Civil Engineering at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

UNH's civil engineering program delivers solid financial outcomes with a particularly appealing debt profile. Graduates carry $27,000 in loans—less than the national median—while earning $67,035 in their first year. That 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio means new engineers can realistically pay off their loans within a few years, even while managing other living expenses. As the only civil engineering program in New Hampshire, it serves as the state's primary pipeline for this profession.

The earnings picture requires some context. While UNH graduates start below the national median for civil engineering programs ($69,574), they're earning respectably for the field and show healthy 8% wage growth over four years to $72,231. The 33rd percentile national ranking reflects the program's position in the middle tier rather than among elite engineering schools, but the manageable debt load helps offset the modest starting salary.

For New Hampshire families, this program offers a straightforward value proposition: reasonable debt, reliable entry into a stable profession, and competitive in-state tuition at a highly accessible public university. The 87% admission rate means most serious applicants will gain entry. While your child won't command top-of-market engineering salaries, they'll graduate with debt they can handle and credentials that lead to steady employment in infrastructure, construction, and municipal planning—sectors with consistent demand across New England.