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 $60,166.
6
Schools in IL
$61,502
IL Avg. Earnings
$60,166
National Avg.
225
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
#1
U
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public
$65,148
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $63,590
Graduates: 110
Acceptance: 43.7%
#2
B
Bradley University
Peoria, IL · Private
$63,921
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $59,353
Graduates: 42
Acceptance: 76.7%
#3
I
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL · Private
$62,111
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $60,700
Graduates: 27
Acceptance: 55.4%
#4
U
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL · Public
$61,839
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $61,644
Graduates: 88
Acceptance: 78.5%
#5
S
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, IL · Public
$58,221
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $59,465
Graduates: 42
Acceptance: 90.4%
#6
S
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL · Public
$57,770
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $57,616
Graduates: 62
Acceptance: 97.2%
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 $60,166 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
Mathematics and Computer Science $76,967 Chemical Engineering $69,173 Industrial Engineering $69,102 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $68,897 Engineering, General $67,238 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Materials Engineering $64,773
All colleges in Illinois → Civil Engineering in Other States
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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.