2026 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Civil Engineering
Browse the cheapest online master's in civil engineering degrees from a list ranked by manually calculated tuition.
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Pursuing an affordable online master's in civil engineering lets working professionals deepen expertise in project management, structural analysis, and environmental systems, all without stepping away from their careers.
Key Takeaways:
- At first glance, the #1 cheapest online master's in civil engineering is at the University of Central Florida ($4,322/year for in-state students). However, North Carolina A&T State University has only slightly higher tuition annually, yet the program is designed to be completed in just one year instead of two.
- More than half the schools on this ranking charge identical tuition rates regardless of residency.
How We Rank "Most Affordable" Schools
The OnlineU research team manually collects and verifies tuition data for every school on our lists, ensuring you see accurate, up-to-date costs whether you're pursuing an associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral program. To qualify, schools must offer fully online degrees, hold institutional accreditation, and have verifiable enrollment data through the National Center for Education Statistics. While some of our rankings include partner schools, every school is evaluated using the exact same criteria.
We prioritize schools that offer a consistent tuition rate across programs at the same degree level, so you're not caught off guard by unexpected price differences between majors, and for graduate programs we go a step further by individually calculating program costs since credit requirements and fees vary widely.
2026 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Civil Engineering
| Rank | School | Annual In-State Tuition | Annual Out-of-State Tuition | Recommendation | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida | $4,322 | $17,277 | 94% | N/A | |
| North Carolina A&T State University | $4,680 | $15,966 | 90% | N/A | |
| Kennesaw State University | $5,895 | $5,895 | 89% | N/A | |
| Texas Tech University | $6,045 | $6,045 | 92% | N/A | |
| University of Florida | $6,730 | $10,350 | 91% | $100,137 | |
| Old Dominion University | $7,290 | $9,735 | 88% | N/A | |
| University of Missouri | $7,404 | $7,404 | 98% | N/A | |
| North Carolina State University | $8,524 | $26,273 | 95% | $113,353 | |
| Mississippi State University | $8,715 | $8,715 | 87% | N/A | |
| The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga | $9,052 | $9,811 | 100% | N/A | |
| University of Virginia | $9,600 | $9,600 | 94% | N/A | |
| Colorado State University - Fort Collins | $9,930 | $9,930 | 88% | $99,679 | |
| Washington State University | $10,380 | $10,380 | 86% | N/A | |
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | $10,800 | $10,800 | 94% | N/A | |
| Ohio University - Main Campus | $11,033 | $11,315 | 95% | N/A |
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- This is the #1 cheapest online master's in civil engineering degree at $4,322/year for two years.
- UCF intentionally positions its general MSCE as a broad infrastructure management degree while simultaneously offering separate online specialty pathways in Structural, Transportation, Water Resources, and Smart Cities. This way, you can either specialize immediately or have the program remain cross-disciplinary while studying emerging infrastructure systems.
- Civil engineering is increasingly overlapping with sensors, connected infrastructure, traffic data systems, resilience planning, and urban technology management. UCF explicitly integrates infrastructure systems management and cyber-physical systems into the curriculum.
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray UCF as a largely positive experience shaped by scale, opportunity, and self-direction. Students frequently praise approachable professors, diverse campus life, strong school spirit, modern facilities, and abundant internships, research, clubs, and career connections, especially for those who actively network and use office hours. Many say the university feels smaller once they get involved, despite its size. The main frustrations are equally consistent: oversized classes, difficult registration, parking, uneven advising, and repeated complaints about financial aid and administrative responsiveness. Several reviews also note that some departments feel under-supported, leaving graduates to create their own career path.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 3,637 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 92%
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- Civil engineering is already closely tied to public need, but NCAT frames its MSCE around some of the field’s most concrete pressures, including aging infrastructure, clean water, sustainable energy systems, intelligent transportation, environmental remediation, and climate-related infrastructure challenges. That gives the program a more specific purpose.
- NCAT is America’s largest public HBCU and one of the country’s most important producers of Black engineers, so this program sits inside a broader institutional mission around expanding access to engineering careers.
