Civil engineering offers many opportunities across technology, business, education, and engineering industries. Enrolling in the best online civil engineering bachelor’s degrees doesn’t just equip you with the design and engineering skills for developing sophisticated civil infrastructure and environmental systems, but it equips you with adequate business knowledge for different levels of managerial roles in this field.
In this article, you’ll discover the depths of the civil engineering discipline, including what a civil engineer does, the core concentrations and curricula of most online civil engineering degrees, the civil engineering bachelor’s degree jobs available for this discipline, the annual salary for civil professionals, and the major admissions requirements for the best online civil engineering bachelor’s degrees.
Civil engineers are most commonly associated with building bridges and designing buildings. But, so much more of our world is made possible because of civil engineering. The first step to becoming a civil engineer is to earn your degree. Learn how to earn your civil engineering degree online through our guide.
What Is a Civil Engineer?
Civil engineers design roads, space stations, energy supply, flood defenses, and water structures. They are the ones to thank for the infrastructure we all rely on every day. Civil engineers not only design and supervise the construction of infrastructure, but they are also responsible for the safety, efficiency, and functionality of the infrastructure.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for civil engineers will increase by six percent by 2028. The reported yearly median pay for civil engineers in 2019 was $87,060, or $41.86 per hour. This is significantly higher than the average American yearly wage of $56,516.
If earning such an income while designing the infrastructure trusted by your fellow citizens interests you, read on. You’ll learn where the best online civil engineering programs and courses can be found.
Where Can I Get a Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Online?
Some of the schools where you can get a master’s degree online in civil engineering include University of Maine and San Diego State University. You can get a civil engineering bachelor’s degree online from an ABET-accredited, four-year institution in the United States.
These programs are usually reserved for associate degree graduates. Due to the emphasis on hands-on applications for beginners, you won’t find many online civil engineering bachelor programs. You can apply to ACCE-accredited programs in construction management, structural engineering, and surveying engineering for your civil engineering education.
What Schools Offer the Best Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degrees?
- Liberty University
- Old Dominion University
- San Diego State University
- University of South Dakota
- University of Maine
What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree?
The admission requirements for an online civil engineering bachelor’s degree start with the completion of an online application form. This form requires you to input your contact details, your program of study, and supplemental documents.
Whether you’re applying directly through the school’s website or a college application service like Common Application, you’ll be asked to pay an application fee. This application fee is waived for certain categories of applicants such as early applicants and military affiliates.
Other online Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering admissions requirements include requesting high school or associate degree credentials from an accredited US institution or equivalent, earning a 2.0 to 3.0 GPA, earning credits in advanced math, English, and science courses, and submitting at least an ACT score (20 or higher) or SAT score (1000 or higher).
Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements
- Complete an online application form directly or through the Common Application
- Pay a non-refundable application fee
- Request your official transcripts and standardized test scores
- Ensure your transcript shows a 2.0 to 3.0 GPA
- Ensure your transcript shows credits in advanced math and science courses
- You may be asked to take an ACCUPLACER placement test
How to Get a Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Online
You get a civil engineering bachelor’s degree online by fulfilling your program-specific education requirements. Most of these requirements involve completing curriculum courses towards your degree for immediate career launch or as part of licensure requirements.
Non-technical requirements involve participating in assignments and exercises, attending live virtual classes, as well as registering and paying for tuition and fees before course commencement.
Civil Engineering Degree Requirements
- Core course requirements. Civil engineering programs are built around core courses that hold the bulk of the credit requirements, while the foundational courses and electives are general education, natural science, and physical science courses. Complete the core courses in your program to qualify for a degree in this discipline.
- Grade requirements. Grade graduation requirements may be needed for enrolled civil engineering students. Maintain at least a C grade or 2.0 GPA. Failure to do so may restrict your progression to upper-level courses or semesters
- Concentration options. Popular concentration areas in civil engineering include structural engineering, construction management, surveying, project management, and facility management. You may be required to pick a concentration as your career focus.
- Credit completion. Most civil engineering programs require 120 to 130 credit units for completion. If you’re a transfer student you may be allowed to complete only 30 to 70 credit units towards your degree completion and are usually spread out across semesters or quarters.
- Course intensives. Most engineering courses are not entirely online unless it’s an engineering management discipline. You’ll need to visit campus to complete two or three lab or research-intensive courses from your curriculum.
