20+ Best Civil Engineering Schools in Texas

1. University of Texas at Austin

Tuition fee: $1,100 per semester for international students
Duration: The program is typically 4 years long

The University of Texas at Austin, specifically the Cockrell School of Engineering, is renowned for its civil engineering program. It is ranked as one of the top civil engineering schools not only in Texas but also in the United States.

The Cockrell School of Engineering offers a comprehensive civil engineering program that is ranked 4th nationally. The school is home to more than 8,000 students enrolled in various undergraduate and graduate programs. The civil engineering department is recognized for its rigorous academic curriculum, distinguished faculty, and state-of-the-art research facilities.

2. Texas A&M University – College Station

Tuition fee: $11,550 for residents and $39,796 for non-residents.
Duration: The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is typically a 4-year program.

Texas A&M University (Texas A&M, A&M, or TAMU) is a public, land-grant, research university located in College Station, Texas. It was founded in 1876 and became the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System in 1948.

The Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is part of the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University. This department offers a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MS) degree.

The civil and environmental engineering degree program within the department has nine areas of specialty students can focus on. Graduate students have the opportunity to select from eight areas of specialty, except the general civil engineering specialty.

3. Rice University

Tuition fee: The annual program fee is approximately INR 4,662,996.
Duration: The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) at Rice University is a 48-month long full-time program.

Rice University, located in Houston, Texas, is renowned for its commitment to innovative education and cutting-edge research. The university’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is no exception, with a mission to educate the civil and environmental engineering leaders of tomorrow and to conduct research that improves people’s lives now and in the future.

The department offers a Master of Civil and Environmental Engineering (MCEE) program targeted at managers, practicing engineers, and consultants in technical fields who want to become more effective practitioners in civil and environmental engineering.

The department is also home to 14 core faculty members and a network of 15 other Professors in the Practice, Lecturers, and Adjunct Professors.

4. University of Houston

Tuition fee: The annual tuition fee for the Civil Engineering program is approximately $22,093.
Duration: The Master of Science in Civil Engineering program typically lasts 12 months.

The University of Houston, founded in 1927, is the largest public research university in Houston and one of the largest universities in Texas. It is located at 4226 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX, 77204.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Houston is part of the Cullen College of Engineering.

The department is re-envisioning infrastructure from structural, geotechnical, environmental, mechanics, and geosensing and hydrosystems perspectives to improve America’s Infrastructure Report Card. Their academic programs enable specialization in any of these domains and across disciplines.

The department is located in Houston, Texas, a city with one of the highest concentrations of civil and environmental engineering companies in the country. The Department has approximately 234 undergraduates and 182 graduate students pursuing BSCE, MS, MCE, and PhD degrees in civil and environmental engineering.

5. Texas Tech University

Tuition fee for Texas residents: $13,604.
Tuition fee for international students: $24,452
Duration: The bachelor’s degree typically takes 4 years to complete.

Texas Tech University (TTU) is a public research university located in Lubbock, Texas. It is the flagship institution of the five-institution Texas Tech University System.

The university is committed to teaching and the advancement of knowledge, providing the highest standards of excellence in higher education, fostering intellectual and personal development, and stimulating meaningful research and service to humankind.

The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering at Texas Tech University has earned international prominence in several areas.

In addition to the bachelor’s degree based on structural, environmental, geotechnical, transportation, construction, and water resources, students now have opportunities for coursework and research experience leading to master’s and doctoral degrees in civil engineering, a master’s degree in environmental engineering, and a graduate certificate in construction engineering and management.

6. University of Texas at Arlington

Tuition fee: Approximately $27,494 per year.
Duration: 4 years (or 130 credit hours).

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is a renowned institution with a strong focus on research and innovation. One of its prominent departments is the Department of Civil Engineering.

The Civil Engineering Department at UTA offers degrees in architectural engineering, construction management, and civil engineering. It is recognized for providing innovative solutions to the most challenging problems facing our nation’s infrastructure.

The department is ranked 33rd in the country and is one of the most productive and progressive academic units in the College of Engineering. With an enrollment of over 1600 students, it enjoys strong support from local industry and alumni.

7. University of Texas at El Paso

Tuition fee: The undergraduate tuition & fees for Texas residents is $9,744 and for out-of-state students, it’s $25,512.
Duration: The duration of the Civil Engineering undergraduate program is typically 4 years.

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a public research university located in El Paso, Texas. It is a member of the University of Texas System and is the second-largest university in the United States to have a majority Mexican American student population.

UTEP offers nearly 170 degree options, with popular programs in various fields including biological sciences, nursing, psychology, education, computer science, mechanical engineering, criminal justice, and finance.

The Civil Engineering Department at UTEP strives to graduate highly qualified engineers, maintain nationally recognized research, and provide quality professional and community service to the region and the world.

8. University of Texas at San Antonio

Tuition fee: Approximately $28,282 per year.
Duration: 4 years.