- NCAT names employers such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Duke Energy, state transportation departments, Fluor, Jacobs, Brown and Caldwell, S&ME, Smith Group, and WSP.
1 Student Review for Master's in Civil Engineering Degrees
Having an initiative seeking mindset is the main focus for being able to achieve most projects and research as a graduate student. However the faculty are very supportive and the student guidance is also very helpful. So far I am very satisfied with the... Read More
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray North Carolina A&T State University as a highly supportive, career-oriented environment rooted in strong school pride, community, and mentorship. Students frequently praise attentive professors, approachable advisers, and alumni involvement that make the campus feel family-oriented rather than impersonal. Many say the university helped them build confidence, clarify purpose, and enter the workforce with practical skills, internships, or strong job prospects. Students also value the vibrant campus culture, events, and sense of history. Criticisms are less common, but they point to inconsistent teaching quality in some courses, limited online offerings, resource constraints, large introductory classes, cost for out-of-state attendees, and occasional concerns about program length.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 667 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 78%
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- This online MSCE feels engineered around the realities of mid-career civil engineers. KSU gets specific about who the program is actually for 鈥� working professionals trying to move into management, prepare for the PE exam, satisfy licensure-related goals, or expand into college-level teaching while remaining employed full time.
- KSU’s non-thesis design is very customizable, as students complete four courses in one concentration and then three courses in another concentration. This cross-concentration setup is designed for engineers whose careers overlap multiple systems, projects, or management functions.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Kennesaw State University are largely favorable, with many students praising caring, knowledgeable professors, practical instruction, and strong preparation for careers, graduate study, or professional certifications. Students also highlight flexible online and evening options, smaller class feel within a growing campus, useful clubs, research, networking, and modern facilities. The most consistent complaints center on administrative friction: confusing advising, transcript and admissions delays, frustrating financial aid processes, and difficulty tracking graduation requirements. Students also repeatedly mention parking shortages, limited course availability, rising costs and fees, and uneven career services, with some feeling treated like a number rather than an individual.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 2,903 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate: 77%
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- This online MSCE is a highly technical “build-your-own-depth” degree for students who want flexibility across the civil, environmental, and construction engineering spectrum. As such, it may appeal to civil engineers whose jobs already cross multiple domains. A transportation engineer, for example, could still add pavement design, data analysis, water resources, or construction coursework instead of being locked into one lane.
- TTU’s online MSCE lists many modern and analytically focused courses, such as Machine Learning for Civil Engineers, Advanced Data Analysis, Structural Reliability, Sustainable Material Systems, Surface Water Modeling, and Natural Systems for Wastewater Treatment.
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Texas Tech University as a generally rewarding experience built on supportive professors, strong campus spirit, and abundant ways to get involved, from research and organizations to athletics and community outreach. Many reviewers say the school prepared them well for graduate study, internships, teaching, or career growth, especially when they actively used advising, career services, and faculty office hours. Lubbock is often described as isolated or less exciting, yet still a comfortable, affordable college town with a strong sense of belonging. Criticism centers on inconsistent teaching quality, disorganized expectations in some departments, weak job placement in certain fields, bureaucratic frustrations, and occasional communication gaps.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 2,638 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 85%
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- Students only need 15 of the 30 credits inside their selected ESSIE department, while the remaining 15 can come from any graduate-level online course available at UF with advisor approval. UF’s master's program lets civil engineering students build a degree around adjacent fields such as GIS, construction management, geomatics, soil and water science, public health, biostatistics, management, or environmental sciences.
- Students can choose either the M.E. or M.S. path with essentially the same curriculum, while the M.S. adds a final exam requirement. That gives students a choice between a professionally oriented engineering credential and a research-coded science credential.