- Capstone project. This independent task is assigned to a student in their final year as proof of knowledge competency. Some schools use final exams and research writing in place of capstone projects. Regardless of which approach your school takes, you need to meet the credit hour and grade requirements.
Best Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview
| School | Program | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana State University | Bachelor of Science in Construction Management | Higher Learning Commission |
| Liberty University | Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Louisiana State University | Online Bachelor of Science in Construction Management | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| National American University | Construction Management Online Bachelor’s Degree | Higher Learning Commission |
| National University | Bachelor of Science in Construction Management | WASC Senior College and University Commission |
| Old Dominion University | Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology Online | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) | Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering | WASC Senior College on University Commission |
| University of Maine | Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering Technology | New England Commission of Higher Education |
| University of North Dakota | Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering | Higher Learning Commission |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Bachelor of Science Construction Management | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
Best Schools for Civil Engineering: Top Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Every online civil engineering bachelor’s degree program has its own set of unique requirements from prospective students. We’ve curated a list of schools offering civil engineering bachelor’s degrees, as well as related degrees to help you with your school search. You’ll also find details about each program’s admission requirements and tuition rates.
What Is an Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree?
An online civil engineering bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree that prepares students for entry and mid-level careers in development, engineering, and construction. May employers in these fields look for applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.
An online Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering takes about two to four years to complete. During this period, online students are subjected to live, virtual classes and pre-recorded video tutorials to aid them in completing 120 to 180 credit hours of school work.
Online vs In-Person Civil Engineering Degrees
Online civil engineering degrees and in-person civil engineering degrees differ in their learning modality but the degree awards are the same. Attending either program depends on your availability and preferences. In an in-person civil engineering bachelor’s program, you learn in a shared space but that’s not the case in an online program.
Top 5 Benefits of an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering
- Autonomy over your program length. Most civil engineering degree programs allow online students to control their learning pace. In a traditional college, you’ll most likely graduate in four years but if you attend an online program you can pace your courses and credits in a way that allows you to finish in as little as two years or complete a dual degree option within four to five years.
- Earn while learning. You don’t have to quit your job or lose your source of income just because you’re attending college. Online degree programs have flexible schedules for even the busiest professionals. With the high cost of college education, attending an online college is a good way to avoid taking on unnecessary student loans.
- Studying remotely. If you like independent studies, then attending an online civil engineering bachelor’s degree is your best option. You can design your study space and timetable to suit your personal schedule. Live classes will be done through webinars and teleclasses, maintaining your distance whilst participating in a group.
- Student support. To compensate for the absence of face-to-face instructions, most online colleges provide students with support services. Some even offer an active career center. Enrolled students can communicate with faculty instructors and academic advisors through online messaging and video conferencing.
- Cut down on cost. Fees like room and board, transportation, or even cafeteria food are unnecessary if you enroll in an online civil engineering program. Even when you have to make campus visits, they’ll be infrequent so you don’t have to worry about incurring extra costs. Another way to cut costs is to attend schools with fewer online degree costs.
Top 5 Benefits of an In-Person Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering
- Better college experience. College is more than just receiving a classroom education, but it also broadens your knowledge through experience. Attending an on-campus program allows you to experience a new culture, diverse people, job prospects, business opportunities, and urbanization, at no extra cost.
- Structured curriculum. The disadvantage of online programs in engineering is that you may end up compiling too many credits in a semester than you can handle or stretching your credits past the standard four-year period. However, you don’t have to worry about that in an on-campus program as there’ll be a structured program curriculum.
- Collaborative tasks. You can easily collaborate with your classmates on assignments or exercises.. Alternative perspectives and face-to-face interactions can help you better understand the course material. You’ll find study groups and tutors that fit into your college schedule. If you discover you don’t like one, switching to a new study group is much easier than in an online program.
- In-person faculty support. On-campus programs allow you to build mutual relationships with your instructors. You can easily call on favors when you need support soliciting research funding or choosing the right career path. Some students find it easier to learn when an instructor is physically present to provide hands-on instructions.
- Access to facilities. On-campus benefits include access to a library, study and wellness center, laboratory, and cafeteria. If you can’t afford these facilities yourself, and you have the choice of choosing between program formats, you should choose an in-person program.
What Types of Online Bachelor’s Degree Can You Get in Civil Engineering?