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a public research university located in San Antonio, Texas. It is the largest university in San Antonio and the eighth largest by enrollment in the state of Texas. UTSA is classified among “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity” and offers 159 degree options from its nine colleges.

The School of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Construction Management is part of UTSA’s Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design. The school offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees and professional certificates.

The School of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Construction Management faculty are committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service to the community and the engineering profession.

The school’s mission is to provide students with an education that integrates fundamental science and engineering skills with design principles to solve problems that exist across the engineering and construction fields.

9. Texas State University

Tuition fee: The tuition and fees for Texas residents are approximately $12,220.
Duration: The duration of the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program is typically 4 years.

Texas State University (TXST) is a public research university with its main campus in San Marcos, Texas, and another campus in Round Rock.

The Civil Engineering (CE) program at Texas State University is the first in Texas with a holistic emphasis on technology-enhanced infrastructure. This includes sensor systems, data transmission, storage and sharing, predictive modeling, maintenance protocols, and asset management.

The Civil Engineering program prepares students to lead in the design, monitoring, maintenance, and management of the essential infrastructure for communities around the globe. The program is seeking ABET accreditation at the earliest time appropriate.

10. University of Texas at Tyler

Tuition fee: $11,936 per year.
Duration: 2 years.

The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) is a renowned institution that offers more than 70 academic degrees through its four professional and one traditional college of arts and sciences. It is located at 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX, 75799.

The Department of Civil Engineering at UT Tyler is a part of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. The department is committed to providing student-centered undergraduate and graduate education and research.

The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering.

The curriculum is designed to develop knowledge and skills on the cutting edge of civil engineering, including structural, hydrology, transportation, construction, geotechnical, environmental, and surveying disciplines. The bachelor’s degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

11. University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley

Tuition fee: $19,940 per year
Duration: 4 years.

The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a public research university with multiple campuses throughout the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas.

The Civil Engineering Department at UTRGV is part of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. The department is committed to preparing students to plan, design, and implement the infrastructure to support community development.

The program emphasizes five areas of study: water resources/environmental, structures, geotechnical, transportation, and construction engineering. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) degree, accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

12. Texas A&M University – Kingsville

Tuition fee: The tuition fee for the undergraduate program is approximately $9,892 per year for in-state students. For the master’s program, the tuition fee is approximately $28,688 per year.
Duration: The duration of the undergraduate program is typically 4 years. The master’s program typically takes 12 months to complete.

Texas A&M University – Kingsville is a public research university located in Kingsville, Texas. It is the southernmost campus of the Texas A&M University System and is the oldest continuously operating public institution of higher learning in South Texas.

The university is known for its nationally recognized academic programs, pioneering research, and awarding more scholarships than any other college or university in the area.

The Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering with a broad focus in the areas of geotechnical, structural, transportation, and water resources engineering.

The Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering provides students with a deeper understanding of geotechnical, structural, transportation, and water resources engineering, as well as construction management. The program is designed to equip students with advanced problem-solving and research skills in the civil engineering field.

13. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Tuition fee: For in-state students, the tuition and fees are approximately $9,754. For out-of-state students, the tuition and fees are approximately $20,344.
Duration: The program typically takes about 4 years to complete.

Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, also known as the Island University, is a public research university located in Corpus Christi, Texas. It is part of the Texas A&M University System and is classified among “R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity”.

The Civil Engineering department at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi prepares its graduates with a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and basic science.

The curriculum is designed to equip students with the ability to apply probability and statistics to address uncertainty, analyze and solve problems in technical areas appropriate to civil engineering, conduct experiments, and design systems, components, or processes in civil engineering contexts.

Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in design, construction, supervision, and maintenance of large infrastructure projects, including road systems, buildings, airports, and systems for water treatment and hydroelectricity.

14. Texas A&M University-Central Texas

Tuition Fee: The estimated cost to attend Texas A&M is approximately $30,608 for in-state residents.
Duration: The duration for a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering is typically 4 years.

Texas A&M University – Central Texas is a public university located in Killeen, Texas. The university is a proud member of the Texas A&M University System and is recognized as the most affordable public university in Central Texas.

The Civil engineering department offers nine areas of specialization, ranging from structural engineering to transportation engineering to water resources engineering, plus a general civil engineering plan. They offer Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Civil Engineering.

15. Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Tuition fee: The tuition fee for an undergraduate student enrolled full-time (15 credit hours) for both the fall and spring semesters is approximately $9,548.
Duration: A Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is usually designed to be completed in 4 years.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio is the fastest-growing university in the Texas A&M System and the only A&M institution of higher learning in a metropolitan area.

The Civil Engineering department offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The civil and environmental engineering degree program within the department has nine areas of specialty students can focus on.

The general civil engineering, open only to undergraduate students, is for the student who wants a wide scope of civil engineering education when graduating without a specific focus in any one area.

