Civil Engineering · Illinois

Civil Engineering colleges in Illinois

CampusPin lists 98 U.S. colleges in Illinois that offer Civil Engineering programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Civil Engineering applies physics, mechanics, and design to the built environment, roads, bridges, water systems, and buildings, suiting students who want to plan and build public infrastructure.

Schools in Illinois that offer Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering programs in Illinois: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 98 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

98

Public / private

30 / 20

Universities / 2-year

22 / 28

Cities represented

35

In-state tuition range

$3,180–$51,763

Median in-state tuition

$5,300

Lowest published in-state tuition

Elgin Community College

$3,180

Most selective

Methodist College

31% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

DeVry University-Illinois

29,175 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a Civil Engineering program

  • Engineering mechanics: statics, dynamics, and mechanics of materials
  • Structural analysis and design (steel, reinforced concrete, timber)
  • Geotechnical engineering and soil mechanics
  • Transportation engineering and highway design
  • Water resources, hydraulics, and hydrology
  • Environmental engineering and water/wastewater treatment
  • Surveying, CAD, and civil modeling software (e.g., AutoCAD Civil 3D)
  • Construction management, cost estimation, and the senior capstone design project

Where a Civil Engineering degree can lead

  • Civil engineers
  • Structural Engineer
  • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Transportation Engineer
  • Water Resources Engineer
  • Construction Project Manager

Typical pay: BLS, 2024 civil engineers median $99,590

A Civil Engineering major covers structural analysis, geotechnical engineering, transportation systems, water resources and hydraulics, environmental engineering, surveying, and construction management, built on a core of calculus, differential equations, physics, and engineering mechanics (statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials). Most programs are ABET-accredited four-year BS degrees that include extensive labs, CAD and modeling software, and a senior capstone design project.

Because civil engineering work often affects public safety, the field is tied to professional licensure. Graduates typically take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam near graduation, work several years under a licensed engineer, and then sit for the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam to become a Professional Engineer. Many students choose a sub-discipline, structural, geotechnical, transportation, water resources, or environmental, through electives or a graduate degree.

Graduates plan, design, and oversee construction of infrastructure for engineering firms, construction companies, and federal, state, and local agencies. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% employment growth for civil engineers from 2024 to 2034.

Civil Engineering in other states

Other majors in Illinois

Find more Civil Engineering schools

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 98+ Civil Engineering programs in Illinois by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

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