The types of bachelor’s degrees you can get in an online civil engineering degree program are a Bachelor or Science, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Business Administration in Civil Engineering, which are the same as in-person civil engineering degree programs.
Is It Better to Get a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering?
It is better to get a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering than a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree. Bachelor of Science degrees are best for natural science disciplines such as biology, chemistry, and physics as it focuses more on theories.
Even though you’ll encounter natural science courses in your civil engineering discipline, you need to rely more on applied science and mathematics to excel in this field since it centers around practical applications.
How Much Does a Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Cost?
A civil engineering bachelor’s degree program costs $9,349 on average if you’re enrolled in a four-year public institution, based on the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) survey of average tuition rates for the 2019 to 2020 academic year. If you’re enrolled in a four-year private for-profit institution, you’ll pay an average of $14,957 and $35,807 if you attend a four-year non-profit institution.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Online?
It takes an average of four years to obtain a civil engineering bachelor’s degree online. Most mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree programs range between two and five years. Within that time, students are expected to complete 120 to 180 credits hours within eight to 10 semesters. The courses are divided into general, core, electives, and a capstone project.
Each course has an average of three units. In a quarter or semester, you’ll most likely need to complete three to fifteen credits depending on your time commitment and the program schedule. If you’re a busy student, you may be allowed to extend your course completion beyond the allotted program period.
Are Online Civil Engineering Degrees Respected?
Yes, online civil engineering degrees are respected by employers and academic institutions. You won’t find it difficult to transfer your credits to an advanced program or secure a job with your degree as long as the online school and its program are both accredited by recognized bodies and you’ve completed the degree requirements for your specific civil engineering program.
Most schools are adopting the online format as part of their course delivery. According to LinkedIn’s 2022 Workplace Learning Report, employers are aware of the benefits of online education, especially in boosting productivity and fostering employee retention and satisfaction.
Is Civil Engineering Hard to Learn Online?
No, civil engineering is not hard to learn online. As long as you’re provided with adequate student support and course instructions, you won’t find it difficult. You may find it challenging to understand some of the technical courses if you don’t have a strong background in science and math. Ensure you complete prerequisite courses before you tackle the main curriculum.
Civil Engineering Bootcamp vs Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree: Which Is Better?
An online civil engineering bachelor’s degree is better than a civil engineering bootcamp. For one, the bootcamps that exist for civil engineering are usually short-term summer programs offered by universities and colleges. However, this doesn’t mean there are no benefits to attending a coding bootcamp.
Top 5 Benefits of an Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree
- It offers access to multidisciplinary studies. Regardless of the program major you decide on, you’ll be required to complete credits in multidisciplinary studies. A typical civil engineering program combines studies in English, math, natural science, communication, and core civil engineering to build broader academic knowledge.
- Broader job and career options. Due to the academic structure in most online colleges offering this discipline, you have a broader job and career outlook. Within the field of civil engineering, you can specialize in design and planning services, construction services, and even managerial services, all of which have good growth prospects.
- Opportunity to advance your education. You can apply credits obtained in a civil engineering bachelor’s degree program to a master’s degree program in a similar discipline, and subsequently, to a doctoral degree program in a related major. However, you don’t get these benefits in a coding bootcamp.
- Professional leverage. A degree in civil engineering is more regarded than a certificate in civil engineering. A degree implies broader academic knowledge, more industry knowledge from research, and better hands-on applications from lab exercises. These are some of the factors that influence the hiring decisions of reputable engineering firms.
- Access to funding opportunities. College students, including domestic and international students, can receive financial aid through scholarships and government grants. These financial awards can cover the entire tuition cost of your program or research studies, thereby eliminating the financial burden associated with funding education.
Top 5 Benefits of a Civil Engineering Bootcamp
- Low tuition rates. You might not have access to tuition assistance programs like scholarships and federal grants but there are lower tuition rates. Some bootcamps even offer students deferred tuition and Income Share Agreements to enable them to focus more on their education than the financial burden associated with getting an education.
- Shorter program length. A bootcamp usually spans between one week and twelve months. During this period, you’ll be introduced to innovative technologies and you’ll be allowed to work on classroom projects that’ll help you build a professional portfolio of projects to showcase to employers.
- Job-ready skills. The course materials you’ll learn and the skills you’ll build in a bootcamp are skills needed by hiring managers and employers in today’s job market, so you can easily land jobs in your field.
