Civil Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

UIUC's civil engineering program stands out nationally—ranking in the 82nd percentile—yet holds the middle ground among Illinois schools at the 60th percentile. This positioning makes sense when you look at Illinois' competitive engineering landscape: the state hosts several strong programs, and UIUC sits just behind Bradley and IIT in first-year outcomes. Still, with graduates earning $73,397 immediately after graduation, this program delivers $4,000 above the state median and nearly $4,000 above the national benchmark.

The financial picture is particularly appealing. At $19,054 in median debt—about $4,000 less than the state average and $5,500 below national norms—graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.26. That translates to roughly three months of gross salary to cover student loans, one of the healthiest ratios you'll find for an engineering degree. Earnings climb to nearly $80,000 by year four, showing steady career progression.

For parents weighing cost versus outcome, UIUC offers strong value: better-than-average earnings with significantly lower debt than peer programs. The 44% admission rate and solid academic profile (1418 average SAT) suggest reasonable accessibility for qualified students. While Bradley edges ahead slightly in immediate earnings, UIUC's combination of lower debt and strong national reputation positions graduates well for long-term career growth in civil engineering.