience. Engineering is the area where the greatest number of degrees are conferred (23%), but business (20%) is a close second. Both disciplines are among the most respected at Tech, along with computer science. Other popular majors include the family and consumer sciences (8%), social sciences (8%), biology (8%), and agriculture (4%).

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 56% of the Class of 2022 were employed and 18% were in graduate school. One recent class sent large numbers to major corporations that included Deloitte (67), KPMG (44), Lockheed Martin (39), Capital One (30), EY (28), Booz Allen Hamilton (18), and Northrop Grumman (12). The median salary for 2022 graduates was $67,000. Among recent grads who decided to pursue an advanced degree, the greatest number stayed at VT, while others enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, William & Mary, Columbia, Duke, and Georgia Tech.

  • Enrollment: 30,434 (undergraduate); 7,736 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $37,252 (in-state); $58,750 (out-of-state)
  • Median ACT: 29
  • Acceptance Rate: 57%
  • Graduation Rate: 87%

Texas A&M University — College Station

Texas A&M University — College Station

  • College Station, TX

Academic Highlights: With nineteen schools and colleges and 130+ undergraduate degree programs, Texas A&M is a massive operation. As the name implies, there is a heavy emphasis on agriculture, engineering, and business, which all place well in national rankings and garner deep respect from major corporations and graduate/professional schools. Class sizes trend large, but 24% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students and personal connections with professors are entirely possible, particularly through the research-oriented LAUNCH program.

Professional Outcomes: On graduation day, 54% of students had already received at least one job offer and 22% were heading to graduate/professional school. Many Aggies go on to work at major oil, tech, and consulting firms; more than 500 are employed at each of ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Chevron, EY, Amazon, Microsoft, Intel, Accenture, and PWC. Starting salaries were strong—on average, College of Engineering grads made $80k and College of Agriculture & Life Sciences grads netted $54k. A&M is also the eighth-largest producer of law students in the entire country.

  • Enrollment: 57,512 (undergraduate); 16,502 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $31,058 (in-state); $59,336 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: 1270
  • Median ACT: 28
  • Acceptance Rate: 63%
  • Retention Rate: 95%

Stanford University

Stanford University

  • Palo Alto, CA

Academic Highlights: Stanford has three undergraduate schools: the School of Humanities & Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the School of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences. 69% of classes have fewer than twenty students, and 34% have a single-digit enrollment. Programs in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, international relations, and economics are arguably the best anywhere. In terms of sheer volume, the greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (17%), computer science (16%), engineering (15%), and interdisciplinary studies (13%).

Professional Outcomes: Stanford grads entering the working world flock to three major industries in equal distribution: business/finance/consulting/retail (19%); computer, IT (19%); and public policy and service, international affairs (19%). Among the companies employing the largest number of recent grads are Accenture, Apple, Bain, Cisco, Meta, Goldman Sachs, Google, McKinsey, Microsoft, and SpaceX. Other companies that employ hundreds of Cardinal alums include LinkedIn, Salesforce, and Airbnb. Starting salaries for Stanford grads are among the highest in the country.

  • Enrollment: 8,049 (undergraduate); 10,236 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $87,833

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin

Academic Highlights: UT Austin offers over 150 majors, including those at the Cockrell School of Engineering, one of the most heralded undergraduate engineering schools around, and The McCombs School of Business, which dominates in the specialty areas of accounting and marketing. The computer science department is also top-ranked. In terms of degrees conferred, engineering is tied with biology (12%) followed by communication (11%), business (11%), and the social sciences (8%). The elite Plan II Honors Program is one of the best in the country.

Professional Outcomes: Within the College of Liberal Arts, six months after graduating, 68% of Longhorns are employed and 24% have entered graduate school. The for-profit sector attracts 65% of those employed while 19% enter public sector employment and 16% pursue jobs at a nonprofit. Major corporations that employ more than 500 UT Austin grads include Google, Meta, Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, and Apple. Engineering majors took home a median income of $79k and business majors took home $70k.

  • Enrollment: 41,309 (undergraduate); 11,075 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $30,752-$34,174 (in-state); $61,180-$69,310 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: 1430
  • Acceptance Rate: 31%
  • Graduation Rate: 88%

Cornell University

Cornell University

Academic Highlights: A diverse array of academic programs includes 80 majors and 120 minors spread across the university’s seven schools/colleges. Classes are a bit larger at Cornell than at many other elite institutions. Still, 55% of sections have fewer than 20 students. Most degrees conferred in 2022 were in computer science (17%), engineering (13%), business (13%), and biology (13%). The SC Johnson College of Business houses two undergraduate schools, both of which have phenomenal reputations.

Professional Outcomes: Breaking down the graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest school at Cornell, 68% entered the workforce, 28% entered graduate school, 1% pursued other endeavors such as travel or volunteer work, and the remaining 3% were still seeking employment six months after receiving their diplomas. The top sectors attracting campus-wide graduateswere financial services (18%), technology (17%), consulting (15%), and education (10%). Of the students from A&S going on to graduate school, 15% were pursuing JDs, 5% MDs, and 22% PhDs.

  • Enrollment: 15,735
  • Cost of Attendance: $88,150
  • Median SAT: 1520
  • Median ACT: 34
  • Acceptance Rate: 7%

Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University

  • Pittsburgh, PA

Academic Highlights: There are a combined 80+ undergraduate majors and 90 minors available across the six schools. Impressively, particularly for a school with more graduate students than undergrads, CMU boasts a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes, with 36% containing single digits. In a given school year, 800+ undergraduates conduct research through the University Research Office. The most commonly conferred degrees are in engineering (21%), computer science (16%), mathematics (12%), business (10%), and visual and performing arts (9%).

Professional Outcomes: By the end of the calendar year in which they received their diplomas, 66% of 2022 grads were employed, and 28% were continuing to graduate school. The companies that have routinely scooped up CMU grads include Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Accenture, McKinsey, and Deloitte. With an average starting salary of $105,194, CMU grads outpace the average starting salary for a college grad nationally. Of those pursuing graduate education, around 20% typically enroll immediately in PhD programs.

  • Enrollment: 7,509
  • Cost of Attendance: $84,412
  • Graduation Rate: 92%

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University

  • Baltimore, MD

Academic Highlights: With 53 majors as well as 51 minors, JHU excels in everything from its bread-and-butter medical-related majors to international relations and dance. Boasting an enviable 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and with 78% of course sections possessing an enrollment under 20, face time with professors is a reality. Many departments carry a high level of clout, including biomedical engineering, chemistry, English, and international studies. Biology, neuroscience, and computer science, which happen to be the three most popular majors, can also be found at the top of the national rankings.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 saw 94% of graduates successfully land at their next destination within six months of exiting the university; 66% of graduates entered the world of employment and a robust 19% went directly to graduate/professional school. The median starting salary across all majors was $80,000 for the Class of 2022. JHU itself is the most popular choice for graduate school. The next most frequently attended institutions included Columbia, Harvard, Yale, and MIT.

  • Enrollment: 6,044
  • Cost of Attendance: $86,065

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

  • Terre Haute, IN

Academic Highlights: Rose-Hulman offers 22 undergraduate degree programs. The average class size is twenty, and 94% of sections are smaller than 29 students. The engineering major accounts for 66% of all degrees conferred, and there’s a good reason for its popularity; this program is viewed among the best by prospective employers and graduate schools nationwide. Unique undergraduate engineering programs include optical engineering and international computer science; CS, in general, is the second-most popular degree program (20%).

Professional Outcomes: With six months of exiting, an enviable 99% of 2022 grads had landed at their next destination, whether employment or graduate school. Top employers of recent graduates included Boston Scientific, Cook Group, Texas Instruments, Caterpillar, Honeywell, and Rolls Royce. Raytheon, Microsoft, and Eli Lilly also have a strong alumni representation. The average first-year salary across all majors was $80k; CS majors took home $89k. 21% of 2022 grads immediately enrolled in graduate school at universities like Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, and Duke.

  • Enrollment: 2,235 (undergraduate); 15 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $77,890
  • Median SAT: 1460
  • Acceptance Rate: 73%
  • Graduation Rate: 82%

Northeastern University

Northeastern University

Academic Highlights: Northeastern offers 290 majors and 180 combined majors within nine colleges and programs. Experiential learning is had by virtually all graduates, thanks to the school’s illustrious and robust co-op program. The D’Amore-McKim School of Business is a top-ranked school and offers one of the best international business programs anywhere, and both the College of Engineering and College of Computer Science are highly respected as well. Criminal justice, architecture, and nursing are three other majors that rate near the top nationally.

Professional Outcomes: Nine months after leaving Northeastern, 97% of students have landed at their next employment or graduate school destination. Huskies entering the job market are quickly rounded up by the likes of State Street, Fidelity Investments, IBM, and Amazon, all of whom employ 500+ Northeastern alums. Between 200 and 500 employees at Wayfair, Google, Amazon, Oracle, IBM, and Apple have an NU lineage. Starting salaries are above average (55% make more than $60k), in part due to the stellar co-op program.