- Minimal admission requirements. You don’t need a high GPA or advanced college credits to enroll in a bootcamp. Most interviews in these bootcamps focus on the student’s personal background and interest in the career path rather than on their technical proficiency, so your chances of getting accepted are high.
- Job-focused services. Some of these bootcamps are job-focused. Their goal is to help the student launch a viable career in the engineering sector. They provide access to services like job matching services, interview preparation, portfolio review, resume building, and social media profile optimization.
Why You Should Get a Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Online
You should get a civil engineering bachelor’s degree online if you’re interested in developing your design and problem-solving skills at a flexible pace. Online degree programs offer enrolled students more learning autonomy, more student support services, cost reduction opportunities, and a good work-life balance.
Civil engineers are essential in every industry. They are responsible for the infrastructural developments and urbanization we all enjoy. A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering gives you the foundational skills you need to contribute your quota to human advancement and security.
What Courses Do You Take in an Online Bachelor’s Degree Program in Civil Engineering?
The best online Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering classes provide comprehensive technical skills. Below are some of the core civil engineering courses you should expect to study in your online civil engineering bachelor’s degree program.
Fluid Mechanics
Fluid mechanics is the study of fluid behavior under different atmospheric conditions. This course is an essential part of every civil engineering curriculum because it helps students understand how to manage civil infrastructures constructed in water. Students are taught fluid dynamics and fluid statics in depth.
Structural Analysis
Structural analysis studies the effects of loads on different physical structures, objects, and components. The physical objects considered in a structural analysis include bridges, aircraft, ships, and buildings. The performance of structural analysis allows the civil engineer to determine the right materials for specific structures when exposed to external and unprecedented forces.
Surveying
Surveying is the process of assessing a physical area and taking notes of the details that are visible in that area. Civil surveying considers factors such as the horizontal and vertical distance points of the land and other external and internal location characteristics. Students are taught the implications of these factors in determining project cost and technical building requirements.
Hydrology
This is the branch of civil engineering concerned with understanding and optimizing water resources in construction. Civil engineering students are taught how to analyze water quality, quantity, distribution, and flow when planning and designing a construction project. They learn how to indicate disasters such as storms, floods, and climate change from this study.
Solid Mechanics
Much like fluid mechanics, this course centers on the behavior of solid materials under external change forces. This course allows students to understand how different physical loads affect a soil structure and integrity. This knowledge can be applied to the development of more resident physical objects that can withstand the behaviors of solid materials at different length scales.
Continuing Education Paths for Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Graduates
The best continuing education path for an online civil engineering bachelor’s degree grad is to get a master’s degree or obtain an industry certification from a professional civil engineering organization, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers. A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering is often a starting point. The knowledge pathway you take should be weighed against your career goals and academic goals.
If you’re interested in academia, consider completing a graduate degree in a civil engineering specialization. However, if you’re interested in becoming a professional engineer, you should consider completing a related online civil engineering degree.
Related Online Civil Engineering Degrees
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What to Look For in the Best Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Programs
The best civil engineering programs will help students optimize their academic and career successes. Below are some of the factors you should consider when reviewing your online options for your undergraduate in civil engineering.
Career Services and Employer Partnerships
As part of their efforts to boost graduation employment and career growth, most schools offer career coaches, career centers, and access to employer databases to help students secure good jobs after graduation. If your program doesn’t offer these services, then you should confirm if career path advising, portfolio review, and interview preparations are provided.
Concentration Options and Curricula Content
There are several career paths that civil engineering students can access. You should ensure that your program covers some of these specializations through course concentrations or curriculum content. Ensure that possible career tracks are listed to give you an overview of what your career will look like after graduation so you can make an informed decision.
Course Recognition and Accreditation
There should be an ABET or ACCE accreditation on the program page. Consider looking for online engineering programs that prepare students for professional licensure in acclaimed organizations in your fields. There should be badges to show the program’s national or regional ranking. This allows you to compare the education you’ll receive from this program with those in other schools.
School Reputation
Determine what your prospective school is known for, how many alumni are employed, tuition rates, faculty accolades and awards, international partnerships for study and research, research capacity, and transfer and graduation rates to determine if the school is right for you.
Student Services
Ensure the school’s online program has optimal feedback systems to keep in touch with academic advisors or faculty instructors. Ensure there are scholarship opportunities and financial aid available for applicants. Some schools provide dedicated tutors and student coaches to aid the online student, this could boost your learning experience.
