Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University-College Station

Texas A&M's civil engineering program outperforms the typical Texas program by over $14,000 annually, though it surprisingly trails UT Austin by just $640—despite A&M's reputation as the state's premier engineering school. At $75,793 starting, graduates earn more than 95% of civil engineering majors nationally, while carrying debt that's $5,000 below the national median. That 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly three months' salary, manageable even for entry-level engineers.

The 60th percentile ranking within Texas needs context: this puts A&M solidly in the upper half among 20 programs, essentially tied with the state's top schools. The real standout here is the value equation. With only $19,500 in debt and starting salaries approaching $76,000, A&M delivers elite outcomes at a lower cost than most programs. The 8% earnings growth to $82,000 by year four suggests steady career progression, typical for civil engineers who gain value through licensure and experience.

For families weighing Texas engineering programs, A&M offers top-tier earnings potential without the premium debt load. The 63% admission rate makes it more accessible than UT Austin while delivering nearly identical financial outcomes. This is particularly compelling for in-state students who can further reduce costs with resident tuition.