Civil Engineering at University of Florida

UF's civil engineering program sits in an interesting position—it delivers strong absolute earnings while managing to keep debt exceptionally low. At $72,889 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about 10% more than the state median and outperform the national average, placing them in the 77th percentile nationally. More impressively, the median debt of just $20,121 is roughly $3,000 below the state median and $4,400 below the national benchmark, giving this program one of the best debt-to-earnings ratios you'll find for this degree.

The 60th percentile ranking within Florida deserves context: while UF doesn't lead the state by a wide margin (USF edges it out by about $3,000), the combination of strong earnings and low debt creates a clearer value proposition than higher-earning competitors that often saddle students with more debt. The 9% earnings growth over four years shows steady career progression, and with a robust sample size of 100+ graduates, these figures are reliable indicators rather than statistical flukes.

For families weighing in-state options, this represents a solid investment at a highly selective institution (24% admission rate). The low debt load means graduates enter their careers with financial flexibility—whether that's saving for a home, pursuing a master's degree, or simply building wealth earlier. Among Florida's civil engineering programs, this offers one of the strongest combinations of earning potential and affordability.