What Is the Most Affordable Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree?
The most affordable online civil engineering bachelor’s degree is offered by Louisiana State University. All classes of students are required to pay a fixed rate of $374 per credit unit. For a 122 credit hour program, you’ll pay a total of $45,628, excluding additional fees.
Can I Get a Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Online for Free?
No, you can’t get a civil engineering bachelor’s degree online for free but you can substantially cut down your cost of tuition by applying for a scholarship award. In most schools, this program is included in their application process. Students with financial needs are encouraged to submit a FAFSA application form early in the academic session for a federal grant.
While you can’t get a free online Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering, there are educational alternatives available. If you’re unwilling to financially commit to your degree, you can utilize free resources such as standalone MOOCs, to start building fundamental knowledge of civil engineering.
Salary and Job Outlook for Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Graduates
The major areas in civil engineering include construction management, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, water resources and environmental engineering, and transport engineering. Each branch has an array of job and career opportunities. We’ve compiled civil engineering job types and descriptions, their salary ranges, and their job outlook.
How Hard Is It to Get a Job With a Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree?
It is not very hard to get a job with a civil engineering bachelor’s degree, as long as you possess the technical skills and hands-on experience needed to solve real-world issues in this field. If you’re a recent graduate of a civil engineering bachelor’s program, try to land internships with reputable engineering firms in the private sector so you can gain substantial field experience and industry prestige.
Remote learners who attend the best online civil engineering programs in the United States find it easier to land internships and entry-level job opportunities with civil engineering degrees. This is because these schools advertise internship opportunities and provide students access to career centers or dedicated career coaches to help them navigate the job market.
What’s the Average Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Salary?
The average online civil engineering bachelor’s degree salary is $73,000 a year, according to the salary survey by PayScale. This computed data also shows that professionals in this field have a high job satisfaction rate of four on a five-star rating scale. It also shows that those who earn this salary range are civil professionals in their early careers.
What Jobs Can You Get With an Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree?
The jobs you can get with an online civil engineering bachelor’s degree include career paths with high-paying jobs and growth potential. Depending on your degree specialization, level of education, professional experience, and location, you can land jobs with reputable companies hiring civil engineering professionals in the United States.
If you decide to become a civil engineer, you can specialize in areas such as water resources engineering, materials engineering, structural engineering, cost estimation, estate management, construction management, geotechnical engineering, design engineering, and environmental engineering.
Civil Engineering Degree Jobs
- Structural engineer
- Water resource engineer
- Building engineer
- Environmental engineer
- Construction manager
- Geotechnical engineer
Potential Careers With an Online Civil Engineering Degree
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How Much Money Can You Make With an Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree?
You can make between $54,000 and $101,000 a year with an online civil engineering bachelor’s degree, according to PayScale. Entry-level civil engineers with less than one year of experience earn an average of $59,860. Those with less than five years of experience earn an average of $64,940, and those with ten years of experience earn an average of $90,455.
Highest-Paying Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview
| Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Project Manager | $86,097 |
| Estate Manager | $83,304 |
| Construction Manager | $79,554 |
| Materials Engineer | $79,178 |
| Structural Engineer | $71,402 |
Best Jobs for Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Grads
The best jobs for online bachelor’s degree holders in civil engineering offer high wages and strong benefits. As a beginner in the civil engineering field, specializing in a branch of the field makes it easier for you to build expert knowledge and climb the corporate ladder. Below are the highest-paying civil engineering career paths you could venture into after graduation.
Best Jobs According to Your Major
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Is an Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?
Yes, an online civil engineering bachelor’s degree is worth it if you want a career that allows you to express your creativity and critical thinking skills. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, you can launch careers in planning and design, construction, and maintenance services. While the starting salary for civil engineering jobs is not as impressive, they have good industry growth prospects.
According to the 2021 report by Global View Research, the civil engineering market is expected to grow from $7.74 trillion in 2020 to $12.05 trillion in 2028, at a 5.7 percent compound annual growth rate. The driving forces of this market growth are the massive efforts in urbanization and industrialization in emerging economies and the global emphasis on quality civil infrastructure.
Bonus: Best Schools for Civil Engineerings Degrees Online
You can save a significant amount of money by earning your civil engineering degree online when compared to taking the traditional on-campus route. You also gain access to a more flexible schedule and a customizable degree plan.
