Compare 9 Civil Engineering. programs in Massachusetts. Average earnings: $75,281.
Civil Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $63,005 and $85,859—a $23K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 9 ranked programs in Massachusetts, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Civil Engineering program leads with graduates earning $85,859, well above the state average of $75,281. Wentworth Institute follows closely at $83,692, while Northeastern University rounds out the top three at $82,584—proving that specialized technical schools compete effectively with prestigious universities.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates borrow $22,763 and face just a 5.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, UMass-Lowell leads with a 12.1% family burden—proof that public options deliver strong value alongside solid outcomes.
Highest program earnings: $85,859
Strong outcomes with 58.5% acceptance
5.4% payment burden | Excellent
12.1% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $85,859 | 49 | $27,000 | Excellent | $53,567 | Challenging | |
| #2 | $83,692 | 75 | $25,028 | Excellent | $65,597 | Challenging | |
| #3 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $82,584 | 81 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Manageable |
| #4 | $80,416 | 81 | $22,763 | Excellent | $26,243 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Merrimack CollegePrivate | $75,556 | 21 | $27,000 | Excellent | $50,540 | Challenging |
| #6 | $73,411 | 88 | $23,704 | Excellent | $18,400 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $67,726 | 26 | $25,500 | Excellent | $42,068 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $65,279 | 25 | $25,000 | Good | $22,757 | Manageable | |
| #9 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $63,005 | 15 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | Challenging |
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 →
