The civil engineering graduate program is simply a continuation of the undergraduate coursework. It is designed to give students the skills and training needed for a more significant task in this field.
Having the extra education and experience associated with graduate work in civil engineering does not only prepare you for lucrative jobs. It enhances your knowledge and skills for a future in this rapidly evolving field.
Therefore, if you want to deal with civil engineering at an advanced level, you may have to consider enrolling in a graduate program.
Many institutions worldwide offer advanced degrees in this discipline, but not all are accredited and recognized by the appropriate accrediting organizations.
To make it easy for you, we have highlighted the world’s top graduate civil engineering schools. These colleges are fully accredited and offer programs leading to master of science in civil engineering. You can select the option that best suits your career aspirations.
Table of contents
- What Is Civil Engineering?
- Graduate Degree In Civil Engineering?
- How Much Does It Cost To enroll In a Masters degree In civil engineering?
- What are the requirements for obtaining a Masters in Civil Engineering?
- How Can I Apply for A Good Masters Program in Civil Engineering?
- What are the Best Graduate Civil Engineering Schools In The World?
- 1. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
- 2. Delft University Of Technology
- 3. University of Cambridge
- 4. University of California-Berkeley
- 5. Georgia Institute Of Technology
- 6. Imperial College London
- 7. Stanford University
- 8. University of Texas, Austin
- 9. Purdue University
- 10. Virginia Polytechnic and State University
- 11. Carnegie Mellon University
- 12. Cornell University
- 13. ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
- 14. Politecnico di Milano
- 15. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- What Can I Do With A Graduate Degree In Civil Engineering?
- How Much Can I Earn With A Masters In Civil Engineer?
- What is the Job Outlook For Civil Engineers With A Master’s Degree?
- Frequently Asked Questions On Best Graduate Civil Engineering Schools In The World
- Reference
- We Also Recommend
What Is Civil Engineering?
Civil engineering is a discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of physical structures such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewerage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways.
Civil engineers use basic science and apply physical and mechanical principles to design and manufacture complex engineering systems.
To become a civil engineer, you need a broad knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, heat transfer, mass transfer, electricity, manufacturing processes, and economics.
Graduate Degree In Civil Engineering?
A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering (MCE) program is focused on the design, assessment, monitoring, management, and rehabilitation of major infrastructures like plants, bridges, tunnels, and dams.
Furthermore, an MCE program usually takes a year or two, depending on the institution. Students are exposed to bigger and more complex coursework to achieve an education adequate to the demands of a rapidly changing world of work.
A master’s in civil engineering opens up many potential career paths for individuals in this field. They learn how to take design ideas and adapt them, taking into consideration various factors, like natural disasters, load factors, and more.
How Much Does It Cost To enroll In a Masters degree In civil engineering?
The cost of getting an advanced degree in civil engineering is dependent on quite a number of factors. First is the school and degree option.
Most Civil engineering schools charge higher tuition for out-of-state students. However, some schools charge flat tuition regardless of residency.
Another key factor is the number of programs. A school that offers a greater number of programs is bound to charge more compared to that with a lesser number of programs.
In summary, per-credit costs for Civil engineering graduate programs in typically range from $8,206 and $21,661 per year for students in a standard or full-time program.
Despite the costs, civil engineering is generally considered one of the most promising within the engineering field.
If you are worried about how to fund your program, you can access 401+ Scholarships for Engineering students.
What are the requirements for obtaining a Masters in Civil Engineering?
The major prerequisite to acquiring a master’s degree in civil engineering is the bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related discipline.
After acquiring your bachelor’s degree and passing the relevant professional exams, you can then obtain a Master’s degree. The graduate program is simply a continuation of the undergraduate curriculum but it will be more vast and challenging as well.
In addition, if you possess a master’s degree in civil engineering or a related field, you may decide to pursue a Ph.D. This will launch you into opportunities at the top levels of industry and employment in research or teaching.
How Can I Apply for A Good Masters Program in Civil Engineering?
To apply for admission in any graduate civil engineering school, you have to first, visit your preferred school site to view their requirements.
If you meet your school’s requirements, then you can proceed and acquire the admission form. Note that you can either do that online through the school website or you proceed to campus.
Furthermore, to gain admission into any civil engineering graduate school, you are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.
If you live in Chicago, Here are the Best Accredited Civil Engineering Schools Chicago | 2024
What are the Best Graduate Civil Engineering Schools In The World?
Below is a list of graduate civil engineering schools. Our selection criteria of these schools are the number of programs offered by the schools, education quality, average earnings of graduates, tuition, accreditation, and several other relevant factors.
Each school on our list has been fully approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
We got our data from reliable sources, testimonials, interviews, and contacting individual schools. You will have to read further to get information on the various degree programs offered, tuition info, and program options for these schools.
- Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
- Delft University Of Technology
- University of Cambridge
- University of California-Berkeley
- Georgia Institute Of Technology
- Imperial College London
- Stanford University
- University of Texas, Austin
- Purdue University
- Virginia Polytechnic and State University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Cornell University
- ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
- Politecnico di Milano
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
1. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Address: Cambridge, MA
Tuition: $53,450
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
MIT is a school to consider if you want the best out of the Civil engineering career. According to the US news rankings, this school ranks top on the list of best engineering schools and #7th for Civil engineering schools.
The reason is that the institution has a relatively small student-faculty ratio which allows the students to build a strong relationship with their tutors and other students.
The Civil and Environmental Engineering department of this school is fully accredited and offers programs leading to a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees.
Students in this program pursue an education in classrooms, laboratories, design subjects, as well as field subjects. The department also offers students such as UROPs, experiences abroad through MISTI or participation in many of MIT’s stimulating activities.
2. Delft University Of Technology
Address: 2628 CN Delft
Tuition: EUR 15,000
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
The Delft University Of Technology consistently ranks as the best university in the Netherlands. Recently, the school ranked among the top 15 engineering and technology universities in the world by QS World University Rankings.
The Civil engineering program at TU Delft provides a smooth learning curriculum that enables the students to have a better chance of getting personal coaching lectures.
Furthermore, the department is well equipped with state-of-art facilities to provide students with the necessary scientific knowledge and skills to contribute to society.
3. University of Cambridge
Address: Cambridge CB3 0FA, United Kingdom
Tuition: £9,250
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
One of the best Civil engineering programs is that of the University of Cambridge. The school ranks #2 in the 2024 edition of the best colleges and National Universities.
The Civil engineering program curriculum at Cambridge covers key concepts in mechanics, materials, and designs.
The department also offer research topics that aim to address issues, offer solutions, and advance technology within the civil engineering sector.
In addition to the program curriculum, Cambridge also offers financial aid to students in the form of loans and scholarships to reward outstanding achievement and also offer help to students in need.
4. University of California-Berkeley
Address: Berkeley, CA
Tuition: $29,272
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
UC-Berkeley is a school to offer a graduate program in civil engineering. The school features a variety of Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering courses.
The programs cover a wide range of courses that gives the students an advantage to top civil engineering companies within the state and the world at large.
The Master of Science program usually takes two semesters to complete. Students are expected to complete a minimum of 24 units of coursework with a comprehensive examination or report.
All major companies, government agencies, and industries seek graduates from the University of California-Berkeley.
5. Georgia Institute Of Technology
Address: Pasadena, CA 91125
Tuition: $16,507(per semester)
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
GIT is a leading research university and offers one of the best masters in civil engineering. The program ranks in the top 10 according to the U.S. News and World Report.
The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at GIT offers five masters and five doctoral degree programs. These programs offer opportunities for a wide variety of academic and career destinations.
Additionally, students can also gain valuable work experience through graduate assistantships in CEE, the Georgia Tech Cooperative Education Program, and the Georgia Tech Research Institute.
6. Imperial College London
Address: London, SW7 2AZ
Tuition: £9,250
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Imperial College London is a top civil engineering graduate school. ICL Department of Civil Engineering ranks consistently highly across several prominent league tables.
The school ranks 3rd in the world based on recent data from QS World University Rankings, 1st in the UK according to Education Guardian university guide (UK), and 3rd in the UK by The Sunday Times Good University Guide (UK).
ICL’s Civil engineering department features a wonderful setting that permits a balance of classroom lectures and laboratory and design experience.
Coursework in this program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to improve the quality of life for many people through engineering practice.
7. Stanford University
Address: Stanford, CA 94305
Tuition: $51,354
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Stanford University is an Ivy League institution. The US News and World Report data show that Standford consistently ranks among the top 5 national universities, with position #2 in her School of Engineering.
The master’s in civil and environmental engineering at Stanford features state-of-art facilities to provide students with the necessary scientific knowledge and skills they need to contribute to society.
The program synthesizes physical, biological, and chemical facets of engineering and science along with elements of the social sciences into the research and teaching.
8. University of Texas, Austin
Address: Austin, TX 78712, United States
Tuition: $10,554(in-state); $19,320(out-of-state)
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
The CAEE at UT, Texas provide students with the educational background and teamwork needed to innovate future solutions, technologies, and sustainable systems.
The program curriculum features courses that prepare students for work in research, development and product design at top firms.
Furthermore, the department provides students with state-of-the-art research, development, and design experience in the classroom.
Students can choose from a wide variety of study areas including Building Energy and Environments, Structural Engineering, Sustainable Systems, Ocean Engineering, and many others.
9. Purdue University
Address: West Lafayette, IN 47907-2051
Tuition: $9,208
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Duke University Civil Engineering graduate program is one of the best in the world. The college consistently ranks among the best engineering schools nationally and internationally.
The department features courses that enhance the student’s thinking and prepare them to handle problems in the real world.
