Civil Engineering at Temple University

Temple's civil engineering program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—slightly below the state median of $70,391 and trailing the national average by about $1,200. Among Pennsylvania's 17 civil engineering programs, it ranks at the 40th percentile, with graduates earning less than those from Drexel, Lehigh, or Bucknell, but managing solid six-figure career potential nonetheless. The $26,665 debt load is reasonable and slightly below state norms, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39.

The 9% earnings growth from year one to year four shows steady progression rather than explosive gains, though civil engineering tends to be a field where experience and licensure matter more over time. Temple's high admission rate and significant Pell grant population (30%) suggest it serves a broader economic demographic than some competitors, which may explain the earnings gap—students here might be balancing work and school differently or entering different market segments within civil engineering.

For families seeking an affordable path to a stable engineering career, Temple delivers without crushing debt. But if your child has the credentials for Drexel or Lehigh and can manage the likely higher cost, those programs show notably stronger early earnings. Temple works best for students who value staying in Philadelphia, keeping debt low, and building toward professional licensure over time rather than maximizing starting salary.