Civil Engineering at University of Central Florida

UCF's civil engineering program sits right in the middle of Florida's offerings, outearning the state median by $8,700 while carrying notably less debt than most competitors. At $21,374 in typical debt—about $2,600 below the Florida median—graduates start with a manageable financial burden and first-year earnings of $69,321 that translate to a 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio. Among Florida's 13 civil engineering programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, placing it solidly above average despite trailing flagship programs like UF and USF.

The growth trajectory is steady if unspectacular: earnings climb 8% to $74,900 by year four, which tracks with typical civil engineering career progression. The debt advantage is meaningful here—UCF graduates owe roughly $7,100 less than the national median while earning essentially the same first-year salary. That lighter debt load gives graduates more flexibility in accepting entry-level positions across public and private sectors without immediate financial pressure.

For Florida residents paying in-state tuition, this represents solid value: you're getting competitive engineering training at one of the state's largest programs without the debt burden that comes with borrowing at other schools. The 40% admission rate makes it more accessible than UF while delivering outcomes that justify the investment, particularly for students who want to stay in Florida's growing infrastructure and construction markets.