10. Virginia Polytechnic and State University
Address: Blacksburg, VA 24061
Tuition: $15,340
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Virginia Polytechnic and State University have a great reputation for engineering programs. The Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering ranks the top 10 accredited civil and environmental engineering departments by the US News and World Report. It is also one of the largest programs in the United States
The department awards an MS, MEng, and Ph.D. in civil engineering. The course covers ten discipline areas, but students can choose one or two.
CEE department also features large research opportunities in a variety of subfields including civil infrastructure engineering, construction engineering and management, environmental engineering, geospatial engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydro systems engineering, structural engineering, and transportation engineering.
11. Carnegie Mellon University
Address: Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Tuition: $73,861
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Carnegie Mellon University is a great option for individuals interested in a graduate degree in Civil engineering. This institution is fully accredited and ranks for overall college quality in the US.
The civil engineering department at CMU offers a unique interdisciplinary graduate program that enables you to develop imaginative solutions to real-world engineering problems.
The program curriculum features topics in Advanced Infrastructure Systems (AIS), Environmental Engineering, Sustainability and Science (EESS), and Mechanics Materials and Computing (MMC).
12. Cornell University
Address: Ithaca, NY, 14853
Tuition: $29,500
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Cornell is a school to consider if you want the best out of the Civil engineering career.
The school offers three Graduate degree programs: A two-semester coursework and project-oriented program leading to the degree of Master of Engineering in either Civil and Environmental Engineering or in Engineering Management, a program involving research leading to the degree of Master of Science (M.S.), or a program involving intensive research leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
Each of these degree options features a variety of research programs in civil infrastructure, engineering systems & management, or environment.
13. ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
Address: Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122
Tuition: $32,500
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
UM’s Electrical Engineering program ranks in the top twenty in World according to the U.S. News and World Report.
The program features Digital Integrated Circuits, Electronic Circuits, and Principles of Optics courses.
The curriculum offers students the opportunity to engage in various research activities that give them the required experience.
14. Politecnico di Milano
Address: Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci, 32 Milan, Italy
Tuition: 3,898 EUR per year
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Politecnico di Milano offers a two-year MSc program. Students, however, complete the training gained during the bachelor’s degree program to achieve an education adequate to the demands of a rapidly changing world of work.
This program curriculum features four tracks that allow students to choose from either Geotechnics, Hydraulics, Transportation Infrastructures, or Structures.
15. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Address: Hung Hom, Hong Kong
Tuition: HK$448,800
Accreditation: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is one of the most popular schools to study Civil Engineering in Hong Kong. The school has a long history of innovation, design, and manufacturing in the state, benefiting aspiring engineers.
This school offers a one-year program leading to a master of science in Civil Engineering. This program is designed for students who wish to pursue in-depth studies related to civil engineering or broaden their knowledge of civil engineering by studying topics beyond their present level.
What Can I Do With A Graduate Degree In Civil Engineering?
Civil Engineering is one profession that has a variety of job opportunities. You may even create your own job. Below are some of the job positions available for a Civil engineer.
- Engineering Managers
- Architect
- Structural engineer
- Water resource engineer
- Regulatory Officers
- Engineering geologist
- Construction engineer
See also: Top 20 Entry Level Civil Engineering Jobs In 2024
How Much Can I Earn With A Masters In Civil Engineer?
The median annual wage for Civil engineers was $83,540 in 2016, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics.
Similarly, civil engineers with a master’s degree reported an average starting salary of $49,393.
In addition, an experienced Civil Engineer with 10-19 years of experience is expected to earn higher.
What is the Job Outlook For Civil Engineers With A Master’s Degree?
Data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics shows that the Overall employment of civil engineers is projected to be 6 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
However, As infrastructure continues to age, civil engineers will be needed to manage building projects, repair, and work on bridges, roads, dams, airports, and structures of all types. A graduate degree will be of great advantage.
Civil engineering is a fast-growing field in the engineering sector and offers a huge range of career opportunities. If you are a Civil engineer, you can acquire an advanced degree or learn a new skill by enrolling in the top graduate civil engineering schools in the world highlighted on our list.
Frequently Asked Questions On Best Graduate Civil Engineering Schools In The World
The top graduate schools for civil engineers are:
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Delft University Of Technology
University of Cambridge
University of California-Berkeley
Georgia Institute Of Technology
Imperial College London
Tuition in civil engineering graduate schools ranges from $30,000 and $60,000. However, most schools in the US offer financial aid to students.
A master’s degree holder in civil engineering may get employed in top construction companies, airports, and many other job settings related to this discipline.
Reference
- BEST MASTER’S IN CIVIL ENGINEERING DEGREES: collegechoice.net
- Degree Programme in Civil Engineering: ingciv.polimi.it
- Best Civil Engineering Programs: usnews.com
- What Can a Civil Engineer With a Master’s Expect to Earn?: work.chron.com
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