Below is a list of the best civil engineering online degree programs, ranging from free recreational courses to doctoral degrees. If you are interested in becoming a professional engineer, but not sure about civil, then look through our list of the best online engineer degrees for 2020.
Online Civil Engineering Recreational Courses
Princeton University via edX
- Tuition: Free
- Duration: 5 weeks
The Princeton University free civil engineering course is titled “The Art of Structural Engineering: Bridges” and is five weeks long. In this course, you will learn about bridge design and structural engineering. You will find efficiencies in structural design using equations and by analyzing suspension, beams, and prestress tests. Students also learn about bridges as an art form and how cultural influences impact them.
This course does not offer any certification or credit hours upon completion.
Indian Institute of Technology via Swayam
- Tuition: Free
- Duration: 12 weeks
The Indian Institute of Technology hosts a free civil engineering course titled “Design of Steel Structures” via Swayam. This self-paced, 12-week civil engineering course will cover the limit state design method, connections, strength, tension, and beams.
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There is an optional paid certificate available upon completion.
Harvard University via edX
- Tuition: Free
- Duration: 10 weeks
The course “Energy Within Environmental Constraints” is available for free by Harvard University via edX. In this online learning course, students learn about costs, fossil fuels, electric grids, and more.
Online Civil Engineering Certificate Programs
American Society of Engineers
- Tuition: $2,855 to $3,575
- Duration: Each course is six weeks long
- Credit Hours: 18 credit hours
- Certificate: Construction Engineering
The American Society of Engineering’s Construction Engineering Certificate Program prepares students for a leadership position in construction management. These master-level courses are taught by teachers who are highly experienced in construction engineering. Students will pick a core path of either Building Emphasis or Heavy Civil/Utilities. Then, students can pick four core courses and two elective courses.
University of Kentucky
- Tuition: $685 per credit
- Duration: 15 weeks
- Credit Hours: 9 (3 courses, 3 credit hours each)
- Certificate: Graduate Certificate in Structural Engineering
This certificate program will help students expand their knowledge of structural engineering design and analysis. These courses can be used as professional development hours for Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering license requirements. To apply, a BS in Engineering is required.
University of Illinois
- Tuition: $1110 to $1408 per credit hour
- Duration: 1 semester – 1 year
- Credit Hours: 9-12 credits (3-4 courses per certificate, 3 hours each)
- Certificate: Several offered
The University of Illinois has several Civil and Environmental Engineering online certificate courses. These include Construction Management, Pavement Engineering, Railroad Engineering, and Transportation Engineering. Requirements include a BS in engineering or science and at least a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours. Significant field experience may substitute for a GPA lower than 3.0.
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering
Liberty University
- Tuition: $390 to $455 per credit hour
- Amount of Courses: 28
Liberty University has an online civil engineering degree program for students to get their BS in civil engineering. Classes include Project and Construction Management, Transportations Engineering, and Surveying. Their school is ranked in the top one percent of colleges by BestColleges.com and is the #2 best online school in America on Niche.com.
This program will apply to get ABET-accredited in 2023.
University of North Dakota
- Tuition: $668.92 per hour
- Credit Hours: 128
The University of North Dakota boasts that its civil engineering degree program is top-ranked, personalized, and has small classes. This undergraduate degree is ABET-accredited. Courses include Fluid Mechanics, Steel Design, Reinforced Concrete, and more. New students who apply by the priority deadline get an automatic scholarship.
Old Dominion University
- Tuition: $360 to $407 per credit hour
- Credit Hours: 120
Old Dominion University offers an online civil engineering technology degree. Their program was ranked #11 on the Best Colleges for Online Degrees in Engineering 2020 on CollegeFactual.com. After completing the degree plan, students will be eligible to take the Fundaments of Engineering exam, a requirement in some states.
Best Online Civil Engineering Master’s Degree Programs
Auburn University
- Tuition: $949 per credit hour
- Credit Hours: Minimum of 30 hours
- Degree: Master of Civil Engineering
Aburn University is offering an online master’s degree in civil engineering. A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, GRE, and three letters of recommendation are required to enter this graduate degree program. Online students can choose between a thesis or a non-thesis option. Courses include Open Channel Hydraulics, Chemical Principles of Environmental Engineering, Planning for Multimodal Transportation System, and more.
