Choosing a career as a civil engineer in Florida allows you to participate in the design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of various types of infrastructure. If you want to study civil engineering in Florida, this article will show the best civil engineering schools in Florida to choose from.
Not only will you get to see the best schools but you will learn the best way to become a civil engineer in Florida.
There are several reasons why you should pursue this field, especially if you are thinking of becoming an engineer in Florida. Firstly, it is a fast-growing profession that should have very positive growth prospects in the years to come. Secondly, it is a highly paid profession.
Also, civil engineering is a very demanding but satisfying career, because the engineer can work on a project from its conception to its completion. When driving over a bridge, seeing a building, leaving an airport, or visiting a museum, a civil engineer played an important role in this project.
This article will show you the best schools where you can study civil engineering in Florida. The table of content below will show all the questions that you might have in your mind about studying civil engineering in Florida.
What is Civil Engineering?
Civil engineering is the design and construction of public works, such as dams, bridges, and other large infrastructure projects.
It is also one of the oldest branches of engineering, dating back to the time when people started living in permanent establishments and shaped their environment according to their needs.
Civil engineering is a particularly exciting job because those working in this field can see the results of their work. Such as a completed bridge, a high-rise building, a subway station, or a hydroelectric dam.
The civil world is extremely diverse. Therefore, it follows that civil engineers have particularly varied career options even in Florida. This means that the answer to the question, what does a civil engineer do?
It is also varied, depending on the specialty pursued. However, regardless of the subdiscipline chosen, most civil engineers perform common tasks on a daily basis.
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What Does A Civil Engineer Do?
The field of civil engineering is one of the oldest branches of engineering, dating back to the time when people started living in permanent establishments and shaped their environment according to their needs.
Civil engineers are often responsible for large teams involved in project design, planning, and construction. This requires these team members, comprised of surveyors, construction managers, architects, landscape architects, and urban planners, to meet, collaborate, and regularly manage.
As populations increased and more and more people began to live together in cities, there was an increasing need for reliable sources of drinking water. Also, means of waste disposal, a network of streets and highways for trade and commerce, and a way for people to defend themselves against hostile neighbors.
This means that Civil engineers do much more than design buildings and bridges. They can also work in the aerospace industry, designing planes and space stations.
Meanwhile, they can be found in the automotive industry, calculating the load capacity of a chassis and improving the impact resistance of bumpers and doors.
Above all, they are part of the shipbuilding industry, the electrical industry, and several other industries that require built facilities.
In addition, they will spend a lot of time designing and planning projects and presenting proposals, needs assessments, budgets, and modifications to clients.
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Why Should I Study Civil Engineering in Schools in Florida?
Florida is among the third country with the highest number of civil engineers that are employed in the world. So if you are wondering why you should study civil engineering in any school in Florida, there are a lot of reasons.
Firstly, once you get an admission to any school in Florida that offers civil engineering, during the first two years of your degree program. The emphasis is on basic courses in chemistry, mathematics, physics, and mechanical engineering, complemented by practice-focused civil engineering courses.
Then classroom study is made more interesting by field trips and laboratory work.
As a junior and senior, you will complete various real-world design projects as part of the course assignments. And culminate in a two-course sequence called the Final Design Project in collaboration with a team of your peers.
During the cornerstone design project sequence, you will design a large-scale project in the real world, using good sustainability concepts, paying attention to local and global issues.
Also, you will learn to work in a multidisciplinary team and vastly improve your communication skills by writing a technical report and making presentations to industry leaders and potential employers.
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How Do I Become a Civil Engineer In Florida?
Civil engineers who want to work in Florida must obtain a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, which must be approved by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
However, an ABET-accredited civil engineering program is required to obtain a license to practice. This is one of the major requirements to work as a professional engineer (PE) in Florida.
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Civil engineering programs generally last four years in Florida. And include courses in mathematics, statistics, mechanics, and systems engineering and fluid dynamics, among other courses, depending on the specialty. Classes include a mix of traditional classroom learning, laboratory work, and fieldwork.
