Civil Engineering at University of Missouri-St Louis

Starting around $70,000 based on comparable Missouri civil engineering programs, this degree carries an estimated $26,828 in debt—a reasonable 0.39 ratio that puts loan payments at roughly 6% of first-year income. The four-year earnings figure of $74,276 shows modest but steady growth, typical for civil engineers who often see bigger jumps once they obtain their Professional Engineer license after several years in the field.

The estimated figures here come from just three Missouri programs, so the actual outcomes for UMSL graduates could vary. What's reassuring is that Missouri S&T and Mizzou—the state's flagship engineering schools—produce nearly identical starting salaries, suggesting civil engineering has fairly consistent outcomes across Missouri institutions regardless of name recognition. The national benchmarks align almost exactly with these state figures, indicating Missouri civil engineering programs generally prepare graduates competitively.

The value proposition looks solid if your child is committed to engineering. Civil engineering offers stable, middle-class employment with clear licensing pathways for advancement. The debt load is manageable enough that loan payments won't dominate their budget, and the profession's demand—especially for infrastructure work—provides job security. Just recognize these figures reflect peer programs rather than verified UMSL outcomes, so connect with the engineering department about their specific placement rates and employer relationships in the St. Louis region.