13 Best Civil Engineering Schools in the World | 2023

Many college graduates like design and construction always want to study civil engineering. However, gaining admission into some of the best undergraduate civil engineering schools is usually arduous.

Studying in any of the best schools for civil engineering will help you develop the skills you need to build a career. Are you looking for the top civil engineering schools to pursue a career in? Then, this article is the right one for you.

Here, you will choose the best engineering school considering tuition fees, program types, and location.

However, civil engineering is the most common and, maybe, the oldest engineering profession. Civil engineering schools prepare students to enter the workforce after they receive an associate degree.

Also, the entry requirements for those wishing to study civil engineering vary between schools. Many top civil engineering schools ask for strong academic grades in mathematics and science subjects. Many courses in this field are highly selective and competitive due to the specialized nature of civil engineering.

Who is a Civil Engineer?

A civil engineer conceives, designs, builds, supervises, operates, constructs, and maintains infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sectors.

However, these projects and systems include roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and water supply and sewage treatment systems. The duties of a civil engineer include the following:

• Firstly, checking long-range plans, survey reports, maps, and other data to plan and design projects.
• Secondly, compiling and submitting permit applications to local, state, and federal agencies, proving that projects comply with various regulations
• Thirdly, inspecting the soil testing results to check the foundations’ strength.
• Also, inspecting the results of tests on building materials, such as concrete, wood, asphalt, or steel, for use in construction.
• Next, use design software to plan and design transportation systems, hydraulic systems, and structures in line with industry and government standards.
• Furthermore, carrying out surveys to establish building locations, site layouts, reference points, grades, and elevations to guide construction.
• Finally, managing public and private infrastructure repair, maintenance, and replacement.

Check out our: 15 Best Technical Colleges in Massachusetts | 2023

How long will it take me to go to any of the best civil engineering schools?

A typical curriculum for a degree in civil engineering takes four (4) to cover. Students who attend school full-time and are successful in their classes can expect to graduate in 4 years.

However, in your freshman year, you will do the following courses:

• Chemistry
• Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Introduction to Applied Computing
• Mathematics (Calculus)
• Physics
• Reading and Composition
• Free Electives

  Courses in the sophomore year include:

• Basic Science Elective
• Introduction to Solid Mechanics
• Structure and Properties of Civil Engineering Materials
• Engineering Data Analysis
• Engineering Science and Sustainability Elective
• Mathematics (Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations)
• Physics
• Humanities/Social Studies
• Free Electives

Also, in the junior year, the student will offer:

• Elementary Fluid Mechanics
• Mechanics of Structures
• Elective Core Courses
• Engineering Science Elective
• Humanities/Social Studies

Finally, the courses in the senior year include:

• The Art and Science of Civil and Environmental Engineering Practice
• Design Elective
• Engineering Electives
• Humanities/Social Studies
• Free Electives

Kindly check this: 15 Best Civil Engineering Schools in Canada in 2023

How much does a Civil Engineer earn?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a Civil Engineer is $83,540 annually. Also, the lowest-paid 10 percent of Civil Engineers get less than $53,470. Besides, the highest-paid 10 percent make more than $132,880 each year.

However, you have a 50 percent chance of making between $65,330 and $107,140 annually. Also, the salary depends on the Civil Engineer’s location and type of employment.

Similarly, Civil Engineers in the Oil and Gas Extraction field earn $125,010 annually. Civil Engineers working for a state government agency earn only $82,300 annually.

What is the job growth for Civil Engineers?

However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of Civil Engineer positions to grow by as much as 11 percent through 2026. This growth is faster than average if you compare it to all other occupations. The reason is because of population growth and aging infrastructure.

What prerequisites do I need for a B.S. in Civil Engineering?

During the first two years, your studies include English composition, physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and introductory engineering. Also, the advanced engineering courses in the third year include solid and fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, laboratories in engineering materials, hydraulic engineering, environmental monitoring, and process engineering.

Honestly, you must meet all the prerequisites before receiving a B.S. Finally, acceptable letter grades in math, physics, chemistry, and COE are requirements for the B.S. EnvE degree.

Best Civil Engineering Schools in 2023

#1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. However, it is a small institution with an enrollment of 4,510 undergraduate students.

Furthermore, it has an acceptance rate of 8% and a graduation rate of 94%. Also, the student-faculty ratio is 3:1, while the tuition fee is $48,452.

 Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

Address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139

School Link

#2. The National University of Singapore (NUS)

This institution was formerly a medical school. This best civil engineering school has 17 faculties and schools across three campuses. However, over 38,000 students from 100 countries enrich the community with diverse social and cultural perspectives. 

Besides, school engineering at NUS teaches aspiring civil engineers to seek innovative solutions to tackle the ever-changing problems associated with the living environment.

Thus, this top civil engineering school has an acceptance rate of 25% and the graduation rate (N/A). Also, the National University of Singapore has a student-faculty ratio of 8:1. The tuition fee is S$31,800.

Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Address: 21 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, Singapore 119077

School Link

#3. The University of California, Berkeley

This public research university in Berkeley, California, was founded in 1868.

Thus, UCB has an acceptance rate of 17% and a graduation rate of 91%. Similarly, the student-faculty ratio is 18:1. However, this civil engineering school has a tuition fee of $14,184 (California residents) and $43,176 (out-of-state students)

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Address: 200 California Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, U.S.A

School Link

#4. Georgia Institute of Technology

This school of Civil Engineering is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta, Georgia. However, this school is one of the top Civil Engineering schools that offers ABET-accredited undergraduate degree programs for future civil engineers.