  • Enrollment: 20,980 (undergraduate); 15,826 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $86,821
  • Median SAT: 1500
  • Graduation Rate: 91%

University of Michigan

University of Michigan

  • Ann Arbor, MI

Academic Highlights: There are 280+ undergraduate degree programs across fourteen schools and colleges, and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) enrolls the majority of students. The Ross School of Business offers highly rated programs in entrepreneurship, management, accounting, and finance. The College of Engineering is also one of the best in the country. By degrees conferred, engineering (15%), computer science (14%), and the social sciences (11%) are most popular. A solid 56% of classes have fewer than 20 students.

Professional Outcomes: Within three months of graduating, 89% of LSA grads are employed full-time or in graduate school, with healthcare, education, law, banking, research, nonprofit work, and consulting being the most popular sectors. Within three months, 99% of Ross grads are employed with a median salary of $90k. Top employers include Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, EY, Morgan Stanley, PwC, Deloitte, and Amazon.  Within six months, 96% of engineering grads are employed (average salary of $84k) or in grad school. General Motors, Ford, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta employ the greatest number of alumni.

  • Enrollment: 32,695 (undergraduate); 18,530 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $35,450 (in-state); $76,294 (out-of-state)
  • Acceptance Rate: 18%

Duke University

Duke University

Academic Highlights: The academic offerings at Duke include 53 majors, 52 minors, and 23 interdisciplinary certificates. Class sizes are on the small side—71% are nineteen or fewer, and almost one-quarter are less than ten. A stellar 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio helps keep classes so reasonable even while catering to five figures worth of graduate students. Computer Science is the most popular area of concentration (11%), followed by economics (10%), public policy (9%), biology (8%), and computer engineering (7%).

Professional Outcomes: At graduation, approximately 70% of Duke diploma-earners enter the world of work, 20% continue into graduate schools, and 2% start their own businesses. The industries that attract the largest percentage of Blue Devils are tech (21%), finance (15%), business (15%), healthcare (9%), and science/research (6%). Of the 20% headed into graduate school, a hefty 22% are attending medical school, 18% are in PhD programs, and 12% are entering law school. The med school acceptance rate is 85%, more than twice the national average.

  • Enrollment: 6,640
  • Cost of Attendance: $85,238
  • SAT Range: 1490-1570
  • ACT Range: 34-35
  • Graduation Rate: 97%

Northwestern University

Northwestern University

  • Evanston, IL

Academic Highlights : Northwestern is home to six undergraduate schools, including Medill, which is widely regarded as one of the country’s best journalism schools. The McCormick School of Engineering also achieves top rankings, along with programs in economics, social policy, and theatre. The social sciences account for the greatest number of degrees conferred (19%), followed by communications/journalism (13%), and engineering (11%). 45% of classes have nine or fewer students enrolled; 78% have fewer than twenty enrollees. 57% of recent grads had the chance to conduct undergraduate research.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 69% of the Class of 2022 had found employment and 27% were in graduate school. The four most popular professional fields were consulting (18%), engineering (18%), business/finance (16%), and communications/marketing/media (13%). Employers included the BBC, NBC News, The Washington Post , NPR, Boeing, Google, IBM, Deloitte, PepsiCo, Northrop Grumman, and Goldman Sachs. Across all majors, the average starting salary was $73k. Of those headed straight to graduate school, engineering, medicine, and business were the three most popular areas of concentration.

  • Enrollment: 8,659 (undergraduate); 14,073 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $91,290

University of Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame

  • Notre Dame, IN

Academic Highlights: 75 majors are offered across six undergraduate colleges: the School of Architecture, the College of Arts and Letters, the Mendoza School of Business (one of the country’s best business schools), the College of Engineering, the Keough School of Global Affairs, and the College of Science. In 2022, the most degrees were conferred in business (20%), the social sciences (18%), engineering (12%), and biology (8%). A solid 60% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students, and 15% have single-digit numbers. 75% of Notre Dame undergrads study abroad.

Professional Outcomes: 69% of 2022 grads directly entered the world of employment, with the most common industries being financial services (21%), consulting (17%), technology (12%), and health services (9%). Massive numbers of alumni can be found at Deloitte, EY, PwC, IBM, Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and McKinsey & Co. The median early-career salary was $76,000. Of the 20% of grads who went directly into their graduate/professional studies, 18% were pursuing medical degrees and 9% were studying law.

  • Enrollment: 8,971 (undergraduate); 4,134 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $86,125
  • Acceptance Rate: 13%
  • Graduation Rate: 96%

United States Coast Guard Academy

United States Coast Guard Academy

  • New London, CT

Academic Highlights: Nine majors are offered: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cyber Systems, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Operations Research and Data Analytics, Marine and Environmental Sciences, Management, and Government. All cadets complete a liberal arts-based core curriculum. Each program is meant to hone the practical and technical skills necessary to handle a wide range of situations as future Coast Guard officers. The student-to-faculty ratio is 7:1, and 61% of classes have fewer than 20 students.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduation, all cadets are commissioned as officers in the US Coast Guard, where they must serve for a total of 5 years (85% remain in the Coast Guard for longer than that). 90% of new ensigns dive into roles as Deck Watch Officers or Engineers in Training. The remaining 10% head to flight school or operational shore units. Post-military, Coast Guard vets are highly sought after; top employers include Booz Allen Hamilton, NOAA, Deloitte, and FEMA as well as other government entities such as the Department of Homeland Security. 80% ultimately attend graduate school.

  • Enrollment: 1,037
  • Cost of Attendance: $0
  • Median SAT: 1260
  • Acceptance Rate: 15%
  • Graduation Rate: 86%

University of Florida

University of Florida

  • Gainesville, FL

Academic Highlights: With 16 colleges and 100 undergraduate majors to choose from, educational experiences are exceptionally diverse. The Warrington College of Business and the Wertheim College of Engineering are highly respected, so it’s no surprise that those two programs confer the greatest percentage of degrees—12% and 14%, respectively. Biology (11%), the social sciences (11%), and health professions (8%) are next in popularity. 53% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and 33% of students partake in an undergraduate research experience.

Professional Outcomes: By graduation day, 66% of the Class of 2022 had already procured a first job. The top occupational areas were engineering (13%), health care (13%), computer science (5%), and marketing (4%). 200+ Gator alumni can be found at top corporations like Google, EY, Raymond James, Deloitte, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, and PwC. The average salary for all 2022 grads was $69k, with a high of $100k for computer science majors. Of those pursuing advanced degrees, a master’s degree was the most popular pursuit (63%) followed by law school (11%).

  • Enrollment: 34,552 (undergraduate); 20,659 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $23,530 (in-state); $45,808 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: 1400
  • Acceptance Rate: 23%
  • Graduation Rate: 90%

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Los Angeles

  • Los Angeles, CA

Academic Highlights: UCLA offers 125 majors in 100+ academic departments, and more than 60 majors require a capstone experience that results in the creation of a tangible product under the mentorship of faculty members. The most commonly conferred degrees are in the social sciences (25%), biology (16%), psychology (11%), mathematics (8%), and engineering (7%). Departmental rankings are high across the board, especially in computer science, engineering, film, fine and performing arts, mathematics, and political science.

Professional Outcomes: UCLA grads flow most heavily into the research, finance, computer science, and engineering sectors. High numbers of recent grads can be found at Disney, Google, EY, Teach for America, Amazon, and Oracle. Hundreds also can be found at Bloomberg, Deloitte, Mattel, Oracle, and SpaceX. The average starting salary exceeds $55,000. 16% of recent grads enrolled directly in a graduate/professional school, with other CA-based institutions like Stanford, Pepperdine, USC, Berkeley, and Loyola Marymount being the most popular.

  • Enrollment: 33,040 (undergraduate); 15,010 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $38,517 (in-state); $71,091 (out-of-state)

United States Military Academy

United States Military Academy

  • West Point, NY

Academic Highlights: There are 37 majors at West Point, and students must conquer a minimum of 13 courses within their area of study as well as 24-27 courses in West Point’s core academic program. Almost 98% of class sections at West Point enroll fewer than 20 students, and plenty of research opportunities exist within each department. West Point is one of the best undergraduate engineering colleges in the country and has standout programs in civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Professional Outcomes: West Point graduates must honor their eight-year military commitment (five years of active duty, three in the reserves), and many continue their military careers beyond those requirements. When they do enter the workforce, large numbers of alumni land at Amazon, Microsoft, Deloitte, Meta, Google, ExxonMobil, Johnson & Johnson, McKinsey & Company, and Goldman Sachs, with mean mid-career pay in excess of $125,000. With military duties to fulfill, only a small percentage of cadets matriculate directly into graduate programs.

  • Enrollment: 4,393
  • Median SAT: 1350
  • Median ACT: 30
  • Acceptance Rate: 12%

United States Air Force Academy

United States Air Force Academy

  • USAF Academy, CO

Academic Highlights: There are 32 majors, including seven with “engineering” in the title. That works out well as the Air Force Academy runs one of the premier undergraduate engineering programs in the entire country. One-third of degrees conferred in 2022 were in engineering followed by business (14%), the social sciences (13%), interdisciplinary studies (11%), and biology (6%). 66% of sections contain fewer than 20 students, and there are plenty of opportunities to participate in research at one of the 27 research centers and institutes.