- Many large online operations have scale but not always such high degree completion. UF hosts ~6,800 online students, the highest on this list, while also boasting a 92% graduation rate.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of the University of Florida are overwhelmingly positive, driven by strong academics, respected faculty, and a campus culture students describe as energetic, diverse, and deeply connected through the "Gator Nation" network. Many say the school opened doors through research, internships, mentoring, career placement, and alumni connections, while online learners often praise flexibility and responsive instructors. Students also value affordable in-state tuition, beautiful facilities, and abundant clubs, sports, and campus resources. Criticisms center on large lecture classes, inconsistent advising and administration, weak financial aid, heavy workloads, limited hands-on or career preparation in some areas, parking and safety concerns, and occasional reports of bureaucracy or political bias.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 6,855 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $100,137
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 98%
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Old Dominion University as a generally well-regarded, diverse campus where many students value approachable professors, strong advising, flexible online, evening, and hybrid formats, and coursework that often feels career-relevant. Students frequently praise internship pathways, transfer-friendly options, affordability, and abundant clubs, events, and community resources. Nontraditional, military, and working adults especially appreciate scheduling flexibility. Recurring frustrations center on inconsistent administrative support, particularly with financial aid, advising, registration, and transcript processing. Students also cite parking costs and scarcity, uneven housing and food quality, limited class availability in some online tracks, and persistent concerns about crime in surrounding neighborhoods.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.1 Student Review for Master's in Civil Engineering Degrees
The pro of the graduate program is that it is one of the best schools in Virginia to achieve a Master's Degree. The con is that the cost of graduate school is very expensive and students who pursue graduate school do not receive a lot of grants or scholarships.... Read More
- Graduate Online: 3,246 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 46%
- Retention Rate: 77%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of the University of Missouri are broadly positive, driven by strong ratings and near-universal recommendations. Students consistently praise accessible, caring professors, a beautiful campus, abundant organizations, and a lively college-town atmosphere that blends academics, athletics, and social life. Many say the school offers solid value, especially with scholarships, assistantships, in-state pricing, and practical opportunities such as research, internships, career services, and early hands-on training. Less favorable themes center on large introductory classes, uneven advising or department-specific support, expensive tuition or limited aid, weak career placement in some fields, parking headaches, online disconnection, and concerns about prestige, discrimination, or poor lab leadership.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 2,371 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 93%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of North Carolina State University are overwhelmingly positive, with most describing a large university that still feels surprisingly personal once you find your department, clubs, or cohort. Students repeatedly praise approachable professors, strong research and hands-on learning, and clear career payoff through internships, co-ops, career fairs, alumni networks, and job placement. Many say the school balances rigor with practical preparation, especially in technical and professional fields. Common drawbacks include the campus feeling overwhelming, uneven advising, slow administration, parking and transportation frustrations, older housing, limited funding or financial aid for some graduate study, and a few reports of poorly organized or excessively rigid programs.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.1 Student Review for Master's in Civil Engineering Degrees
Pros I feel that North Carolina State University has the most convenient online graduate program in the country. I look foward in accomplishing my educational goals at N.C. State.
- Graduate Online: 2,269 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $113,353
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 94%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Mississippi State University are largely positive, with many describing a close-knit, welcoming campus that feels like home despite its size. Students frequently praise approachable professors, supportive advisors, strong mentoring, and plentiful clubs, research, and networking opportunities that build confidence and lead to jobs. Affordability, scholarships, and flexible online options are recurring strengths. Less favorable feedback centers on inconsistent advising, weak career placement support, underwhelming upper-level coursework in some areas, limited funding, rising online fees, and poor administrative responsiveness. A few students also cite concerns about minority support and Starkville’s remote location or limited entertainment.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.1 Student Review for Master's in Civil Engineering Degrees
i am getting a big experience during my education at Mississippi state University. professors teach very well and they give us lots of opportunity for researching. But there is no enough funding opportunity.