Furthermore, it has an acceptance rate of 26% and a graduation rate of 86%. Also, the student-faculty ratio is 21:1, while the tuition fee is $12,424 (in-state) and $33,020 (out-of-state).

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Address: North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30332, United States

School Link

#5. Delft University of Technology

TU Delft is the largest and oldest Dutch public university of technology. However, this institution is one of the best schools for civil engineering and is located in Delft, Netherlands.

The STEM subjects in this school include Civil and structural engineering, Mechanical engineering, Environmental Studies, Engineering and Technology, and Architecture.

Furthermore, it has an acceptance rate of 70% and a graduation rate of 77%. Also, the student-faculty ratio is 6:1, while the tuition fee is EUR 2,060 (in-state) and 10,384 EUR (out-of-state).

Accreditation: Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Netherlands

Address: Mekelweg 5, 2628 CD Delft, Netherlands

School Link

#6. University of Cambridge

Well, the University of Cambridge is the second oldest in the English-speaking world and was founded in 1209. However, this top school for Civil Engineering offers an undergraduate engineering degree with a civil, structural, and environmental engineering specialization.

Thus, Cambridge has an acceptance rate of 21% and a graduation rate of 83%. Similarly, the student-faculty ratio is 4:9. Though, though this institution has a tuition fee of 9,250 GBP (in-state) and 21,732 GBP (out-of-state).

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

Address: Old Schools, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TN, U.K

School Link

#7. ETH Zurich-Swiss Federal Institute of Technology

However, this top Civil Engineering is a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics school in Zürich, Switzerland. Also, this school combines solid theory with practical application, and most degree programs build on strong mathematical foundations.

However, this technical college in Boston, MA, has an acceptance rate of 27% and a graduation rate (N/A). Also, the student-faculty ratio is 38.

Finally, the tuition fee is 1,200 EUR per year.

Accreditation: The Confederation

Address: Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland

School Link

#8. Politecnico di Milano

The Polytechnic University of Milan, founded in 1863, is the largest technical university in Italy. However, this best Civil Engineering school offers undergraduate, graduate, and higher education engineering, architecture, and design courses.

Furthermore, it has an acceptance rate of 90% and a graduation rate of 55%. Also, the student-faculty ratio is 30, while the tuition fee is 3,500 EUR (in-state) and 3,900 EUR (out-of-state).

Accreditation: Italian Ministry of Education

Address: Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milano MI, Italy

School Link

#9. Stanford University

Stanford University is a private research university in Stanford, California. This best school for Civil Engineering has one of the largest university campuses in the US.  

Also, this top Civil Engineering school has an acceptance rate of 4% and a graduation rate of 95%. Similarly, the student-faculty ratio is 12:1. However, this school has a tuition fee of $51,354.

Accreditation: Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Address: 50 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, U.S.A

School Link

#10.Tsinghua University

This university was established in 1911. It is a major research university in Beijing and a member of the C9 League of Chinese universities.

Thus, Tsinghua University has an acceptance rate of 83% and a graduation rate of 75%. Similarly, the student-faculty ratio is 12:1. This best Civil Engineering school has a tuition fee of 28,000 CNY.

Accreditation: Ministry of Education of The People’s Republic of China

Address: 30 Shuangqing Rd, Haidian, Beijing, China

School Link

You can also read: Civil Engineering Conferences for International Students 2023-2024

#11. University of Oxford

This is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. However, Oxford University is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Also, it is the second-oldest university in continuous operation after the University of Bologna in the world.

Oxford University has an acceptance rate of 17.5% and a graduation rate of (N/A). Also, Oxford, one of the world’s best Civil Engineering schools, has a student-faculty ratio of 17:1.

Finally, the tuition fee is 9,250 GBP.

Accreditation: Privy Council

Address: Oxford OX1 2JD, United Kingdom

School Link

#12. The University of Sydney

The University of Sydney is a public research university in Sydney, Australia, which was founded in 1850. Besides, it is the first university in Australia and is regarded as one of the best universities in the world. 

Also, the acceptance rate is 30%, while the graduation rate of 88%. The faculty-student ratio is 10:1. The tuition fee is between 36,000 and 57,000 AUD annually.

Accreditation: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Address: Camperdown NSW 2006, Australia

School Link

#13. The University of Tokyo

This is a public research university located in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. It was founded in 1877 as the first imperial university. Also, it is one of the most famous universities in Japan. 

Similarly, this trade school in MA has an acceptance rate of 34.2% and a graduation rate of (N/A). Also, Smith College, one of Massachusetts’s best engineering colleges, has a student-faculty ratio of 9:1.

Besides, the undergraduate tuition fee is 535,800 JPY.

Accreditation: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan

Address: 7 Chome-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan

School Link

FAQs on the Top Civil Engineering Schools in the World

Conclusion

Civil Engineering is a combination of many scientific specializations. Similarly, these specializations include mechanics, hydraulics, geotechnics (using knowledge of the earth’s crust to solve construction problems), materials science, and statistical analysis.

However, once you study civil engineering at the undergraduate level, you’ll learn to apply mathematics and scientific knowledge to real-life situations. Also, you can apply it to problems that arise from creating and maintaining structures, considering environmental, financial, legal, and ethical considerations.

References

• Civil Engineering: Requirements for Becoming a Civil Engineer
• Top universities where you can study Civil Engineering
• 7 tips for getting into civil engineering
• Best Civil Engineering Programs – US News & World Report

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