Continuing education is helpful in obtaining a managerial position. About one in five civil engineers has a master’s degree.
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What Jobs Can You Get With a Civil Engineering Degree in Florida?
Most of the civil engineers in Florida spend time outdoors on construction sites so they can monitor operations or troubleshoot on-site. While some civil engineers in Florida are employed in the private sector work for large construction contractors or as consultants.
However, most civil engineering jobs in Florida require at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Many employers, especially those offering engineering consulting services, also require state certification as a professional engineer.
But to advance to management most employers in Florida who employ civil engineers require a master’s degree and PhD education. Also, these employers require you to take training to keep up with advances in technology, equipment, hardware and software, building codes, and other government regulations.
Additionally, many employers require certification from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
Government institutions that employ civil engineers include public transportation and the military.
Here is a list of prospective jobs Civil engineers can engage in 2022:
The following is a list of the most common industries in which civil engineers in Florida works.
How Much Does A Civil Engineer in Florida Earn?
The median salary for a civil engineer in Florida is $66,589 as of June 28, 2022, but the range is generally between $60,962 and $75,171. Salary ranges can vary widely by city and many other important factors such as education, qualifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
According to Salary.com, as of July 2014, the salary range for a newly civil engineer graduate with a bachelor’s degree is from $55,570 to $73,908.
While, the range for an intermediate engineer with a master’s degree and five to 10 years of experience is $74,007 to $108,640. And the range for a senior engineer with a master’s or doctorate and more than 15 years of experience. it is from $97,434 to $138,296.
Many experienced engineers with advanced degrees are promoted to managerial positions or start their own businesses where they can earn even more.
According to payscale, an early career civil engineer with 1 to 4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (including tips, bonuses, and overtime compensation) of $50,146 based on 16 wages.
While a mid-career civil engineer with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $55,000 based on 5 wages. An experienced civil engineer with 10 to 19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $85,000 based on 8 wages.
At the end of their career (20 years and over), employees earn an average total compensation of $85,000.
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What is the Admission Requirements to Study Civil Engineering In Florida?
To work in Florida as a civil engineer, you will need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related work experience in a field related to additional education. In many cases, a master’s degree may also be required or at least highly recommended.
A civil engineer is an ancient and diverse field. It covers the widest range of tasks and employs around a quarter of all engineers. Civil engineers participate in the design and construction of structures essential for the well-being of humans, plants, and animals. As such, there is much to learn.
In general, for a college degree, students must wait approximately five years of study to graduate. The minimum GPA to complete is generally 2.0 to 2.5. In general, civil engineering programs will require the following courses in addition to the general education requirements.
Prospective students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to complete the admissions process. Requirements include a high school diploma from an accredited institution, official SAT / ACT scores, and transcripts from all postsecondary institutions that have already attended.
Any student wishing to be admitted to an undergraduate program in the CEE department will be directly admitted by the admissions office if the conditions for admission to the university are met.
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How Much Does It Cost To Study Civil Engineering In Florida?
You are undoubtedly concerned about the expenses that a school of civil engineering would require. This is a very valid survey as tuition and fees, accommodation, food, and other related costs can be quite expensive. You will need to prepare for this if you want to complete your civil engineering degree on time and with flying colors in Florida.
The amount you spend on your civil engineering degree will largely depend on whether you attend a public or private institution in Florida. Going to a public college or university in Florida will ultimately be cheaper, especially if you are eligible for tuition discounts for students in the state.
Most of the best civil engineering schools are public schools, which is very good news for students who reside in the states where these schools are located. This means that they can benefit from state discounts on tuition fees.
Civil Engineering Schools Estimated Tuition and Fees
At the University of California at Berkeley, for example, the annual tuition fees for students in the state are $11,220, while those for students outside the state are $34,098. The annual cost of fees and books is $1,654 and $1,213, respectively.
Tuition fees at the Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus are cheaper, at $7,718 per year for state students and $27,022 for outside students. The fees cost $2,380 and $1,200 for students inside and outside the state.