Professional Outcomes: As with any service academy, the bulk of graduates spend a good portion of their careers within the armed forces. For USAFA grads, a minimum five-year commitment to the Air Force is mandatory. Many alumni spend time later in their careers working in the commercial airline industry at Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines. Many also work for Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Lockheed Martin. Roughly 10% of new grads are cleared to immediately enter a graduate program in exchange for additional years of service.

  • Enrollment: 4,085
  • Graduation Rate: 89%

Lafayette College

Lafayette College

Academic Highlights: Lafayette offers 51 areas of study over four academic divisions: engineering, humanities, natural sciences, and the social sciences. One-on-one attention from professors is a reality at Lafayette, thanks to a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and no graduate students to compete with. A solid 62% of sections contain fewer than twenty students; 11% enroll nine or fewer. Of the degrees conferred in 2022, social sciences (34%) and engineering (19%) were the disciplines in which the largest number of degrees were earned.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, a stellar 98% of the Class of 2022 had already landed full-time jobs or were enrolled in graduate/professional school. Companies employing large numbers of Lafayette alumni include Merck, IBM, Morgan Stanley, Citi, Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan Chase Co., Deloitte, and EY. Those attending graduate school frequently land at some of the top programs in the country within their respective disciplines. Medical school applicants with a 3.6 GPA or above enjoy a 72% acceptance rate, and dental school candidates find homes at an 89% clip.

  • Enrollment: 2,729
  • Cost of Attendance: $84,402
  • Acceptance Rate: 34%
  • Retention Rate: 90%

Lehigh University

Lehigh University

  • Bethlehem, PA

Academic Highlights: Lehigh has a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, but classes aren’t as tiny as one might expect with such favorable staffing numbers. The average class size is 26 but, on the plus side, 45% of courses have enrollments of 19 or fewer. Undergraduate research is commonplace. With a highly ranked engineering school, it’s easy to view Lehigh as primarily a techie haven. Surprisingly, the majority of students pursue other programs, with Lehigh’s well-regarded business school drawing the most majors (29%); 22% graduate with a degree in engineering and 12% study CS.

Professional Outcomes: Recent grads quickly found its way toward the next productive step in their lives with 97% landing jobs or grad school placements within six months of leaving Lehigh. Among graduates of the School of Business and Economics, the top industries entered were financial services, accounting, consulting, and computer software. The average starting salary for a recent grad is $67,000. Among recent diploma-earners heading straight to graduate school, roughly 30% were studying engineering, one-quarter were pursuing business degrees, 10% were training for health professions.

  • Enrollment: 5,624
  • Cost of Attendance: $72,000
  • Median SAT: 1410
  • Acceptance Rate: 37%

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University

  • Nashville, TN

Academic Highlights: Four of Vandy’s ten schools cater to undergrads: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Blair School of Music, the Peabody College of Education and Human Development, and the School of Engineering. In the 2022-23 school year, 87% of course sections contained 19 or fewer students. Of the 70 undergraduate majors, economics, politics and government, and neuroscience are the most popular. The School of Engineering has a strong national reputation as do offerings in biology, economics, education, and music.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 96% of the Class of 2021 were employed or in graduate school. The most commonly entered industry was finance followed by technology, consulting, education, and engineering. Alumni can be found in droves at Capital One, Goldman Sachs, Bain & Company, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, and Meta. Among 2022 alumni who directly pursued advanced degrees, the majority enrolled at Vanderbilt followed by Columbia, Harvard, Penn, NYU, and Northwestern.

  • Enrollment: 7,151 (undergraduate); 6,559 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $89,590

New Jersey Institute of Technology

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Academic Highlights:  There are 125 undergraduate and graduate majors on the menu at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Sporting a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the school is able to offer 32% of course sections with a cap of 19 students and only 4% enroll more than 50 individuals. Engineering is the most popular major accounting for 40% of all degrees conferred in 2022. Next on the list were computer science (28%), engineering technologies (11%), biology (5%), and business (5%).

Professional Outcomes:  Recent grads enjoyed an 85% employment rate within six months of earning their diploma and another 5% entered graduate school; 6% were still searching for their next step. The average starting salary is $67,852. Employers of 200+ alumni include Merck, JP Morgan Chase and Co., Bristol Myers Squibb, Verizon, Johnson & Johnson, Prudential, Citi, Amazon Web Services, Bank of America, and Microsoft.

  • Enrollment: 9,019
  • Cost of Attendance: $41,352 (In-State); $58,264 (Out-of-State)
  • Median SAT: 1320
  • Acceptance Rate: 66%
  • Retention Rate: 89%
  • Graduation Rate: 74%

Pennsylvania State University — University Park

Pennsylvania State University — University Park

  • State College, PA

Academic Highlights: Penn State offers 275 majors and a number of top-ranked programs in a host of disciplines. The College of Engineering is rated exceptionally well on a national scale and is also the most popular field of study, accounting for 15% of the degrees conferred. The Smeal College of Business is equally well-regarded, earning high rankings in everything from supply chain management to accounting to marketing. It attracts 15% of total degree-seekers. 61% of classes have an enrollment below thirty students.

Professional Outcomes: By graduation, 70% of Nittany Lions have found their next employment or graduate school home. 98% of College of Business grads are successful within three months of exiting, flocking in large numbers to stellar finance, accounting, consulting, and technology firms. Hundreds of alumni work at Citi, Salesforce, and Meta, and more than 500 currently work at each of IBM, Deloitte, PwC, Amazon, EY, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Google, and Oracle. 75% of 2022 grads employed full-time earned starting salaries greater than $50k.

  • Enrollment: 41,745 (undergraduate); 7,020 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $32,656 (in-state); $52,610 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: 1300
  • Acceptance Rate: 55%

University of California, San Diego

University of California, San Diego

  • San Diego, CA

Academic Highlights: There are 140+ undergraduate majors offered at UCSD, and all students join one of eight undergraduate colleges meant to forge flourishing communities within the larger university. Biology has the highest representation of all majors (19%) followed by engineering (12%), the social sciences (11%), and computer science (9%). UCSD’s computer science and engineering programs have stellar reputations in the corporate and tech communities, and programs in biology, economics, and political science are among the best anywhere.

Professional Outcomes: Employers of recent graduates included the Walt Disney Company, Tesla, NBC Universal, PwC, Northrop Grumman, and EY. More than 1,000 current Google employees are UC San Diego alumni, and Qualcomm, Amazon, and Apple all employ 500+ each. The median early career salary is $65,000 across all majors, placing the university in the top 10 public universities in the country. UCSD also fares well in measures of its return-on-investment potential.

  • Enrollment: 33,096 (undergraduate); 8,386 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $31,830 (in-state); $64,404 (out-of-state)
  • Acceptance Rate: 25%

University of Virginia

University of Virginia

  • Charlottesville, VA

Academic Highlights: Undergrads can study within one of seven colleges/schools, which all offer many small classes; 15% boast single-digit enrollment and 48% contain 19 or fewer students. The McIntire School of Commerce and the School of Engineering and Applied Science have glowing reputations. Other notable strengths include computer science, economics, and political philosophy, policy, and law. The most popular degree areas are liberal arts/general studies (22%), the social sciences (14%), engineering (11%), business/marketing (8%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes:  Upon receiving their degree, 95% of the Class of 2022 immediately joined the workforce–with an average starting salary of $90k–or headed directly to graduate school. The most popular industries were internet & software, higher education, and management consulting. Capital One (85), Deloitte (46), Amazon (38), and Bain & Co. (26) scooped up the greatest number of 2022 grads. UVA itself was the most popular grad school destination followed by Columbia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Johns Hopkins.

  • Enrollment: 17,496 (undergraduate); 8,653 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $39,494-49,874 (in-state); $78,214-90,378 (out-of-state)
  • Acceptance Rate: 19%

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Academic Highlights: There are five undergraduate schools within the larger university: the School of Architecture; the School of Management; the School of Science; the top-ranked School of Engineering; and the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. A solid 54% of sections contain fewer than 20 students. The most degrees are conferred in engineering (45%) and computer and information sciences (21%). Rensselaer has very strong programs in mechanical, aerospace, computer, electrical, and biomedical engineering as well as physics, architecture, and computer science.

Professional Outcomes: As they receive their diplomas, 54% of RPI grads have already landed a job and 32% have committed to a graduate school. The largest numbers of grads were hired by companies that included Google, Microsoft, Deloitte, General Dynamics, Boeing, and IBM. Massive numbers of alumni hold leadership positions in corporations like Google, Pratt & Whitney, General Motors, GE, and Microsoft. Recent grads enjoy starting salaries in excess of $81k.

  • Enrollment: 5,895 (undergraduate); 1,096 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $82,404
  • Acceptance Rate: 65%

Bucknell University

Bucknell University

  • Lewisburg, PA

Academic Highlights: Over 60 majors and 70 minors are on tap across three undergraduate schools: the College of Arts & Sciences, Freeman College of Management, and the College of Engineering. Getting well-acquainted with your professors is easy with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, and class sizes are reasonably small. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in the areas of the social sciences (26%), engineering (14%), business (14%), biology (11%), and psychology (9%).