16. Prairie View A&M University

Tuition fee: The tuition fee for in-state students is approximately $11,299. For out-of-state students, the tuition fee is approximately $26,874.
Duration: The duration of the Civil and Environmental Engineering program is typically 48 months.

Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is a public historically black land-grant university located in Prairie View, Texas. It was founded in 1876, and it is the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state.

The university offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 37 master’s degrees, and four doctoral degree programs through eight colleges and the School of Architecture.

The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering is one of five engineering departments in the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering at PVAMU. The department’s mission is to produce Civil Engineers who will become innovative practitioners, leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs.

The curriculum includes hands-on laboratory experiences and design-oriented course projects, training students in a broad range of civil engineering topics. The department also offers a bachelor’s degree program in general civil engineering.

17. West Texas A&M University

Tuition fee: $11,337 per year
Duration: 4 years

West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) is a renowned institution that offers a comprehensive and dynamic Civil Engineering program.

The Civil Engineering department at WTAMU is the oldest and broadest engineering discipline, concerned with the development of the built environment.

Here are some of the areas that the department focuses on:

Structural Engineering: Design of buildings, bridges, and dams.
Water Resource and Environmental Engineering: Planning for water treatment facilities, water resources, waste disposal, and environmental remediation.
Transportation Engineering: Design of roads, highways, airports, light-rail systems, waterways and canals, and railroad systems.
Geotechnical Engineering: Development of foundations for buildings, study of the mechanics of soil, foundation design, and earthquake mitigation.

The Civil Engineering curriculum is designed to improve your critical thinking, communication skills, mathematical aptitude, and your teamwork ability. The undergraduate civil engineering program at WT is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

18. Lamar University

Tuition fee: The tuition fee for the Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering is approximately $10,586 per year for in-state students and $22,826 per year for out-of-state students.
Duration: The Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering is typically completed in 4 years.

Lamar University, located in Texas, USA, has a well-regarded Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The department is known for designing, building, supervising, operating, and maintaining construction projects and systems in both the public and private sectors.

The department offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering accredited by ABET. They also provide master’s degrees in civil and environmental engineering with the option of pursuing a thesis or completing coursework only.

19. Sam Houston State University

Tuition fee: The tuition fee for 12 credit hours is $4,614.20 per semester.
Duration: 4 years.

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is a renowned institution that offers a wide range of programs through its College of Science and Engineering Technology (COSET).

The Civil Engineering department at SHSU is part of a unique program called the Civil Engineering 2+2 program. In this program, students complete 77 credit hours in residence at Sam Houston State University, focusing on the Core Curriculum and developing a firm foundation in math and the hard sciences.

This program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in physics, which is integral to civil engineering before they specialize in their chosen field.

20. Tarleton State University

Tuition fee: $22,407 per year
Duration: 4 years

Tarleton State University is a leading higher education institute in the United States, located at 1333 W Washington St, Stephenville, TX. It offers a variety of programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

The Civil Engineering Department at Tarleton State University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The mission of the program is to prepare students to work competently as engineers in Civil Engineering related industries and consulting firms, for engineering licensure, and graduate studies.

The program includes the following broad fields of specialization:

Structural engineering
Transportation engineering
Construction engineering
Hydrology and water resources engineering
Geotechnical engineering
Environmental engineering
Materials, and mechanics

21. Angelo State University

Tuition fee: $21,910 per year
Duration: 4 years

Angelo State University is a public university located in San Angelo, Texas. It was founded in 1928 as San Angelo College and gained university status in 1967.

The Civil Engineering Department at Angelo State University offers an undergraduate degree that prepares students to be practice-ready engineers upon graduation. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The department is committed to graduating practice-ready engineers who have been given every opportunity to practice their technical training and develop the broader skills needed to apply that training in the workplace.

FAQs on the Best Civil Engineering Schools in Texas

Are the rankings based solely on academic reputation?

No, the rankings are based on a combination of factors including academic reputation, faculty expertise, research opportunities, industry partnerships.

How can prospective students determine which civil engineering school is the best fit for them?

Prospective students should consider factors such as academic offerings, research opportunities, location, campus culture, internship and career placement opportunities, and overall fit with their academic and career goals.

Are there scholarships or financial aid available for civil engineering students at these schools?

Many civil engineering schools offer scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid to help students offset the cost of tuition and expenses.

How can I learn more about a specific civil engineering school in Texas?

Prospective students can learn more about specific civil engineering schools in Texas by visiting their websites, attending campus tours or information sessions, reaching out to admissions offices or departments, and connecting with current students or alumni.

Conclusion

Texas is a state that offers a wealth of opportunities for aspiring civil engineers. The universities highlighted in this article not only provide rigorous academic training but also offer numerous research opportunities, practical experiences, and connections to the industry.

This ensures that graduates are well-prepared to meet the challenges and demands of the civil engineering profession. We’ve come to the end of this article.

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