Compare 17 Civil Engineering. programs in Texas. Average earnings: $81,034.
Civil Engineering programs in Texas produce graduates earning between $56,688 and $95,271—a $38K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 17 ranked programs, outcomes track program quality, not institutional reputation. The right program, not the most recognizable name, drives your earning power.
Topping the list, The University of Texas at Austin's Civil Engineering program delivers $95,271 in median earnings—well above the $81,034 state average. Texas A&M University-College Station follows at $92,433, and Texas Tech University posts $89,969. Three public universities claim the top three spots, reinforcing that program-level outcomes matter far more than prestige.
For families weighing debt, Texas A&M University-College Station stands out: graduates carry just $17,804 in student loans and face a 3.5% payment burden—an 'Excellent' GPS affordability rating. When parent loans enter the picture, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley leads all programs with a 6.2% family burden, also rated 'Excellent,' on combined family debt of $21,057. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $95,271
Strong outcomes ($92,433) with 57% acceptance rate
3.5% payment burden | Excellent
6.2% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $95,271 | 143 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Good | |
| #2 | $92,433 | 202 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Good | |
| #3 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $89,969 | 85 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,443 | Good |
| #4 | University Of HoustonPublic | $89,653 | 73 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Excellent |
| #5 | Lamar UniversityPublic | $89,250 | 18 | $21,250 | Excellent | $11,359 | Excellent |
| #6 | $88,102 | 54 | $17,137 | Excellent | $15,463 | Excellent | |
| #7 | $86,844 | 102 | $17,527 | Excellent | $12,313 | Excellent | |
| #8 | $84,166 | 93 | $20,500 | Excellent | $13,859 | Good | |
| #9 | $84,082 | 10 | $27,000 | Excellent | $16,012 | Good | |
| #10 | Letourneau UniversityPrivate | $81,065 | 6 | $26,000 | Excellent | $24,703 | Manageable |
| #11 | $75,882 | 73 | $18,000 | Excellent | $11,916 | Good | |
| #12 | $75,033 | 62 | $22,934 | Excellent | $14,224 | Good | |
| #13 | $73,737 | 15 | — | — | — | — | |
| #14 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $71,957 | 23 | — | — | — | — |
| #15 | $71,848 | 100 | $12,950 | Excellent | $8,107 | Excellent | |
| #16 | $71,595 | 16 | $29,000 | Good | $19,929 | Manageable | |
| #17 | Angelo State UniversityPublic | $56,688 | 19 | — | — | — | — |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
