Compare 46 Civil Engineering. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $77,124.
Civil Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $78,509 and $95,056—a $17K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 46 ranked programs in the Northeast, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Cornell University's Civil Engineering program leads with graduates earning $95,056, followed closely by Carnegie Mellon at $93,769. The average across all programs is $77,124, yet Manhattan College's program delivers $90,904—proof that smaller private colleges can compete with prestigious names when program quality matters most.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 2.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, CUNY City College leads with a 7.4% family burden despite strong $81,836 outcomes—proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $95,056 | 37 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #2 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $93,769 | 25 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Manageable |
| #3 | Manhattan CollegePrivate | $90,904 | 105 | $26,000 | Excellent | $56,630 | Challenging |
| #4 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | $88,494 | 34 | $16,000 | Excellent | $59,000 | Manageable |
| #5 | $87,839 | 43 | $27,000 | Excellent | $53,192 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $85,859 | 49 | $27,000 | Excellent | $53,567 | Challenging | |
| #7 | New York UniversityPrivate | $85,133 | 26 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | Challenging |
| #8 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $84,685 | 41 | $26,000 | Excellent | $39,841 | Manageable |
| #9 | $83,692 | 75 | $25,028 | Excellent | $65,597 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $83,661 | 28 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $82,696 | 70 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Challenging | |
| #12 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $82,584 | 81 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Manageable |
| #13 | $81,842 | 21 | $22,300 | Excellent | $19,642 | Good | |
| #14 | Cuny City CollegePublic | $81,836 | 93 | $11,990 | Excellent | $17,460 | Excellent |
| #15 | $81,556 | 88 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,324 | Manageable | |
| #16 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $81,375 | 33 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Manageable |
| #17 | $80,416 | 81 | $22,763 | Excellent | $26,243 | Manageable | |
| #18 | $79,267 | 169 | $21,000 | Excellent | $22,866 | Good | |
| #19 | $78,739 | 91 | $21,500 | Excellent | $25,294 | Manageable | |
| #20 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $78,509 | 46 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #21 | Bucknell UniversityPrivate | $78,184 | 29 | $27,000 | Excellent | $62,750 | Challenging |
| #22 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $78,003 | 51 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Manageable |
| #23 | University Of New HavenPrivate | $77,976 | 18 | $27,000 | Excellent | $54,414 | Challenging |
| #24 | $76,597 | 64 | $24,250 | Excellent | $35,031 | Manageable | |
| #25 | Clarkson UniversityPrivate | $76,578 | 72 | $26,000 | Excellent | $36,890 | 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 →
