Is a master's in civil engineering worth It?
Are you an engineering professional looking to advance your career? A master's in civil engineering may be the best way to grow your skill set and access new job opportunities.
Read on to learn about civil engineering graduate program benefits, tuition costs, and more.
Master's degree in civil engineering program overview
A master's degree in civil engineering program can enhance your knowledge of civil engineering and prepare you for specialized roles, leadership positions, or doctoral studies.
Study topics may include:
- Advanced bridge engineering
- Advanced foundation design
- Advanced soil mechanics
- Design of wood structures
- Earthquake engineering
- Steel structures
- Structural mechanics
- Sustainable coastal engineering
Some civil engineering graduate programs require students to choose an area of focus. Examples include:
- Construction management
- Geotechnical engineering
- Hydrology and hydrodynamics
- Ocean and coastal engineering
- Structural engineering
- Sustainable infrastructure
- Transportation engineering
Most civil engineering master's programs require applicants to possess a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. If your undergraduate studies are unrelated to engineering, you may need to complete core coursework before starting the master's program.
Benefits of a master's degree in civil engineering
A master's degree in civil engineering may lead to increased job security and higher earning potential.
According to a 2023 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professionals with a master's degree earned a median salary that was $244 higher than those with only a bachelor's degree. Additionally, master's degree holders experienced a lower unemployment rate (2%) than workers with bachelor's degrees (2.2%).
Earning your master's in civil engineering can also help you:
- Upgrade your skillset with the latest industry developments
- Gain expertise in a specific area of civil engineering
- Get the necessary training for leadership positions
- Grow your career network through fellow students and program faculty
Are graduates of a master's degree in civil engineering in demand?
Graduates with master's degrees in civil engineering are in demand, as the maintenance and construction of buildings and infrastructure are vital to U.S. society.
The BLS projects 6% growth for civil engineers from 2023 to 2033, faster than the 4% average for all occupations. The BLS also projects about 22,900 job openings for these professionals annually.
Job growth is influenced by the U.S. government's continued investment in infrastructure and renewable energy projects. Demand for civil engineers is also affected by the need to replace professionals who leave the field due to transfers, retirement, and other reasons.
Which civil engineering field has the highest salary?
The median salary for civil engineers was $95,890 in 2023, according to the BLS. Below you'll find salary information from the BLS for related occupations.
Civil engineering field | Median annual salary (2023) |
|---|---|
Architectural and engineering manager | |
Construction manager | |
Environmental engineer |
How much does a master's degree in civil engineering cost?
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that full-time engineering master's students (nine credit hours or more per semester) paid an average of $24,631 in 2020. Students who took fewer than nine credit hours per semester paid an average of $8,964.
Total tuition costs for online master's degree in civil engineering programs may range from $16,354 to $52,700. This does not include institutional fees or study-related expenses, such as books and housing.
Actual tuition costs depend on how many credit hours you take, whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student, and other factors.
You may be able to receive financial aid to help pay for your master's in civil engineering. According to NCES, nearly 74% of graduate students received some type of financial aid in the 2019-2020 academic year.
Types of financial aid include:
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Employer tuition benefits
- Work-study programs
- Veteran benefits
- Federal or private student loans