Professional Outcomes: Nine months after graduation, 94% of the Class of 2022 had launched their careers or entered graduate school. Financial services is the most common sector for Bucknell grads to enter, attracting 24% of alumni. Across all disciplines, the average salary for a Class of 2022 grad was $69,540. Bucknell saw 18% of 2022 grads go directly into an advanced degree program. Bison alumni heading to graduate school predominantly pursue degrees in the medical field, social sciences, business, or engineering.

  • Enrollment: 3,747
  • Cost of Attendance: $80,890
  • Median SAT: 1380
  • Acceptance Rate: 33%

Stevens Institute of Technology

Stevens Institute of Technology

  • Hoboken, NJ

Academic Highlights: There are 35 undergraduate majors at Stevens across four undergraduate schools: the top-rated Schaefer School of Engineering & Science, the School of Business, the College of Arts and Letters, and the School of Systems and Enterprises. 49% of course sections contain fewer than 20 students. Engineering is, by far, the most common undergraduate major. Programs in computer science, cybersecurity, and quantitative finance also receive praise. Over 80% of degrees granted are in a STEM field, and most of the remaining grads major in business, finance, and accounting.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 97% of the Class of 2022 found employment or graduate school homes; most students entered the fields of finance (29%), technology (17%), aerospace/defense (9%), and construction (6%). The greatest number of recent grads landed at Google, EY, Merck, Prudential, and PwC. Massive numbers of alumni can also be found at Verizon, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson. The average starting salary was $79,600. Of the 33% who immediately enrolled in graduate school, the vast majority were pursuing master’s or PhDs.

  • Enrollment: 4,070 (undergraduate); 5,244 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $81,922
  • Median SAT: 1450
  • Acceptance Rate: 46%

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

  • Worcester, MA

Academic Highlights: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) offers a hands-on and innovative project-based curriculum; all students complete a minimum of two long-term research projects that are focused on solving real-world problems. A staggering 52% of its classes enroll fewer than ten students, creating an incredible level of academic intimacy. The most popular majors are under the engineering umbrella (63%) and computer science (16%). The undergraduate engineering program is respected worldwide and frequently graces lists of top schools.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 94% of 2022 grads landed jobs or enrolled full-time in graduate school. Recent grads found jobs at top companies including Airbnb, DraftKings, Amazon Robotics, and NASA. Hundreds of WPI alumni are employed at Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney, Dell, and BAE Systems. The average starting salary is over $74,000 and is one of the highest in the country. Over one-quarter of grads elect to pursue an advanced degree immediately after graduation, enrolling at institutions that recently included Georgia Tech, Brown, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford.

  • Enrollment: 5,246 (undergraduate); 2,062 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $81,751

University of Wisconsin – Madison

University of Wisconsin – Madison

  • Madison, WI

Academic Highlights: There are 230+ undergraduate majors offered across eight schools and colleges, including the top-ranked School of Business and College of Engineering as well as the College of Letters and Science, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the Schools of Nursing, Education, Pharmacy, and Human Ecology. Undergrads can expect a mix of large and small classes, with 44% of sections enrolling fewer than 20 students. Business (18%), biology (12%), the social sciences (11%), and engineering (10%) are most popular.

Professional Outcomes: In a recent year, 46% of job-seeking grads graduated with an offer.  Top employers included UW-Madison, Epic, Kohl’s, Oracle, Deloitte, and UW Health. Across all graduating years, companies employing 250+ alumni include Google, Target, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, PwC, Accenture, and Meta. 28% of recent grads enrolled directly in graduate/professional school; the majority stayed at UW–Madison while others headed to Columbia, Northwestern, and Carnegie Mellon. The university is the top producer of Peace Corps volunteers.

  • Enrollment: 37,230 (undergraduate); 12,656 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $28,916 (in-state); $58,912 (out-of-state)
  • Acceptance Rate: 49%

University of Maryland, College Park

University of Maryland, College Park

  • College Park, MD

Academic Highlights: Undergraduates can select from 100+ majors across twelve colleges. 18% of degrees are conferred in computer science, followed by the social sciences (13%), with  criminology, government and politics, and economics being the most popular majors.  Engineering (13%), business (11%), and biology (8%) are next in line. The School of Business, the School of Engineering, and the College of Journalism are all top-ranked, as are programs in computer science and criminology. 46% of sections enroll fewer than twenty students.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 96% of Class of 2022 grads had positive outcomes. 67% found employment; the companies/organizations that hired the greatest number of grads included Northrop Grumman, Deloitte, Amazon, and EY. Meta, Apple, and Google employ more than 200 alumni each.  The mid-50% salary range for 2022 grads was $55k-$83k. 21% of the Class of 2022 headed directly to graduate and professional school; 11% entered doctoral programs, 5% entered medical school, and 5% entered law school.

  • Enrollment: 30,353 (undergraduate); 10,439 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $31,540 (in-state); $60,918 (out-of-state)
  • Acceptance Rate: 84%

Tufts University

Tufts University

  • Medford, MA

Academic Highlights: Three schools serve Tufts’ undergraduate population: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. The three schools combined offer more than 90 majors and minors; approximately one-third of all students double major, and half declare a minor. 15% of all courses see fewer than ten students enrolled, and 60% have sub-twenty enrollments. The most popular majors include international relations, economics, computer science, political science, and biology—all of which receive very high marks.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after earning their diplomas, 97% of 2022 graduates were employed or attending graduate school. The most commonly entered fields were finance, consulting, real estate (23%); engineering and technology (22%); health, life sciences, environmental (21%); and education, advocacy, social services (11%). Prolific employers of Tufts alums include Booz Allen Hamilton, JPMorgan, MITRE, Google, Deloitte, Amazon, Raytheon, Morgan Stanley, and BlackRock. Of the 21% of 2022 grads who went directly to graduate school, 85% were accepted into their first-choice institution.

  • Enrollment: 6,815 (undergraduate); 6,616 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $88,300
  • Acceptance Rate: 10%

Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School of Mines

Academic Highlights: There are around 20 bachelor of science degree options to choose from as well as additional areas of specialization. Classes are rarely small as Mines possesses a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1. The average class has 34 students, and only 27% of sections have an enrollment under twenty. The largest number of degrees are conferred in mechanical engineering and petroleum engineering. In fact, 78% of all earned degrees are classified under the engineering umbrella.

Professional Outcomes: Members of the Class of 2022 landed industry jobs or full-time graduate school positions at a clip of 93%. Companies employing massive numbers of Mines’ grads include Lockheed Martin, BP, ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Chevron, and Shell. Those finding employment enjoyed an average starting salary of $81,000. Nineteen percent of freshly printed diploma-holders directly enter graduate school, and the most popular institution is Mines itself, which is the choice of 82% of those pursuing advanced degrees.

  • Enrollment: 5,733
  • Cost of Attendance: $42,062 (In-State); $65,252 (Out-of-State)
  • Acceptance Rate: 58%
  • Graduation Rate: 81%

University of California, Davis

University of California, Davis

Academic Highlights: UC Davis offers 100+ undergraduate majors across four schools: the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the College of Biological Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the College of Letters and Science. 50% engage in some type of research/creative project outside the classroom. The areas of study with the largest number of degrees awarded were biology, the social sciences, psychology, and engineering. Programs in engineering, computer science, and animal science are nationally renowned.

Professional Outcomes: Many recent grads found homes at Silicon Valley or other California-based employers. Corporations employing 200 or more Aggies include Genentech, Google, Apple, Cisco, Meta, Oracle, Amazon, Microsoft, Salesforce, and LinkedIn. Ten years out of school, median earnings rise to $112k. Within one year of graduating, 39% of Aggies elect to continue their education; the most popular degrees pursued are master’s, MDs or other health doctorates, law, and MBA/MPA.

  • Enrollment: 31,797 (undergraduate); 9,053 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $41,389 (in-state); $73,963 (out-of-state)
  • Acceptance Rate: 42%

University of Southern California

University of Southern California

Academic Highlights : There are 140 undergraduate majors and minors within the Dornsife College of Arts & Sciences alone, the university’s oldest and largest school. The Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, and programs in communication, the cinematic arts, and the performing arts are highly acclaimed. Popular areas of study are business (22%), social sciences (11%), visual and performing arts (11%), communications/journalism (9%), and engineering (8%). Most courses enroll 10-19 students, and USC does an excellent job facilitating undergraduate research opportunities.

Professional Outcomes: 96% of undergrads experience positive postgraduation outcomes within six months of earning their degree. The top five industries entered were finance, consulting, advertising, software development, and engineering; the median salary across all majors is an astounding $79k. Presently, between 300 and 1,500 alumni are employed at each of Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and Meta. Graduate/professional schools enrolling the greatest number of 2022 USC grads include NYU, Georgetown, Harvard, Stanford, Pepperdine, and UCLA.