At the University of Texas at Austin, tuition fees for students in the state are $9,790 and $33,128 for foreign students. There are no fees and books cost $ 904 per year.
In addition to tuition, fees, and books, you should also budget for accommodation, food travel, and other personal expenses. This varies depending on the state you are in and how you control your spending. However, you would probably need to allocate $10,000 to $25,000 a year for these expenses.
The above costs are given before you can benefit from any form of financial assistance. Many students reduce the cost of their college education through scholarships and grants.
Be sure to visit your school’s financial aid office to ask if you may be eligible for these programs. You can always apply for a student loan in case you need more funds to finance your civil engineering degree. Remember that you have to repay these loans as soon as you start working
What Schools in Florida has an Education for Civil Engineering?
There are several schools in Floida that offer education in civil engineering. They include:
What is the Best Accredited Schools that offer Civil Engineering in Florida?
The school you choose to study civil engineering programs can have a major impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how they vary depending on the school in Florida you select.
One major factor is the number of programs and the accreditation body. Luckily enough, all the civil engineering schools in Florida are accredited by ABET. This means that all their undergraduate programs have gotten their accreditation from ABET so also their masters and PhD degrees.
Below we explained some of the most important factors to consider before choosing:
Ranking Methodology
In selecting the Best and Top-Ranked Civil Engineering Schools in Florida in 2020, we will be considering several ranking factors. Note that this World Scholarship Forum Ranking of Best Civil Engineering Schools in Florida is actually considering about 10 factors but we will explaining some in detail. They include:
Number of Programs: We consider these as one important criterion for ranking the Best and Top Civil Engineering Schools in Florida in 2020. Because some of these universities can have a good number of programs they offer which will avail you a lot of options to choose from.
Accreditation: This criterion is very much important because a school can be considered good with great programs but yet do not have quality. So, we consider the body of accreditation as well as certification for each of these schools before ranking them. Whether they fall in the category of regional or national accreditation.
Acceptance Rate: This is one aspect that is considered important because of the lower the acceptance rate the better the school. The acceptance rate of any universities in Michigan is a guide to show the quality of the university.
Graduation & Employment Rate: Here, we consider if these schools have a high tendency of graduating their students. Some can get enrolled but get stuck at the end. Also, we put into consideration whether school graduates are employable by great institutions. These factors are equally very much important.
#1. University of Florida
Address: 365 Weil Hall Gainesville, FL 32611
Acceptance Rate: 41%
Number of Programs: 4
Graduation Rate: 86.7%
The Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering is a recognized leader in innovative educational programs and is widely regarded as one of the best programs in the United States.
In addition, the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering of the Herbert Wertheim School of Engineering also offers a master’s and a doctorate.
Similarly, they have an accelerated program and the combined diploma program allows university students who qualify academically to obtain a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Minimum scores for many programs include a 3.2 GPA and a competitive GRE score for admission to graduate school.
For their ranking, collegefactual.com ranked this school as the #1 Best Colleges for Civil Engineering in Florida, and universities.com also ranked the school #1 Best Civil Engineering Colleges in Florida.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking the University of Florida as the #1 Best Civil Engineering Schools in Florida.
#2. Florida Institute of Technology
Address: 150 W. University Blvd. Melbourne, FL 32901
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Number of Programs: 4
Graduation Rate: 90%
The ABET-accredited civil engineering program at Florida Tech offers a small student-teacher ratio, with an average of 18 students per class within the department.
Most importantly, the Florida Tech teacher and peer support community is conducive to academic success, even in a challenging academic environment.
Qualified students, therefore, are encouraged by teachers to participate in research projects.
About 80% of their students have at least one internship experience before graduating. While 90% are offered jobs in their internships, which strengthens our reputation as one of the best civil engineering schools.
For their ranking, collegefactual.com ranked this school as the #3 Best Colleges for Civil Engineering in Florida, and universities.com also ranked the school #7 Best Civil Engineering Colleges in Florida.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking the Florida Institute of Technology as the #2 Best Civil Engineering Schools in Florida.
