Civil Engineering at Utah State University

Utah State's civil engineering program delivers strong outcomes at remarkably low cost. Graduates carry just $17,225 in debt—less than 70% of the national median for this field—while still earning $68,025 in their first year. That's only 2% below the state median despite the significant debt advantage. The 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio means a graduate working in civil engineering could theoretically pay off their entire loan burden in three months of gross income, an unusually favorable position for starting a career.

The earnings trajectory shows healthy 12% growth to $75,925 by year four, though Utah State graduates start about $4,000 behind University of Utah peers. In a field where licensing exams and project experience often matter more than institutional pedigree, this gap is relatively modest. The program ranks at the 40th percentile both nationally and within Utah—solidly middle-of-the-pack performance—but the debt positioning (95th percentile, meaning lower than 95% of programs) transforms the value equation considerably.

For families focused on engineering careers without excessive financial burden, this represents one of the better risk-adjusted options in the state. The accessible admission profile means more students can pursue engineering without both academic gatekeeping and debt accumulation. You're essentially trading a small earnings discount for substantially reduced financial pressure during the critical early career years when many engineers are preparing for their PE licensure.