Analysis
Based on comparable civil engineering programs nationwide, BYU-Idaho appears positioned right at the national median with estimated first-year earnings around $70,000—solidly in line with what University of Idaho and Boise State graduates report earning. The debt picture looks manageable too, with an estimated $27,000 burden translating to a 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning roughly five months of gross income to cover total borrowing. That's better than the national median debt of $24,500 suggests you might expect, given the school's private status.
The caveat here is that both figures are estimates drawn from peer institutions since BYU-Idaho's civil engineering program has too few graduates for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes. That could mean the program is still ramping up, or simply small by design. Either way, you're investing based on what similar programs produce rather than a proven track record at this specific campus. The fundamentals look sound—civil engineering credentials generally deliver consistent returns, and the school's 97% admission rate suggests accessibility without obvious red flags in the debt structure.
For parents weighing this option, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if your student is committed to engineering and prefers BYU-Idaho's environment. Just recognize you're banking on this program performing like its peers rather than on documented outcomes from Rexburg graduates already working in the field.
Where Brigham Young University-Idaho Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all civil engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Idaho
Civil Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Idaho (4 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,656 | $69,574* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $8,816 | $68,885* | $71,170 | $21,500* | 0.31 | |
| $8,782 | $65,648* | $67,269 | $27,000* | 0.41 | |
| National Median | — | $69,574* | — | $24,500* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with civil engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Petroleum Engineers
Environmental Engineers
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Civil Engineers
Transportation Engineers
Water/Wastewater Engineers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Brigham Young University-Idaho, approximately 25% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 220 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.