- Graduate Online: 1,935 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 83%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga are broadly positive, with students repeatedly praising caring professors, approachable faculty, and the benefits of a smaller campus with manageable class sizes and strong access to office hours. Many say the campus is attractive, walkable, and closely connected to Chattanooga’s outdoor amenities, downtown spaces, and athletic culture. Students also value affordability, flexible scheduling, online options, and supportive advising that helped them recover academically or balance full-time work. Less favorable feedback centers on uneven career services, limited employer recruitment connections, and, for some, workloads that felt heavy while working.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 611 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 73%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of the University of Virginia are overwhelmingly favorable, with many describing a rigorous, high-value education paired with strong school spirit, memorable traditions, and a vibrant social scene. Students frequently praise excellent professors, broad extracurricular choice, networking, and Charlottesville’s beauty. Many say the university helped them grow intellectually, personally, and professionally, while opening doors after graduation. Recurring drawbacks include uneven advising, high tuition or living costs, limited diversity, social elitism, large or impersonal classes in some areas, and occasional complaints about inaccessible faculty, intense competition, parking, transportation, and a party culture that can feel exclusionary.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 1,559 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 98%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Colorado State University - Fort Collins are broadly favorable, driven by strong ratings, high recommendation rates, supportive professors, and a campus-town combination that many describe as beautiful, social, and easy to enjoy. Students frequently highlight accessible faculty, small upper-level classes, hands-on or career-relevant learning, strong online flexibility, and meaningful research, internship, or fieldwork opportunities. The less obvious concerns center on uneven advising, administrative communication gaps, and departments that feel disorganized, dismissive, or overly theoretical. Several reviewers also mention limited diversity, high costs or weak financial aid, aging facilities, transportation issues, and some programs feeling less practical than expected.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 2,699 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $99,679
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 86%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Washington State University are largely favorable, with praise centered on a strong sense of community, memorable school spirit, and an immersive college-town setting that helps students build friendships, network, and feel supported. Many describe approachable professors, small or intimate class experiences in some settings, research and internship opportunities, and flexible options across campuses and online formats. Criticism is more targeted than universal: advising and administrative support are inconsistent, some reviewers found certain coursework too theoretical or poorly sequenced, and several online and Global Campus experiences were described as confusing, rigid, and low quality. Cost, limited local entertainment, and party culture also surfaced repeatedly.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 889 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 61%
- Retention Rate: 78%
Student Review Summary: Reviews are largely favorable, with most describing a demanding but high-value experience built around small classes, accessible professors, and unusually strong networking. Many say faculty treat them as individuals, offer practical career guidance, accommodate full-time work through evening scheduling, and connect coursework to real-world application. Students also praise leadership development, discipline, close alumni ties, and lasting friendships. Less obvious strengths include strong administrative help with funding, meaningful research opportunities, and community-based learning. Criticisms center on high cost of living and tuition, limited online or course options, aging facilities, heavy time demands, uneven academic rigor in some classes, and one sharply negative account of a toxic culture.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Graduate Online: 739 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 86%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Ohio University - Main Campus are broadly positive, driven by strong ratings and near-universal recommendations. Students consistently praise caring, accessible professors, practical preparation, and advising that helps with graduate school, jobs, and hands-on experiences such as placements, research, and internships. Many also value the beautiful, walkable campus, supportive small-town atmosphere, and abundant clubs, which often create a home-away-from-home feeling and lasting friendships. Online learners highlight flexibility, responsive instructors, and programs that fit full-time work. Common drawbacks include limited networking in online formats, occasional disorganization or unclear requirements, uneven advising access, affordability concerns, and a location some find isolated or hilly.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.1 Student Review for Master's in Civil Engineering Degrees
I am extremely impressed with the jmcomic漫画 environment at Ohio University. They have set up a easy to use system that promotes active involvement with my fellow classmates. While I am just starting my Graduate Degree, I am positive that the support I will... Read More
- Graduate Online: 2,576 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 84%
Stories Behind the Cheapest Online Master's Programs in Civil Engineering: An Editorial Analysis
The ROI Giant for Civil Engineering
North Carolina State University馃弳
NC State's civil engineering master's produces graduates with the highest median earnings figure (~$113K) on our entire list. It lands in the top 3% nationally, yet tuition remains only $8,524. That combination is difficult to find. Plus, there's no thesis requirement, no residency requirement, and no entrance exam barrier, yet the outcome metrics remain elite: 85% graduation and 93% retention.