Accreditation
The civil engineering undergraduate program is accredited by the ABET Commission on Engineering Accreditation, http://www.abet.org.
#3. University of South Florida – Main Campus
Address: 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, ENG 030, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Number of Programs: 4
Graduation Rate: 74.7%
The Department operates an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE), which is accredited by the ABET Commission on Accreditation of Engineers.
Students pursuing the civil engineering program have the opportunity during their senior year to specialize in elective courses in geotechnics/transportation, structures/materials, or concentrations of water/environment.
Similarly, the department offers master’s and doctoral degrees (see below).
Meanwhile, the accelerated graduate program allows academically qualified students to complete a bachelor’s and graduate degree (usually a master’s degree) in an accelerated time frame, graduating earlier than traditional programs.
For their ranking, collegefactual.com ranked this school as the #2 Best Colleges for Civil Engineering in Florida, and universities.com also ranked the school #3 Best Civil Engineering Colleges in Florida.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking the University of South Florida as the #3 Best Civil Engineering Schools in Florida.
Accreditation
The USF Bachelor of Science program in Civil Engineering is accredited by the ABET Commission on Accreditation of Engineers. www.abet.org.
#4. University of Central Florida
Address: 12800 Pegasus Drive, Suite 211 Orlando, Florida 32816-2450
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Number of Programs: 9
Graduation Rate: 72%
The civil, environmental, and construction engineering department is located at UCF’s Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science. They also offer a diverse set of undergraduate and graduate programs to teach future engineers on how to improve the quality of life and safety in society.
Most importantly, the Department offers three accredited undergraduate programs.
Also, the Department offers six graduate or masters degree programs and two PhD programs.
Students enrolled in degree programs can also apply for a certificate program and are encouraged to speak with a graduate program coordinator about their interests.
For their ranking, collegefactual.com ranked this school as the #4 Best Colleges for Civil Engineering in Florida, and universities.com also ranked the school #2 Best Civil Engineering Colleges in Florida.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking the University of Central Florida as the #4 Best Civil Engineering Schools in Florida.
Accreditation
Civil engineering programs in this school is accredited by the ABET Commission on Accreditation of Engineers, www.abet.org.
#5. Florida State University
Address: Florida A&M University-Florida State University
College of Engineering
2525 Pottsdamer St., Tallahassee, FL 32310-6046
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Number of Programs: 4
Graduation Rate: 80.7%
Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs in civil engineering.
In addition, the department offers a bachelor-master course. This path offers academically talented college students the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree in 5 years.
Once approved, this course allows you to count two higher cycle hours for an undergraduate program. The student will earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) at the end of the undergraduate program and a Master of Engineering (MEng) degree at the end of the graduate program.
For their ranking, collegefactual.com ranked this school as the #5 Best Colleges for Civil Engineering in Florida, and universities.com also ranked the school #5 Best Civil Engineering Colleges in Florida.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking the Florida State University as the #5 Best Civil Engineering Schools in Florida.
Accreditation
All FAMU-FSU Joint Faculty of Engineering undergraduate programs are subject to the accreditation criteria established by the Commission on Accreditation of Engineers of ABET, Inc. http://www.abet.org.
#6. University of Miami
Address: 1251 Memorial Drive McArthur McArthur Engineering Building Coral Gables, FL 33146
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Number of Programs: 3
Graduation Rate: 72.9%
The University of Miami Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering (CAE) emphasizes excellence in education, research, and services aimed at shaping tomorrow’s civil, architectural, and environmental engineers.
The Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering offers accredited programs leading to Bachelor of Civil Engineering (BSCE) degrees.
Most importantly, the program provides strong experience in the fundamentals of mathematics, science, engineering, humanities, social science, and civil engineering. Students are exposed to theory and practice, as well as practical laboratory work.