  • Enrollment: 20,699 (undergraduate); 28,246 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $90,921
  • Median SAT: 1510

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder

  • Boulder, CO

Academic Highlights: CU Boulder offers 90 bachelor’s degree programs across seven different schools and colleges; the College of Engineering & Applied Science and the Leeds School of Business both possess excellent national reputations. Business/marketing is the discipline where the greatest number of degrees (15%) were conferred in 2022. Engineering (13%), biology (12%), social sciences (12%), and journalism (10%) are next in popularity. 41% of classes have fewer than 20 students, and only 19% of courses enroll 50 or more students.

Professional Outcomes : Within six months of leaving CU Boulder, 91% of recent grads were working or in graduate school. Those employed earned an estimated median salary of $54k, with the greatest number working at Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, Deloitte, Qualcomm, Northrop Grumman, KPMG, Charles Schwab, and Boeing. More than 100 alumni can also be found at Google, Oracle, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. 20% of new grads immediately jumped into an advanced degree program, and 80% were accepted into their first-choice school.

  • Enrollment: 31,103 (undergraduate); 7,110 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $31,744 (in-state); $60,118 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: 1280
  • Retention Rate: 88%
  • Graduation Rate: 75%

University of Washington – Seattle

University of Washington – Seattle

  • Seattle, WA

Academic Highlights: 180+ undergraduate majors are offered across thirteen colleges/schools. Personal connections with professors abound as 55% of grads complete a faculty-mentored research project. The College of Engineering, which includes the College of Computer Science & Engineering, is one of the best in the nation; UW also boasts strong programs in everything from business to social work to environmental science. The most popular degrees are the social sciences (13%), biology (12%), computer science (11%), and business (8%).

Professional Outcomes: Within months of graduation, 73% of Class of 2022 grads were employed and 17% were continuing their education. The most popular employers of the Class of 2022 included Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and KPMG. Across all living alumni, 6,000+ work for Microsoft, and 4000+ work for each of Boeing and Amazon. Of those headed to graduate/professional school, just over half remain in state, mostly at UW itself. Large numbers of 2022 grads also headed to Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and USC.

  • Enrollment: 36,872 (undergraduate); 16,211 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $34,554 (in-state); $63,906 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: 1420
  • Acceptance Rate: 48%

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

  • San Luis Obispo

Academic Highlights: Across all divisions, there are 60+ majors and 80+ minors offered. The majority of courses–59%–fall between twenty and forty students. Cal Poly’s student-to-faculty ratio is a high 18:1, but such is the cost of an uber-affordable STEM degree from an excellent institution. Over one-quarter of all degrees conferred (22%) are in engineering, and Cal Poly gets recognition in many specialty areas of the field including industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer engineering, and civil engineering.

Professional Outcomes: Within nine months of graduating, 91% of graduates are “positively engaged” in their next life activity. Top employers of Cal Poly grads include many of the top tech, consulting, engineering, and financial firms in the country such as Google, Deloitte, KPMG, Microsoft, Northrop Grumman, Adobe, EY, and Apple. Overall, grads enjoy a terrific median starting salary of $72,000. Of the 14% of alumni who directly enter graduate school, the six most commonly attended schools are all in California.

  • Enrollment: 20,963
  • Cost of Attendance: $32,000 (in-state); $53,000 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: 1337
  • Acceptance Rate: 30%

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Academic Highlights: Accounting for 56% of the student body, engineering is the subject in which the largest number of degrees are conferred followed by visual arts (28%) and then architecture (16%). All three schools shine in the eyes of employers as well as other institutions of higher education. No matter your area of study at CU, students report receiving a high degree of attention and mentorship from faculty. With 57% of class sections containing fewer than 20 students, learning is an intimate endeavor.

Professional Outcomes: Due to the exceptionally low numbers of graduates from Cooper Union each year, it is hard to say that large numbers of alumni cluster in any particular company. However, it is fair to state that CU graduates regularly find their way into the most desirable firms within their respective disciplines. Forty percent of CU graduates continue their education at top-ranked graduate programs. In the last few years, Cooper Union diploma-holders have gone on to advanced study in architecture at Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Penn, and Yale.

  • Enrollment: 899
  • Cost of Attendance: $47,271
  • Acceptance Rate: 22%
  • Graduation Rate: 80%

New York University

New York University

Academic Highlights: NYU is divided into a number of smaller (but still quite large) colleges organized by discipline; in sum, there are 230 areas of undergraduate study across nine schools and colleges. For its size, a commendable 58% of classes have an enrollment under 20 students. While all schools within NYU have solid reputations, Stern holds the distinction as one of the top undergraduate business programs in the country. For those entering film, dance, drama, or other performing arts, Tisch is as prestigious a place as you can find to study.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of exiting, 94% of Class of 2022 grads had landed at their next destination, with 78% employed and 21% in graduate school. The top industries for employment were healthcare (11%), internet and software (9%), finance (8%), and entertainment (8%). Large numbers of alumni can be found at Google, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, and Amazon. The mean starting salary is $75,336. In 2022, business, arts and sciences, and law school were the most popular grad school destinations.

  • Enrollment: 29,401 (undergraduate); 29,711 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $90,222-$96,172

North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University

  • Raleigh, NC

Academic Highlights: NC State offers more than 100 majors and 120 minors. 64% of sections enroll 29 or fewer students. Engineering is the most popular area of concentration as 24% of Class of 2022 graduates earned a degree in that field. Business/marketing comes in second at 17% followed by biology (10%) and agriculture (7%). NC State has an exceptional regional reputation and an expanding national one with the College of Engineering near the top of many rankings. Programs in design, architecture, and animal science are also very strong.

Professional Outcomes: 54% of students graduating in 2022 had already accepted full-time jobs before exiting; 27% were heading to graduate/professional school. Members of that class reported an average starting salary of $62,024 (with a slightly higher median). Including all graduating years, the companies employing the largest number of alumni are Cisco, Red Hat, SAS, IBM, Lenovo, Amazon, Microsoft, Intel, Google, Deloitte, Facebook, and Salesforce. Many recent grads also work for the university itself and for the Wake County Public School System.

  • Enrollment: 26,254 (undergraduate); 10,446 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $27,451 (in-state); $51,662 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: 1340
  • Acceptance Rate: 47%

The Ohio State University — Columbus

The Ohio State University — Columbus

  • Columbus, OH

Academic Highlights: There are 200+ undergraduate majors and 18 schools and colleges housed within OSU. Business sees the greatest percentage of degrees conferred at 18% followed by engineering (15%), health professions (10%), and the social sciences (9%). It makes sense that so many flock to the business and engineering schools as they are among the highest-rated undergraduate programs in their respective disciplines. 40% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and approximately 20% of students gain research experience.

Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their diplomas, 56% of Class of 2022 graduates were entering the world of employment while 17% were already accepted into graduate or professional school.  Hordes of Buckeyes can be found at many of the nation’s leading companies. More than 2,000 alumni work for JPMorgan Chase, more than 1,000 are employed by Amazon, and more than 600 work for Google and Microsoft. Of the grads who directly matriculate into graduate or professional school, many continue in one of OSU’s own programs.

  • Enrollment: 45,728 (undergraduate); 14,318 (graduate)
  • Cost of Attendance: $27,241 (in-state); $52,747 (out-of-state)
  • Median SAT: 1340-1450
  • Median ACT: 29-32

We hope you have found our list of the Best Colleges for Civil Engineering to be useful and informative as you continue your college search process. We also invite you to check out some of our other resources and tools including:

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Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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Dual-degree Ph.D. program with Howard University

Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Engineering and Howard University’s College of Engineering and Architecture jointly offer a dual Ph.D. program that grants doctoral degrees from both institutions. This unique program provides students with two academic advisors and access to an extensive range of courses and research facilities. Moreover, students benefit from being part of vibrant research communities in two major metropolitan areas: Pittsburgh, PA, and Washington, DC.

Learn more about the Howard Dual-degree program

The student perspective

News & Events

Engineering design, innovation, and entrepreneurship

First-year students are ready to to pursue a new additional major in Engineering Design, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.

Students in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Junior Projects course worked with a team of local professionals to develop plans to transform the four-block span of Craig Street between Fifth and Forbes Avenues into a great college town street.

Integrating the built, natural, and information environments

Conrad Tucker named new director of CMU-Africa

Conrad Tucker has been named the next director of Carnegie Mellon University Africa. In his new role, Tucker will also serve as the College of Engineering’s Associate Dean for International Programs in Africa.

Artificial Intelligence

Chop, chop: Improving food prep with the power of AI

Researchers at CMU combined two vision foundational models—models trained on large visual data sets—to help a robot arm recognize the shape and the type of fruit and vegetable slices.

Energy & Environment

Dowd Fellowship encourages ambitious student research

Four Ph.D. students in the College of Engineering have received funding to pursue research on valuable, relatively unexplored topics.

CMU celebrates Alan Magee Scaife Hall grand opening

The Alan Magee Scaife Hall and Gordon E. Moore Engineering Quad bring energy and vibrancy to the heart of Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Engineering.

Scaife Hall to transform research and education at CMU

Carnegie Mellon hosts grand opening of reimagined Scaife Hall.