Most Direct Engineering Career-Placement Framing
The University of Central Florida 馃弳
While most engineering schools vaguely mention 鈥渃areer readiness,鈥� UTC directly references paid internships, public-agency relationships, independent technical work, and graduates securing jobs before finishing the degree. The program repeatedly emphasizes advanced computing, project autonomy, transportation systems, and structural health management as differentiators between graduate and undergraduate engineers. That framing feels pragmatic and workforce-oriented.
The Cost Story the Tuition Number Misses
Old Dominion University 馃弳&苍产蝉辫;
ODU ranks among the more affordable civil engineering master's programs on the list at $7,290 annually, but the student feedback highlights an uncomfortable reality about graduate engineering education. Even 鈥渁ffordable鈥� master鈥檚 programs can still feel financially out of reach without strong funding support. One reviewer specifically praised the academic reputation of the civil engineering program while simultaneously describing graduate tuition as very expensive and criticizing limited grants and scholarships.
This serves as a reminder that 鈥渓ow tuition鈥� in the field of civil engineering often reflects relative affordability within a costly graduate field.
FAQs About Affordable Civil Engineering Master's Degrees Online
Are Online Master鈥檚 Degrees in Civil Engineering Actually Cheaper Than On-Campus Programs?
In many cases, yes, especially once you account for more than just tuition. Online civil engineering master鈥檚 degrees often allow engineers to continue working full time while earning their graduate degree, which can seriously reduce the financial burden of graduate school. Meanwhile, traditional on-campus programs may require relocation, reduced work hours, commuting expenses, parking fees, and lost wages from stepping away from full-time engineering roles.
According to the , graduate tuition and required fees at public institutions are growing significantly across the country. This is a key reason many working engineers are seeking more affordable online alternatives.
The curated list above shows that online engineering degrees are no longer limited to small or lesser-known schools. Online civil engineering master's degrees from University of Central Florida, University of Florida, and North Carolina State University combine comparatively low tuition with strong graduation rates, retention rates, online infrastructure, and, in some cases, top-tier salary outcomes.
However, 鈥渃heaper鈥� doesn't always equate to inexpensive. Graduate engineering education remains costly relative to many other fields, and student reviews on this page repeatedly mention financial pressure even at lower-priced institutions. At Old Dominion University and Mississippi State University, some reviewers specifically pointed to limited funding support and graduate aid. The affordability advantage of online programs is often relative within engineering education.
Which Online Civil Engineering Programs Offer the Best Value Relative to Salary?
The strongest value proposition on this list likely belongs to North Carolina State University. NC State reports median earnings of approximately $113,353 while annual tuition remains just $8,524. That earnings figure places the school near the top of the dataset nationally while still maintaining relatively accessible tuition for a major public engineering university.
The University of Florida also stands out from a return-on-investment perspective. UF reports median earnings above $100,000 while maintaining annual tuition of $6,730 for in-state students. What makes UF especially notable is that it combines flagship-university branding, very large online scale (~6,800 online students), and exceptionally high completion outcomes. Student reviews frequently reference the long-term value of the 鈥淕ator Nation鈥� network, internships, and employer recognition attached to the university鈥檚 name. In practical terms, that suggests students may be buying both technical training and institutional reputation simultaneously.
Why Do Some Online Civil Engineering Programs Charge the Same Tuition for All Students Regardless of Residency?
Many universities increasingly view online graduate engineering education as a national market. Historically, public universities charged lower tuition to in-state students because state taxpayers subsidized a portion of educational costs. Online programs complicate that model because students are no longer physically using many campus services or relocating into the state economy. As a result, schools often adopt a flat-rate pricing structure designed to attract working professionals nationwide.
The list above reflects that shift, as you can see in the table comparing in-state and out-of-state pricing.
