Civil Engineering at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

UT-Knoxville's civil engineering program produces graduates earning about $7,000 less in their first year than the national median for this major—landing in just the 17th percentile nationally. While that might sound alarming, the Tennessee context tells a more reassuring story. The program sits right at the state median and in the 40th percentile among Tennessee's eight civil engineering programs, essentially matching what University of Memphis and UT-Chattanooga deliver. The $21,450 in median debt is reasonable, with graduates owing just one-third of their first-year salary.

The real concern is the modest earnings trajectory: four years out, graduates are making $69,659, barely closing the gap with the national median. That 8% growth over four years suggests civil engineers from this program aren't commanding the salary premiums that top programs achieve. However, Tennessee's lower cost of living partially offsets the earnings difference, and the manageable debt load means graduates aren't struggling with payments while they build their careers.

For families focused on staying in Tennessee, this is a solid regional choice that won't saddle your child with excessive debt. But if they're academically competitive for more selective engineering programs elsewhere, those could offer better long-term earning potential that justifies any additional investment.