Researchers in the Department of Mechanical Engineering used fossil evidence to engineer a soft robotic replica of pleurocystitids, a marine organism that existed nearly 450 million years ago and is believed to be one of the first echinoderms capable of movement using a muscular stem.

450-million-year-old organism finds new life in Softbotics

Health & Biomedicine

Curing cancer is not enough

Colette Bilynsky pursues both cancer research and health policy to ensure that potential cures are affordable and accessible to all.

Liquid crystals and the hunt for defects

Civil and environmental engineering researchers are creating tools to help unlock the secrets of liquid crystals.

A new course for prosthetics care

Between his studies, a teaching opportunity, and nonprofit work, mechanical engineering Ph.D. student Jonathan Shulgach looks to reimagine the experience of receiving medical care by bringing patients closer to the process.

Advanced Manufacturing

Industrial robots building with Lego® bricks at Mill 19

New testbed at Mill 19, that will test and advance robotic assembly and disassembly using Lego® bricks, will also be used to study other robotic functions in manufacturing.

A group of Engineering and Public Policy graduate students took home the award for Best Presentation on behalf of the NASA’s Gateways to Blue Skies: Clean Aviation Energy Competition.

CMU team wins Best Presentation Award at NASA competition

Mindfulness may help engineering students’ experiences with stress

Chris McComb and collaborators at Penn State, found that mindfulness based interventions (MBI) had an impact on students in an introductory engineering design course.

Relationships are key to the research and the researchers

Zeynep Ozkaya’s work in Jana Kainerstorfer’s biophotonicslab has helped her to better understand the signal processing principles she is learning in her electrical engineering courses.

So tricky, a robot can do it

Carnegie Mellon Researchers have taken inspiration from geckos to create a material that adheres to wet and dry surfaces, even on an incline.

Small particles research reveals benefits of interaction

Undergraduate research opportunity gave Kelby Kramer the chance to explore topics and gain skills outside his chosen field.

Virtual reality partners become real world neighbors

In July, the YKK AP Technologies Lab opened at Mill 19. Their focus on the development of a virtual factory is well aligned with the digital twin work underway at the Manufacturing Futures Institute.

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Civil Engineering

A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.

Required Courses

Offered by: Civil Engineering ( Faculty of Engineering )

Administered by: Graduate Studies

Civil Engineering : Preparation of a written literature review and a qualifying oral examination of the student's background in related areas that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program.

Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

This exam must be taken within 13 months of the student’s initial registration in the program.

Civil Engineering : Ph.D. thesis proposal.

Prerequisite: CIVE 701

This course must be completed within 16 months of initial registration in the program.

Complementary Courses

6-8 credits at the 500 or 600 level taken from the Department of Civil Engineering.

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Berkeley: Civil & Environmental Engineering

Construction Systems

Construction systems are key to creating and operating an adaptive and resilient built environment and infrastructure systems needed to sustain human life. The vital, large, and exciting field of construction is now disrupted at all levels by deep technologies including AI, robotics, embedded sensors and nano-materials. The industry is reshaping itself for example by increased use of modular and off-site production with radically new supply chains, virtualization and development of digital twins, and innovative management thinking such as Lean Construction. 

UC Berkeley’s Construction Systems Program will educate you to lead tomorrow’s automation of the construction industry. You will learn to leverage these disruptions to realize the next generation of adaptable, resilient, sustainable smart buildings and infrastructure. We teach construction systems as a computational and at the same time as a management science, integrating people and technology with applications to realize state-of-the-art structural- and geotechnical designs for example, to launch you as a management professional, technologist, entrepreneur, researcher, or academic geared to drive construction industry transformation. 

PhD student Vishesh V. Singh with 360 degree camera capturing construction progress data.

Our curriculum includes: 

  • Construction viewed as a socio-technical system including its data science-, optimization-, and simulation aspects, 
  • Construction viewed as a project-based production system including its organizational-, financial-, planning-, control-, legal-, and contractual aspects, 
  • Integration of construction with structural- and geotechnical design, 
  • Technology including the use of scanning, sensing, machine learning, cloud computing, automation and robotics, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), 
  • Large-scale systems thinking including societal-scale mobility, energy flows, and urban forms, 
  • The opportunity and freedom to take courses in other disciplines. 

As a student in the Construction Systems Program you are encouraged to broaden your knowledge and problem-solving skills by taking courses in overlapping programs such as

  • School of Information - offering the Graduate Certificate in Applied Data Science
  • College of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS)
  • Department of Architecture
  • Department of City and Regional Planning
  • Mechanical Engineering

Our graduates find a wide range of employment opportunities in private industry and in the public sector, for example in tech companies, general contracting, consulting, design, building, transportation, and industrial construction firms, as well as in public- and private owner organizations, both domestically as well as internationally. 

As we are located in the San Francisco Bay Area ― the center of major local, national, and international construction activity ― our Program is strongly interlinked with industry. Our class projects and research leverage the ability to go observe as well as study specific local- and international projects. We draw on examples from commercial building-, heavy civil infrastructure-, industrial-, and residential construction throughout our curriculum. We also invite industry practitioners to present guest lectures describing industry challenges and solutions. 

Future of Construction (World Economic Forum)

2024-04-11 IDT

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Essential Civil Engineering Skills

Civil engineer at desk with monitor showing construction plans

Civil engineering plays a vital role in projects that make our daily lives run smoothly. For example, civil engineers help develop, design and maintain major infrastructure projects like roads, buildings, airports and bridges.

With the right skills, civil engineers can have an enormous positive impact on society and our communities.  

What Does a Civil Engineer Do?

The job description of a civil engineer is vast and depends on specialty. Civil engineers can troubleshoot problems, consult and work to upgrade infrastructure. The projects they work on may include constructing and maintaining buildings, tunnels, and water and sewage systems.

They collaborate with stakeholders, sharing their engineering expertise to focus on safety and efficiency. Through project management, clear communication and an understanding of engineering, they help our world function well from construction to maintenance. Some civil engineers work on a project from start to finish, but they can also be brought in for single stage.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the following responsibilities of civil engineers:

  • Analyze plans, survey reports, maps and other data related to project design
  • Consider regulations, site selection and other factors relevant to a project
  • Analyze the results of tests on soil and building materials to determine strength for foundations and other support
  • Prepare cost estimates for equipment, materials and labor to determine a project’s economic feasibility
  • Use design software to plan transportation systems, hydraulic systems and structures
  • Submit permit applications to local, state, and federal agencies, as needed and confirm that projects comply with regulations
  • Perform or oversee surveying to establish building locations, site layouts, grades and elevations to guide construction
  • Manage the construction or repair, maintenance, and replacement of buildings and infrastructure

Civil engineering skills are needed in both public and private sectors. Civil engineers can work for engineering services companies, federal, state and local governments, nonresidential construction companies and more.

Civil Engineer Qualifications

Candidates must hold at least a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field to pursue a career in civil engineering. Licensure requirements vary by state, but many engineers secure a Professional Engineer (PE) license, earning the title of professional engineers (PEs). PEs can supervise the work of other engineers, as well as sign off on projects. Some states require continuing education for engineers to keep their licenses.

Sometimes, engineers also gain specific certifications to demonstrate their knowledge in a specific area. For example, a Certified Planning Engineer certificate or a Certified Construction Manager credential.

Often, civil engineers pursue graduate-level education to prepare for leadership and management roles. Programs like the online Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Ohio University can help professionals stand out among the crowd and prepare them to earn PE licensure. When pursuing higher education in civil engineering, ensure that your program of choice is ABET accredited, indicating that it’s in line with the most up-to-date instruction.

Demand for civil engineers is expected to grow 5% between 2022 and 2032, resulting in 16,200 new jobs, according to the BLS. In addition, bipartisan federal initiatives may create many new engineering jobs. Those with certifications or graduate-level degrees are in an excellent position to fill new roles.

Advance Your Career with a Master in Civil Engineering

View Engineering Programs

Civil Engineering Skills

A variety of skills can help you lead a long and successful career as a civil engineer. They include:

  • Communication skills. Civil engineers must communicate with various stakeholders with diverse backgrounds orally and in writing. Complex information must be conveyed clearly to ensure efficiency and safety.
  • Decision-making skills. Civil engineers often have to weigh conflicting objectives, such as cost and safety, to ensure the best outcome for projects. Being a confident and competent decision-maker is an essential skill.
  • Leadership skills. PEs and those with master’s degrees often become managers, so it’s imperative that civil engineers can lead those in various roles and with differing backgrounds. Ensuring that a team works together toward a shared goal is vital in civil engineering.
  • Problem-solving skills. It’s often necessary to solve problems in real-time at every step of a project’s progress. Being able to evaluate an issue and quickly find safe, affordable solutions will help you succeed. 
  • Organizational skills. Civil engineers must juggle a lot of moving parts to run their projects. This requires top-notch organization and attention to detail to ensure that no aspect of a project goes unnoticed. 

Master's programs can help civil engineers sharpen these skills and more. For example, Ohio University’s online Master of Science in Civil Engineering helps you learn the following:

  • Design systems under various constraints for one or more areas of technical specialization
  • Develop leadership skills necessary to assume progressively more responsible roles in their profession
  • Exhibit effective communication skills necessary to interact in a diverse professional environment
  • Employ modern engineering and computational tools

Engineers who exhibit these competencies will be prepared to guide civil engineering projects effectively. 