Flat-rate tuition also serves as a competitive recruiting strategy. Civil engineering is already a relatively niche online graduate field compared to more popular fields, so universities compete heavily for working engineers across state lines.
Can a More Expensive Civil Engineering Master鈥檚 Degree Still Be a Better Financial Decision?
Lower tuition is only one part of the ROI equation. Some programs justify higher prices through stronger salary outcomes, employer pipelines, specialized training, alumni networks, or faster paths to leadership, to name a few examples. A program that costs several thousand dollars more upfront may still deliver substantially better long-term earnings or career mobility later down the road.
NC State, for instance, isn't the cheapest option on this list 鈥� but its reported median earnings exceed $113,000.
Also, when a degree improves promotion opportunities, licensure progress, or management-track advancement, it can also add up financially.
Program structure adds another layer to the value calculation you have to make. Some schools offer deep specializations aligned with growing infrastructure markets. E.g.,
- UCF emphasizes smart cities, cyber-physical systems, and infrastructure management
- Colorado State focuses on water resources and environmental systems
- Old Dominion offers a rare coastal engineering track tied directly to resilience and sea-level-rise challenges
In these cases, students are, in a sense, buying access to technical niches with increasing labor-market demand.
How Much Can Engineers Realistically Save by Choosing an Affordable Online Master鈥檚 Degree?
The savings can be substantial. On this list alone, annual tuition ranges from roughly $4,300 at UCF to around $11,000 at Ohio University 鈥� and compared to private graduate engineering programs that can exceed $30,000-$50,000 per year, the difference over a two-year degree adds up quickly.
But the biggest financial advantage may come from something less obvious: preserved income. As we discussed above, most of these online programs are built around full-time employment. Kennesaw State, The Citadel, and Washington State heavily market "flexibility for working professionals." Staying employed while earning a degree can mean avoiding tens of thousands of dollars in lost salary and benefits.
Additional savings can come from accelerated formats (see "program length" in the school descriptions above), flat-rate tuition structures, transfer credits, and eliminated relocation costs.
Student Reviews of Online Civil Engineering Programs
I am attending the Engineering Graduate program. The program is very poor. Courses were easy & assignment were light. Not much challenge. Almost all midterms & exams did not match the lecture slides or even the book! The midterms & exams made up a huge portion of your grade. Thank god some professors make is open books & notes. Otherwise, it's impossible to pass! Professors were very poor at teaching & hardly responsive. Some professors were decent at responding & teaching. They don't seem to care... Read More
Review Date: 6/24/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The pros of my graduate program is that it is completely online; however, this can be a con as well because the instructors don't really teach.
Review Date: 4/1/2015
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
I am extremely impressed with the jmcomic漫画 environment at Ohio University. They have set up a easy to use system that promotes active involvement with my fellow classmates. While I am just starting my Graduate Degree, I am positive that the support I will receive from the school will be top notch.
Review Date: 8/25/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
If you are thinking about a Master's in Civil Engineering, this is an excellent option. I lived in California when I started. By the end, I lived in Eastern Europe. That is part of the power of the online learning environment. A second benefit is the staff at Norwich. One of the instructors was in the field overseeing the construction of a cell tower in Kyrgyzstan. Another was a full-time engineering professor at a major university in California. All the others were working professionals. Ph.D.'s,... Read More
Review Date: 1/11/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Pros I feel that North Carolina State University has the most convenient online graduate program in the country. I look foward in accomplishing my educational goals at N.C. State.
Review Date: 3/30/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I would definitely recommend the Civil Engineering program. The professors are very articulate and they make the whole learning experience an worth it. The class sizes were small but diverse and Registration for me was hassle free. It helps to form study groups as part of the college experience.
Review Date: 10/24/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Pros: graduate program offers urban planning is what I want to study. It is my passion. Cons: disabilities access is poor quality. I am deaf and need better accessible to communicate.