Stanford University
- Tuition: $1,300 per unit
- Credit Hours: 45 units
Stanford’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Masters program must be completed within five years of starting. No thesis is required for this degree plan. Most of their courses are available online, however, some courses may only be available in person.
Washington University
- Tuition: $23,696 to $42,240
- Credit Hours: Varies
The Master of Science in Civil Engineering program at the University of Washington has two tracks available. The first is the Professional Master’s program, which is for students to enter the workforce without writing a thesis. Alternatively is the research-intensive academic track, which is for students that plan to get their Ph.D.
Doctoral Degree in Civil Engineering
Missouri State University
- Tuition rate: $495.12 per credit hour
This online doctoral graduate program at Missouri State University has specialties like Construction Engineering and Management, Structural Engineering, and Geotechnical Engineering.
Once you pick a civil engineering school from above, your next question will likely be what type of jobs are available to you. From project management to building infrastructure, civil engineers have several career opportunities available to them. Read on to learn a variety of civil engineering jobs you could fill and what your expected salary may be.
Bonus: More of the Best Jobs in Civil Engineering
Because of the variety of duties civil engineers have, there are many opportunities in different fields and job positions. Below is a list of potential job opportunities for people with a bachelor of science in civil engineering.
Planning Engineer
- Average Salary: $92,013
Planning engineers find the most cost-efficient ways to complete projects while complying with safety standards. They evaluate cost factors like materials, labor, and time to choose the best plan of action.
Mining Engineer
- Average Salary: $88,023
Mining engineers examine potential risk factors that may occur during the extraction of oil, gas, or metals from the ground. They also estimate the commercial value and asses particular sites.
Geotechnical Engineer
- Average Salary: $81,932
Geotechnical engineers are similar to mining engineers in that they find potential risk factors and verify the structural safety of projects. However, geotechnical engineers focus on environmental factors and subsurface soils rather than oils, gasses, and metals like mining engineers.
Project Engineer
- Average Salary: $78,801
Project engineers are responsible for planning infrastructure construction projects. They create budgets, manage timelines, keep track of materials needed and used, and train construction staff. They also assess the project throughout its phases to make sure no changes are required.
Fire Engineer
- Average Salary:$75,486
Fire engineers assess and implement fire safety elements in buildings, such as fire exit signs and smoke detector spacing. They are responsible for ensuring the construction of a building meets fire safety standards.
Horizontal Construction Engineer
- Average Salary: $42,119
This type of construction engineering is a part of the army. They operate heavy machines that move materials, identify soils, and also manage machine usage.
Water Hygiene Engineer
- Average Salary: $58,435
Water hygiene engineers plan for and construct sewage systems. They also build and maintain water structures that function as a means of holding, carrying, and maintaining clean water resources.
Read this article to learn about 33 more types of engineers and their salaries.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get Your Civil Engineering Degree Online?
If you enjoy math, problem-solving, critical thinking, and being creative, civil engineering may be the career path for you. No matter your educational background, financial ability, location, or current job, there are opportunities for civil engineering options for everyone.
Additional Reading About Civil Engineering
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Online Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree FAQ
The best degree for civil engineering is a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. This degree gives you foundational knowledge and technical skills that you can build upon through further studies or real-world applications. It also allows you to research the civil engineering fields and pick the right specialization.
Yes, civil engineers can make six figures. However, you shouldn’t expect to make them early on in your career. In most cases, senior civil engineers and those in managerial roles usually earn this salary range.
Yes, civil engineers can work from home. It all depends on the specific service you offer. If you provide civil planning, design services, or even consulting services you don’t need to be physically present to perform your job tasks. You can easily set up your home office and collaborate with your clients from your remote location.
Aside from building a career as an engineer, you can venture into non-engineering careers with your engineering degree. Careers as patent attorneys, architects, graphic designers, technical writers, consultants, and entrepreneurs. Civil engineers can also perform well in a wide range of tech jobs, but you may need to first receive technical training.
A civil engineer design, builds, constructs, and maintains infrastructure, such as airports, tunnels, buildings, bridges, and dams.
It takes about four years to become a civil engineer. The minimum requirement for most civil engineering positions is a bachelor’s degree in the field.
PayScale states that the average civil engineer salary is $66,883 a year. This salary varies based on experience, education, certifications, and location.
Yes, your online civil engineering degree carries the same weight as a traditional degree. Make sure you get your degree from an accredited program.
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