Best Civil Engineering Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 6 colleges offering Civil Engineering programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 371 recent graduates. Graduates earn $61,502 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $60,160.

Schools in IL

$61,502

IL Avg. Earnings

$60,160

National Avg.

252

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Civil Engineering in Illinois

Public Schools (4)

$60,745

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (2)

$63,016

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $2,271 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Civil Engineering Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$65,148

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,590

Graduates: 110

Acceptance: 43.7%

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, IL · Private

$62,111

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,700

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 55.4%

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$57,770

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,616

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 97.2%

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

$63,921

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,353

Graduates: 42

Acceptance: 76.7%

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$61,839

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,644

Graduates: 88

Acceptance: 78.5%

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

$58,221

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,465

Graduates: 42

Acceptance: 90.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Civil Engineering in Illinois?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks #1 for Civil Engineering in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $65,148 within two years of graduation. There are 6 schools offering Civil Engineering programs in the state.

How much do Civil Engineering graduates earn in Illinois?

Civil Engineering graduates in Illinois earn an average of $61,502 within two years of graduation. This is 2% above the national average of $60,160 for this major.

What is the hardest Civil Engineering school to get into in Illinois?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the most selective Civil Engineering program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 43.7%. The average acceptance rate across Civil Engineering programs in the state is 73.7%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Civil Engineering in Illinois?

In Illinois, private Civil Engineering programs produce average earnings of $63,016 vs $60,745 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 4 public and 2 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $55,232

All colleges in Illinois →

Civil Engineering in Other States

California Pennsylvania Texas Ohio New York Florida Massachusetts Indiana Connecticut Washington Tennessee Michigan View All →

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.