How Do I Prepare for a Career in Civil Engineering?

Civil engineering is an important job that must be done correctly for public safety and functioning communities. A great deal of knowledge is needed to succeed as a civil engineer. The array of responsibilities of those in the field make the role complex, but with the right education, civil engineering is a great career option. Pursuing certificates along with master’s-level education will help you gain the essential engineering competencies necessary in this dynamic field. 

You should look for an engineering program led by civil engineering professionals who can help you learn the in-demand skills needed in the fast-paced field.

Programs like Ohio University’s M.S. in Civil Engineering ready you for any challenge that comes your way as a civil engineer. OHIO’s program boasts a low student-to-teacher ratio that provides a direct and individualized connection to experienced engineering faculty who are versed in a wide range of specialties. 

In Ohio University's classes, you’ll explore advanced topics and acquire specialized knowledge in environmental analysis of transportation systems, structural reliability, forensic analysis of construction failures and more. You will hone skills in cutting-edge engineering principles, advanced computational tools and analytical techniques to solve complex engineering problems. Graduate ready for an array of impactful leadership roles in as little as five semesters.

Your Future Starts Here

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Master’s Programs

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General Guidelines Civil MSE

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MEng in Smart Infrastructure Finance Guidelines

Renata Rae Strarostka, a CEE graduate research assistant, works on a new biodigester that converts organic solid waste from trash and wastewater into renewable methane inside 89 EWRB

Master of Science Programs / Master of Engineering Programs

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) offers three Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) degree programs and three Master of Engineering (MEng) degree programs, as well as multiple options for dual degrees in collaboration with other programs at the university. The MSE programs require 30 credit hours of graduate work (typically 10 courses) and include an optional thesis or major research project. The MEng programs require 26 credit hours of graduate work (typically 8 courses and 2 seminars) and do not require a thesis or other major research project.

Letters of recommendation are required for application to the MSE programs. Degree programs differ in the undergraduate degrees they require for regular admission.

Students who do not meet undergraduate degree requirements for regular admission may be granted conditional admission. Students may be required to take courses without graduate credit to remedy any deficiencies in their undergraduate programs.

Rackham – MSE Programs

Mse in civil engineering.

This program requires at least 15 hours of CEE courses. A student should expect to take at least eight hours in the area of specialization but will not be permitted to apply more than 21 hours in one area of specialization toward the MSE degree. Study programs are available in the following areas of specialization:

  • Construction Engineering and Management 
  • Geotechnical Engineering (PDF)
  • Hydraulic and Hydrologic Engineering (PDF)
  • Intelligent Systems Guidelines (PDF)
  • Materials and Highway Engineering (PDF)
  • Structural Engineering Guidelines (PDF)
  • Transportation Systems Engineering Guidelines (PDF)

Regular admission is open to students holding an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering or an equivalent.

For Fall ’24 Civil Engineering MSE guidelines, please click  here .

For Prior Civil Engineering MSE guidelines, please click  here .

For more information on the MSE in Civil Engineering and its subspecialties and statistics, click here .

MSE in Construction Engineering and Management

This program requires at least 18 hours of graduate courses in the Construction Engineering and Management Program. Also available are dual degree programs by which a student can receive a MSE in Construction Engineering and Management and a Master of Business Administration degree. Regular admission is open to students holding a degree in any engineering discipline.

For more information, click here .

Tishman Construction Management Program Guidelines (PDF)

For more information on the MSE in Construction Engineering and Management and its subspecialties and statistics, click here .

MSE in Environmental Engineering

This program requires at least 18 hours of graduate courses in the Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Program. Specific course requirements are given in the departmental Guidelines for this MSE degree. Students holding an engineering or science degree will be considered for regular admission.

For Fall ’24 MSE in Environmental Engineering guidelines, click  here .

For Prior MSE in Environmental Engineering guidelines, click  here .

For more information on the MSE in Environmental Engineering and its subspecialties and statistics, click here .

College of Engineering Programs – MEng Programs

Meng in construction engineering and management (ce&m).

This two-semester, 26-credit program is designed for those with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or equivalent and who want to pursue a professional career in the construction industry. Students with degrees from other disciplines will be accepted into this program but may require additional coursework. The MEng (CE&M) program includes core CE&M courses covering fundamentals, a CE&M elective allowing students to gain in-depth knowledge in specific knowledge areas, and electives in related subjects.

For more information on the MEng in Construction Engineering and Management and its subspecialties and statistics, click here .

MEng in Smart Infrastructure Finance

This two-semester, 26-credit program is for students interested in exploring the financial revolution driving next generation of digital infrastructure systems. Intended for engineering, business and policy students, as well as professional degree students, the program is designed to reflect the integration of big data analytics, finance and infrastructure systems, with application domains of choice across a wide range of infrastructure systems.

For more information on the MEng in Smart Infrastructure Finance, its career outcomes and statistics, click here .

For detailed information on program requirements, click here for guidelines .

MEng in Structural Engineering

This two-semester, 26-credit program is designed for those with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or equivalent and who want to pursue a professional career in structural design practice. Students with degrees from other disciplines will be accepted into this program but may require additional coursework. Students in this program will take at least five graduate-level structural engineering courses and will also select a minor area of professional emphasis.

For more information on the MEng in Structural Engineering and its subspecialties, click here .

For detailed information, view the program guidelines (PDF).

Dual Programs

Dual mse in environmental engineering or civil engineering / ms in sustainable systems.

This dual degree program combines a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Civil Engineering or in Environmental Engineering, and a Master of Science (MS) degree from the School for Environment and Sustainability. Two specializations are available in this dual degree (Sustainable Water Resources and Sustainable Energy Systems). More detailed information is available in the program guidelines.

For more information on the MSE in Environmental Engineering / MS in Sustainable Systems, click here .

For more information on the MSE in Civil Engineering / MS in Sustainable Systems, click here .

For this dual degree program guideline, click here .

Dual MSE in Construction Engineering and Management (CE&M) / Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The dual degree program requires the 12 hours of core courses and 9 hours of graduate construction electives in the MSE (CE&M) program and the 30 hours of core courses and 15 hours of electives in the MBA program. Students also take a 3-hour independent study course (CEE 630) to integrate general Construction Engineering and Management skills. Students also take Construction Contracting (CEE 431) if they have not taken it or its equivalent previously. The dual degree program combines the two-year, 57-hour MBA program with the one-year, 30-hour MSE (CE&M) program, resulting in a two-year (including Spring and/or Summer terms) 66- or 69-hour program. The dual degree program can be completed in two years if the first year is devoted to core MBA courses. 

For more information about this and other Master’s programs, click here . Or, for a program overview, click here .

Dual MSE in Construction Engineering and Management (CE&M) / Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Dual MSE degree programs combine a 30-hour MSE (CE&M) program with another 30-hour Master’s program resulting in a 51-hour program, 9 hours of which satisfy requirements for both programs. Usually these 9 hours are core courses from the other Master’s program, used as electives in the Construction Engineering and Management program. An applicant who has recently received or is working toward a master’s degree in another area of engineering at U-M can complete the MSE (CE&M) with an additional 21 hours of coursework.

Dual MEng in Construction Engineering and Management (CE&M) / Master of Architecture (MArch)

The dual degree program combines the two-year 60-hour MArch program with the one-year, 26-hour MEng. (CE&M) program, resulting in a two and half year, 71-credit-hour program.

Dual MEng in Construction Engineering and Management (CE&M) /Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The dual degree program combines the two-year, 57-hour MBA program with the one-year, 26-hour MEng (CE&M) program, resulting in a two-year (including spring and/or summer terms) 66- or 69-hour program. The dual degree program can be completed in two years if the first year is devoted to core MBA courses. This dual degree program can be completed as a “student initiated dual degree”.

transfer credit

Rackham students can transfer up to six (6) credits of unused, graduate level course-work taken outside of U-M to their Master’s program. Students may transfer a total of fifteen (15) credits of internal and external credit combined. A student must complete at least eight (8) hours of graded graduate-level coursework in Rackham and have at least a B cumulative grade point average before requesting a transfer of credit. Please see the Rackham handbook for rules governing transfer credit.

To place a transfer credit request, please submit your request via the Rackham transfer credit request system . Add the current graduate chair as “grad chair 1” and the graduate programs coordinator as “grad chair 2.”

Students in MEng programs follow the same rules as Rackham, but the request is made to the College of Engineering via paper form (PDF). Please contact the graduate programs coordinator for details.

Master’s most requested forms

Please note all election forms should be turned in to the Grad Coordinator via email or turned in to the Student Services Office in 2188 GG Brown Building.

