Civil Engineering at Brigham Young University

BYU's civil engineering program delivers its strongest advantage through extraordinarily low debt—at just $9,370, graduates carry about one-tenth the national median burden for this degree. That 95th percentile ranking for low debt represents a massive financial head start that compounds over a career, even though starting salaries land slightly below the national median at $68,685.

Within Utah's small civil engineering landscape, this program sits comfortably in the middle for earnings (60th percentile), essentially matching the state median while dramatically undercutting debt levels. The comparison to University of Utah's $72,156 starting salary shows a $3,500 gap, but BYU graduates would need to earn only about $700 more annually to offset their debt advantage in the first decade. The 7% earnings growth to year four suggests steady, if unspectacular, career progression.

For families prioritizing financial security over maximum earning potential, this represents an exceptional value. The combination of accessible admissions (69% acceptance rate), strong academic environment (1376 average SAT), and minimal debt creates a low-risk entry into a stable profession. Your child would graduate with essentially no financial burden while earning a solid middle-class income, making this one of the safer engineering investments available.