Equally, the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering (CAE) offer a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) with three specialty areas:
- Structural Engineering and Structural Materials
- Environmental Engineering
- Water-Resources Engineering
In addition, the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering (CAE) offer a Ph.D. in civil engineering with the following fields:
- Civil Engineering
- Architectural Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
For their ranking, collegefactual.com ranked this school as the #6 Best Colleges for Civil Engineering in Florida, and universities.com also ranked the school #4 Best Civil Engineering Colleges in Florida.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking the University of Miami as the #6 Best Civil Engineering Schools in Florida.
Accreditation
Above all, the BSCE program is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET).
#7. Florida International University
Address: Civil and Environmental Engineering Florida International University
10555 W. Flagler Street, EC 3680 Miami, FL 33174
Acceptance Rate:
Number of Programs:
Graduation Rate:
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers Bachelor of Science programs in civil and environmental engineering, Master of Science programs in civil and environmental engineering, and doctorates in civil engineering.
Enrollment totals approximately 830 undergraduate students and approximately 175 graduate students, including more than 70 doctoral students.
Meanwhile, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Florida International University (FIU) offers two bachelor’s degrees. Both study programs are fully accredited by ABET.
In addition, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers advanced studies for the degrees of Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering. A graduate degree can enhance your career opportunities or prepare you for new successes in academia.
Although the combined or accelerated baccalaureate / master tracks of the CRF CEE are a popular option for students who want to start their graduate studies before completing their bachelor’s degree.
For their ranking, collegefactual.com ranked this school as the #7 Best Colleges for Civil Engineering in Florida, and universities.com also ranked the school #6 Best Civil Engineering Colleges in Florida.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking the Florida International University as the #7 Best Civil Engineering Schools in Florida.
Accreditation
The following undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org:
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering
So also the graduate programs too, they are got accreditation from ABET.
#8. Florida Atlantic University
Address:
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Number of Programs: 4
Graduation Rate: 58.7%
FAU is a public university with a fairly large student population and offers a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.V.) that reflects the scope of the profession.
In addition to its licensing programs, FAU offers a Master in Civil Engineering. Graduating students report an average starting career salary of $54,100.
In addition, the combined Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program with the Master of Science program offers students an attractive way to continue their graduate studies.
For their ranking, collegefactual.com ranked this school as the #8 Best Colleges for Civil Engineering in Florida, and universities.com also ranked the school #9 Best Civil Engineering Colleges in Florida.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking the Florida Atlantic University as the #8 Best Civil Engineering Schools in Florida.
Accreditation
Baccalaureate programs in civil, computer, electrical, geomatic, mechanical, and ocean engineering are accredited by the ABET Commission on Engineering Accreditation (EAC).
#9. University of North Florida
Address:
Acceptance Rate: 52%
Number of Programs: 4
Graduation Rate: 74.8%
The University of North Florida offers 2-degree programs in civil engineering. It is a great public university in a great city.
In 2018, 248 students graduated in the field of civil engineering studies with students earning 137 bachelor’s and 81 master’s degrees.
For their ranking, collegefactual.com ranked this school as the #9 Best Colleges for Civil Engineering in Florida, and universities.com also ranked the school #8 Best Civil Engineering Colleges in Florida.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking the University of North Florida as the #9 Best Civil Engineering Schools in Florida.
Accreditation
All the undergraduate programs in civil, computer, electrical, geomatic, mechanical, and ocean engineering are accredited by the ABET Commission on Engineering Accreditation (EAC).
#10. Florida Gulf Coast University
Address: 10501 FGCU Blvd. S. Fort Myers, FL 33965
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Number of Programs: 1
Graduation Rate: 54.1%
The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.) at the U.A. The Whitaker College of Engineering in Environmental and Civil Engineering integrates core courses common to all engineering programs. As well as specialized courses in various technical fields. Including construction, geotechnics, structure, transportation, water resources and others.
For their ranking, the universities.com ranked #11 Best Civil Engineering Colleges in Florida.
For this reason, the World Scholarship Forum is ranking the Florida Gulf Coast University as the #10 Best Civil Engineering Schools in Florida.
Accreditation
Above all, the B.S.C.E. The FGCU program is accredited by the ABET Commission on Engineering Accreditation, http://www.abet.org.
