Analysis
Based on comparable civil engineering programs in Indiana, University of Evansville's graduates likely earn around $72,000 in their first year—right at the state median and slightly above the national benchmark of $70,000. The estimated debt of $25,500 creates a manageable 0.36 ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly four months' salary. This puts the program in line with what you'd expect from Indiana's civil engineering schools, though it's worth noting that Notre Dame and Purdue graduates report slightly higher starting salaries in the $74,000 range.
The challenge here is that we're working entirely from estimates. Indiana has nine civil engineering programs, but University of Evansville's graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. That makes it harder to know whether this specific program matches its peers or underperforms them. The 78% admission rate suggests a less selective program than Purdue or Notre Dame, which could translate to differences in employer networks or graduate outcomes that these estimates don't capture.
For a hands-on engineering degree, the projected debt load appears reasonable—civil engineers typically find steady work, and the salary should cover loan payments comfortably. But given the lack of actual data, you'd want to dig into University of Evansville's career placement specifically: where do their graduates actually work, and what companies recruit on campus? The estimates suggest solid value, but direct evidence from the school would confirm whether that holds true.
Where University of Evansville Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all civil engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Civil Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (9 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $42,676 | $71,685* | — | $25,566* | — | |
| $62,693 | $74,499* | $85,090 | $20,100* | 0.27 | |
| $9,992 | $74,369* | $75,048 | $19,500* | 0.26 | |
| $56,674 | $73,821* | $79,888 | $24,132* | 0.33 | |
| $46,588 | $69,549* | $71,094 | $27,000* | 0.39 | |
| $8,419 | $69,339* | — | $28,250* | 0.41 | |
| National Median | — | $69,574* | — | $24,500* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with civil engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Petroleum Engineers
Environmental Engineers
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Civil Engineers
Transportation Engineers
Water/Wastewater Engineers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Evansville, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in IN. Actual outcomes may vary.