Compare 6 Civil Engineering. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $74,234.
Civil Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $70,607 and $79,514—a $9K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 6 ranked programs in Illinois, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Civil Engineering program leads with graduates earning $79,514, well above the $74,234 state average. University of Illinois Chicago follows at $75,853, while Illinois Institute of Technology delivers $74,292—proving that strong outcomes aren't limited to the most selective programs.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Illinois Chicago graduates borrow $16,704 and face just a 4.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families including parent loans, UIC still leads with an 11.5% burden—proving smart program choice optimizes both outcomes and affordability.
Highest program earnings: $79,514
Strong outcomes with 79% acceptance
4.3% payment burden | Excellent
11.5% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $79,514 | 180 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $75,853 | 79 | $16,704 | Excellent | $24,323 | Good | |
| #3 | $74,292 | 37 | $25,000 | Excellent | $36,438 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | $73,795 | 31 | $27,000 | Excellent | $41,405 | Challenging |
| #5 | $71,341 | 32 | $21,543 | Excellent | $19,500 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $70,607 | 30 | $20,500 | Excellent | $21,500 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