  • SUGS MSE Election Form (PDF)
  • Civil MSE (Structures) Election Form (PDF)
  • Civil MSE (Construction, Geotech, Materials or Hydrology) Election Form (PDF)
  • Construction Engineering & Management MSE Election Form (PDF)
  • Environmental MSE Election Form (PDF)
  • Intelligent Systems MSE Election Form (PDF)
  • Transportation Systems MSE Election Form (PDF)
  • Construction Engineering & Management MEng Election Form (PDF)
  • Structural Engineering MEng Election Form (PDF)
  • Add a Degree or Certificate (PDF)

Close up of lab testing for carbon sequestration

Explore Michigan Engineering Master’s Degrees

Compare the various Master’s programs offered by University of Michigan College of Engineering.

CEE Graduate Handbook

Please review the following pages to get the graduate handbook for the year that you entered the program.

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  • Gabrielle Dunn — Outstanding Undergraduate of the College

PhD Student Madeline Pernat honored with prestigious NSF fellowship

Madelline Pernant in a sweater with snow on the ground.

This year the NSF awarded 27 University of Colorado Boulder students, including 18 from the College of Engineering and Applied Science, with the graduate research fellowship.

Fellows receive a three-year annual stipend of $37,000 and full coverage of tuition, fees and insurance, along with opportunities for international research and professional development that span five years. 

What does it mean to you to have received the NSF GRFP? Firstly, I am honored to receive the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. I am passionate about the research that I do, and I like to think that my enthusiasm for my work resonated with the reviewers. Secondly, I am grateful to everyone who has helped me reach this point in my academic journey, from my family, partner and undergraduate professors at Montana State University, to my current professors and advisors here at CU Boulder. I really see this award as a testament to the support of all these individuals – without them, I don’t believe I would be where I am today.

Tell me about your research. My research focuses on large-scale water management in the Colorado River Basin. The Colorado River is a vital source of water for the American Southwest, fueling its productive cities and agricultural regions. The utilization of the Colorado River’s waters is made possible by engineered infrastructure designed to store and deliver the river’s waters effectively – particularly through Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the largest reservoirs in the basin. These reservoirs function as “savings accounts,” storing water during times of surplus and allowing for the release and use of that water during drier periods.  However, since the onset of the Southwest's "megadrought" in 2000, these reservoirs have consistently experienced higher rates of withdrawals than replenishment, leading to significant drops in reservoir levels. As of now, Lake Powell and Lake Mead are only about one-third full.

The current policies governing the operations of Lakes Powell and Mead are set to expire at the end of 2026, necessitating the development of new "post-2026" policies. This process is being undertaken by the Bureau of Reclamation, amidst challenging conditions of ongoing drought and low reservoir levels. My research, currently funded by the Bureau of Reclamation, takes place against the backdrop of these negotiations. The development of these new policies involves significant challenges, to name a few: a) many people and stakeholders depend on the Colorado River, often with competing interests that are difficult to balance, and b) the future, especially in terms of hydrology, is uncertain – we don’t know how much water will be available in the post-2026 era.

My research addresses these challenges through a twofold approach. The first part utilizes multiobjective optimization to generate new potential operating policies. This approach is used due to the presence of many conflicting objectives within the basin, such as ensuring water deliveries, producing hydropower, and meeting environmental flow requirements. Given these conflicting objectives, there is no single "optimal" policy that can satisfy all objectives simultaneously. Instead, multiobjective optimization is used to search for a set of policies, where each policy strikes a unique balance among the objectives. The generated policies cover a wide range in terms of performance characteristics, enabling various stakeholders to identify policies that cater to their specific interests while also understanding their tradeoffs and potential shortcomings. 

Secondly, I am developing a novel visual framework to enhance the decision-making process. This framework will enable stakeholders and decision-makers to visualize the array of potential future scenarios we could experience post-2026, while also illustrating how various policies would perform across these potential scenarios. Utilizing a visual “map” (as shown in the bottom figure), users can navigate through these potential future scenarios and assess the performance of different policies at a simple glance.

Why is this research important to you? My research in water management is important because it bridges many important domains: engineering, data science, science communication, politics, economics and social justice. Although my academic background is primarily in engineering, I believe that in order to maximize my impact as a researcher, I must have a comprehensive understanding of these other diverse areas. I view the Colorado River Basin, with its pressing water management issues, as an exceptional case study for understanding this interconnectedness.

My interest in this research began in my undergraduate years after reading “Where the Water Goes” by David Owen, which discusses water management in the Colorado River Basin. Reading this book just seemed to connect the dots for me. It showed me a field where having a strong technical background in engineering is important for understanding the system and its challenges, while also emphasizing the need to understand and appreciate the system's broader societal and environmental dimensions.

Tell me a little more about your work with the Kasprzyk Research Group and CADSWES. The Kasprzyk Research Group primarily focuses on multiobjective decision problems and the optimization and analysis of environmental systems and CADSWES specializes in water resources systems modeling. Over the years, Professors Kasprzyk and Zagona have not only developed a strong connection between their research interests but have also established collaborative ties with the Bureau of Reclamation. Their collaborative efforts and the work of the many students they have co-advised, have significantly advanced water resources management, especially in the Colorado River Basin. I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of this team and to learn from some of the best in the field.

Pernat Research

Image caption:   Madeline Pernat developed a novel visual framework to enhance the decision-making process. Utilizing a visual “map," users can navigate through potential future scenarios and assess the performance of different policies at a glance. The figure on the left displays a map of potential future scenarios, where each hexagon, referred to as a neuron, represents a possible scenario in terms of hydrology and water demand. The figure on the right presents the same map but illustrates how a specific policy performs across each neuron/scenario.

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UGA launches new online M.S. in civil engineering

April 10, 2024

Graphic reading "Earn your M.S. in Civil Engineering 100% Online - now accepting applications through July 1, 2024"

The fully online program spans several distinctive areas within civil engineering, including structural and geotechnical engineering, project and construction management, and more. Students are offered a wealth of opportunities to hone their skills and experience real-world cases and projects facilitated by seasoned industry professionals. 

“The online M.S. degree in civil engineering mirrors the rigorous curriculum of our esteemed campus-based program, is taught by the same distinguished faculty, and can be completed in as little as two years, without affecting full-time work schedules,” said Mi G. Chorzepa, faculty director of the new online program. “I hope that my classes will allow students to gain real-world project experiences while also mastering a commitment strategy.”

The program’s industry collaborators represent a variety of sectors, including bridge engineering, fabrication, contractoring, state DOT, non-destructive testing, structural and geotechnical modeling, and the comprehensive integration of infrastructure systems. The diverse range of expertise equips students with a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills in engineering services.

UGA’s online M.S. in civil engineering cultivates a collaborative learning environment with close interaction among peers, faculty, and industry professionals. The curriculum follows a block format, with one course every eight weeks, including innovative studio courses. An asynchronous class structure allows coursework to fit in and around busy working schedules.

“I can confidently say that deciding to stay at UGA and study for my Master’s degree in Engineering was one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences I have had so far,” said Victor Lopez ’18, senior staff engineer at PARADIGM Structural Engineers. “I had the pleasure of working under the guidance of Dr. Chorzepa. Apart from her knowledge and expertise, Dr. Chorzepa’s defining quality in my opinion is that she truly cares about her students and their success. I would not be where I am today if not for UGA’s Master’s program and Dr. Chorzepa.”

For more information about the online M.S. in civil engineering, including application requirements, course offerings, and more, visit the M.S. in Civil Engineering online program page .

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Writer: Lillian Ballance

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  1. Civil & Environmental Engineering PhD

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    Doctoral Program in Civil Engineering. Get connected with a faculty member or program advisor! Overview. The Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is dedicated to educating professionals who will be responsible for creating a sustainable world by being planners, designers, constructors, and operators of the built and ...

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  24. 5 Essential Civil Engineering Skills You Need

    Complex information must be conveyed clearly to ensure efficiency and safety. Decision-making skills. Civil engineers often have to weigh conflicting objectives, such as cost and safety, to ensure the best outcome for projects. Being a confident and competent decision-maker is an essential skill. Leadership skills.

  25. Master's Programs

    The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) offers three Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) degree programs and three Master of Engineering (MEng) degree programs, as well as multiple options for dual degrees in collaboration with other programs at the university. The MSE programs require 30 credit hours of graduate work ...

  26. CEE Graduate Handbook

    Please review the following pages to get the graduate handbook for the year that you entered the program.2023 - 20242022 - 20232021 - 2022 CEE Graduate Handbook | University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science

  27. PhD Student Madeline Pernat honored with prestigious NSF fellowship

    Civil Engineering PhD Student Madeline Pernat received a 2024 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, a prestigious award that recognizes and supports outstanding students in a wide variety of science-related disciplines, for her research on large-scale water management in the Colorado River Basin.

  28. Study Master's degrees in Moscow, Russia

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  29. UGA launches new online M.S. in civil engineering

    The project-focused degree, referred to as the online M.S. in civil engineering, can be completed in two years, with the inaugural cohort now accepting applications until July 1, 2024. The fully online program spans several distinctive areas within civil engineering, including structural and geotechnical engineering, project and construction ...

  30. Mitu-masi

    The history of the university is unique: long-time mergers of universities of technological, humanitarian and creative orientation culminated in the creation of Moscow Information Technology University - Moscow Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering (MITU-MASI). The university has been proudly bearing this name since October 11, 2016.