Review Date: 3/31/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I am a Master's student in the Transportation Engineering program at Pitt. The ability to take classes either in a classroom or through the distance learning program, has been invaluable. The instructors all work in the industry, so they have hands on experience. They are great resources for classwork as well as real world situations and post graduation job hunting. I am easily able to manage 2 classes while working full-time. Pittsburgh is a fabulous city with a relatively low cost of living, and... Read More
Review Date: 9/9/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The faculty is exceptional and very accessible. The campus is well laid out and very pleasant. Can't top Albuquerque's weather and blue skies anywhere!
Review Date: 9/4/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The CE Graduate Program at UNM is a wonderful and challenging program filled with professors who are always willing to take the time to help you. The actual Albuquerque area can be a little sketchy though, the police department has been criticized for it's overuse of violence and the public transportation afforded here is pretty much non-existent.
Review Date: 4/28/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Virginia Tech (VT) was one of the best schools I could have hoped for coming out of high school. Going in as an engineer, education was a top priority and VT checked all the right boxes. It was the best experience I could have asked for. As an out of state student, I had great friends and really enjoyed my classes and the overall feel.
Review Date: 4/1/2026
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Duke University is a well-known school with strong academics and many opportunities for students. The campus is beautiful and has a lot of resources like libraries, research programs, and student organizations. The professors are knowledgeable and supportive, which helps students learn and grow. However, it can be very competitive and the workload can be challenging. Overall, it is a great place for students who are motivated and ready to work hard.
Review Date: 4/23/2026
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Avoid the civil engineering department. Poor quality of instruction and horrendous advising. Many classes are taught by PhD students rather than professors and those professors who do teach are unorganized. Graduate advisers are condescending and unhelpful. Expect no support from them. Expected more from a school like UW.
Review Date: 4/11/2018
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
i am an international student, currently enrolled in Forida Atlantic Univeristy. the campus is gorgeous, the faculty is most welcoming and the helpful and warm words from the on-campus staff helped me decide on this college. i, being a foreigner was very anxious with my choice of college but I am extremely proud and happy about my choice of school.There are plenty of on and off campus options for living and extra curricular activities. its a home away from home.
Review Date: 8/1/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I am currently enrolled in MS in Civil Engineering program at Lamar University. I will be graduating at 2018. Lamar university is at located Beaumont, Texas, which is a small town. Living expenses is low here. Also, Lamar University provides Out-of-State Waiver to international students. Therefore, overall cost of attendance is pretty affordable. Lamar University offers a General Civil Engineering degree. Various courses such as structural, geotech, water resources, transportation and environmental... Read More
Review Date: 8/21/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Studying Civil Engineering at NMSU is the most rewarding experience because one can not find any where as cheap as this school and at the same time with highest quality of education. The faculty is so friendly and it feels like home. Though the city is kind of isolated from the rest of the world, the place is a home to various fun activities.
Review Date: 9/9/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The University of South Florida is a campus that prides itself of high academic and career achievement, and certainly, it is true. The professors are approachable, and student can easily talk and discuss research, classes or career experience. The class size (at least for my graduate program) is small and create a one-on-one discussion with the professor, and this helps with the detailed understanding of the subject matter. The campus is big and nice, and there is a high diversity of students on... Read More
Review Date: 3/2/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The civil engineering program at BYU is welcoming and challenging. The professors are all willing to go the extra mile to help you succeed, and as far as I know most of the research is sufficiently funded. The department strives to completely cover the tuition for each graduate student's first two semesters. The program is organized that most students can finish their degree in those two semesters or close to it. Many students in the program at their research as undergraduates and/or can carry over... Read More
Review Date: 6/21/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The Construction and Engineering Management masters degree in the Civil Engineering Department did not provide me with useful skills that could be utilized in the civil engineering market. It was mainly theory based, many of the courses could only be used in less than 1/100,000 of the civil engineering jobs (for example, 654 strategic construction engineering systems), did not provide any preparation for the market, and did not have an effect over my career. Some courses that are supposed to give... Read More
Review Date: 2/10/2019
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
The program itself is relatively good but with difficulties to find a job in industry.
Review Date: 5/11/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No