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Civil/structural engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a civil/structural engineer. Civil/structural engineers usually study civil engineering, engineering, or business. 72% of civil/structural engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,800 real civil/structural engineer resumes to see exactly what civil/structural engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for civil/structural engineers are the University of Houston and the University of Houston.
There are also many online civil/structural engineer courses to help get the education required to be a civil/structural engineer.
There are certain civil/structural engineer certifications that you should consider. These civil/structural engineer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and Structural Engineer (SE).
What education do you need to become a civil/structural engineer?
What degree do you need to be a civil/structural engineer?
- Bachelor's, 72%
- Master's, 20%
- Associate, 4%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a civil/structural engineer?
- Civil Engineering, 81%
- Engineering, 4%
- Business, 2%
- Other Majors, 11%
Most common colleges for civil/structural engineers
| Civil/structural engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Houston | 11.73% |
| Texas A&M University | 10.06% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 7.82% |
| Louisiana State University and A&M College | 6.70% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 5.59% |
Best majors for civil/structural engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Civil Engineering | 80.7% |
| 2 | Engineering | 4.5% |
| 3 | Business | 2.0% |
| 4 | Mechanical Engineering | 1.9% |
| 5 | Architectural Engineering | 1.6% |
Best colleges for civil/structural engineers
The best colleges for civil/structural engineers are Carnegie Mellon University, Johns Hopkins University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
A civil/structural engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for civil/structural engineers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become civil/structural engineers.
1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
3. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,620
Enrollment
27,730
7. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
8. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
9. Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$9,080
Enrollment
30,795
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
20 best online courses for civil/structural engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Engineering of Structures: Tension
This course deals with tension. Tension is one of the easiest forces to understand. It is a pulling force. When we tend to pull an object, it is in tension. Different elements that resist tension in buildings are ropes, cables, and funicular forms. You will study different structures and identify what role tension plays in their designs. The first module explores tension and its importance in building structures. The second module explores funicular forms, angles, and bridges. You will...
2. The Engineering of Structures Around Us
In this Specialization, you will learn some engineering principles that can be applied to structural systems everywhere: in nature, in furniture, in mechanical and aerospace systems, and in any solid object that resists a load.\n\nTogether we’ll explore how structures work, why they were designed the way they were designed, how they support loads, and where forces flow through them.\n\nMore specifically you will:\n\nLearn about funicular forms and how ropes and cables resist tension. Discuss...
3. CSi SAP2000: Structural Analysis Program for Engineers
Analyze Structural Elements Using SAP2000 For Engineers & Architects...
4. Fundamentals of Structural Analysis
Get to grips with civil engineering structural analysis once and for all...
5. STAAD Pro. - Structural Design of Steel Building (PEB)
Structural Analysis and Structural Design of Pre Engineered Building in Staad Pro with Real World Project...
6. Diploma in Basics of Civil Engineering for Construction
Practical Course to Gain Quick Knowledge in Civil Engineering & Get Entry Level Jobs in Construction as Freshers...
7. Piping Design Engineering & Piping Isometrics Masterclass
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8. Structural Engineering Abaqus Tutorials
The most comprehensive course with 13.5 hours of real life structural examples under various loading conditions...
9. ETABS: For Structural Design of Buildings
Structural Analysis and Structural Design of Residential Building in ETABS with Real World Project...
10. Robot Structural Analysis Professional course
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis : From Beginning to Pro...
11. Construction Methodology Basics in Civil Engineering
New Home Construction & Building construction along with Home Repair ,Estimation & Plumbing With Video Step By Step...
12. PG Diploma in Piping Design Engineering
Learn Piping Design Engineering...
13. Robot structural Analysis (RC building)
Full building Design with seismic Analysis using Robot Structural Analysis...
14. Autodesk Revit & Robot Structural Analysis + Sheets + BOQ
Autodesk Revit & Robot building structural design +draw structural sheets + BOQ + advanced lectures in Revit & Robot...
15. Learning AutoCAD Civil 3D 2016
A Practical Course That Teaches How To Get The Most From Auto CAD Civil 3D...
16. STAAD Pro Professional Course (Fresher to Experienced)
The most comprehensive course with 14.5 Hours of Course Content with Practical Case studies of RCC and Steel Structure...
17. AutoCAD Civil 3D Training: The Ultimate Course
Get the Auto CAD Civil 3D Premium Course and Free download Pdf Book (reference training manual)...
18. Learning Autodesk Revit Structure 2016
Building Information Modelling Design and Analysis for Structural Engineering...
19. Designing Piping Systems: Pipe Fittings Flanges Valves
Understanding piping systems , their components , codes & specification for successful design , construction & operation...
20. Mechanics / Statics - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Solid Mechanics / Engineering Statics...
Top 10 most affordable universities for civil/structural engineers
The most affordable schools for civil/structural engineers are University of Florida, florida state university, and florida atlantic university.
If the best universities for civil/structural engineers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for civil/structural engineers.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
3. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
4. California State University - Sacramento
Sacramento, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,310
Cost of attendance
19,807
5. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
7. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
8. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
10. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for civil/structural engineers
The hardest universities for civil/structural engineers to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, Johns Hopkins University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Some great schools for civil/structural engineers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for civil/structural engineers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,545
4. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
8. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
9. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
10. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for civil/structural engineers
The easiest schools for civil/structural engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, washington state university, and alabama a & m university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a civil/structural engineer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for civil/structural engineers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Washington State University
Pullman, WA • Private
Admissions rate
77%
SAT average
1,123
3. Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
957
4. Portland State University
Portland, OR • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,111
5. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
6. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
7. North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,170
8. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
9. Lamar University
Beaumont, TX • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,043
10. The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX • Private
Admissions rate
80%
SAT average
1,157
Average civil/structural engineer salary by education level
| Civil/structural engineer education level | Civil/structural engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $81,690 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $73,315 |
| Doctorate Degree | $81,078 |
Civil/structural engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025