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13 Best Civil Engineering Schools In The World 2026

Bonisiwe Shabane
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13 best civil engineering schools in the world 2026

Many college graduates like design and construction always want to study civil engineering. However, gaining admission into some of the best undergraduate civil engineering schools is usually arduous. Studying in any of the best schools for civil engineering will help you develop the skills you need to build a career. Are you looking for the top civil engineering schools to pursue a career in? Then, this article is the right one for you. Here, you will choose the best engineering school considering tuition fees, program types, and location.

However, civil engineering is the most common and, maybe, the oldest engineering profession. Civil engineering schools prepare students to enter the workforce after they receive an associate degree. Also, the entry requirements for those wishing to study civil engineering vary between schools. Many top civil engineering schools ask for strong academic grades in mathematics and science subjects. Many courses in this field are highly selective and competitive due to the specialized nature of civil engineering. The broad field of civil engineering includes the subfields of structural engineering, geotechnics, earthquake engineering, ocean engineering, water resources and supply, naval engineering, marine engineering, transportation engineering, and municipal engineering.

Students in this field study the planning, design, construction and maintenance of major structures, like buildings, bridges, roads and harbor facilities. Management of air, water and energy resources are other topics covered. These are the world's top universities for civil engineering, based on their research performance in the field. Read the methodology » To unlock more data and access tools to help you get into your dream school, sign up for the U.S. News College Compass!

Tsinghua University, located in northwest Beijing, China, is a public institution that traces its roots back to 1911... Read More Zhejiang University is a public institution that traces its roots back to 1897. The university is located in Hangzhou... Read More Below is a list of best universities in the World ranked based on their research performance in Civil Engineering.

A graph of 53.9M citations received by 2.35M academic papers made by 3,701 universities in the World was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final... We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website. Discover the top universities around the world for studying civil & structural engineering according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject. Nearly 300 universities from around the world have been ranked in this year’s table of the best civil & structural engineering degrees. There’s one climber into the top 10 this year, with EPFL from Switzerland rising one place to 10th.

EPFL is the second Swiss institution to rank among the top 10 for civil & structural engineering, behind ETH Zurich which has risen three places to second this year, overtaking Delft University of Technology... Register for free site membership to access direct university comparisons and more Discover the top universities around the world for studying civil & structural engineering according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject. Civil engineering remains one of the most impactful fields, responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the infrastructures that shape modern societies. Selecting the right institution is crucial for students eager to make a difference. The best civil engineering schools in the world offer more than just academic excellence—they provide access to advanced research, innovative technologies, and industry partnerships that prepare graduates for real-world challenges.

This list of the top 30 civil engineering schools in 2025 highlights institutions that excel in sustainability, resilience, and cutting-edge solutions, setting students up for rewarding and influential careers. UBC’s civil engineering program in Vancouver, Canada, is known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation. With research focused on sustainable infrastructure and environmental engineering, UBC provides students with state-of-the-art facilities and extensive project opportunities. The program emphasizes a global perspective, encouraging students to tackle pressing infrastructure challenges through cutting-edge research and collaboration. UBC’s strong industry connections and supportive academic environment make it a top choice for students aiming to address complex engineering problems in local and international contexts. Pontificia Universidad is a Latin American university that offers a comprehensive civil engineering program with particular strengths in seismic and structural engineering.

Given Chile’s unique geographic and seismic challenges, students gain practical knowledge in designing structures resilient to earthquakes and other natural events. The curriculum combines theoretical rigour with hands-on experience, preparing graduates to address complex infrastructure needs across diverse regions. Focusing on sustainable solutions and advanced engineering technologies, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile equips its students for impactful careers in civil and structural engineering worldwide. The University of Toronto, Renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to civil engineering program, is at the forefront of urban and environmental infrastructure research. Students engage with real-world challenges, from urban planning to sustainable building design, supported by some of Canada’s best engineering research facilities. The program’s global perspective equips students to work in international environments, and its emphasis on innovation and problem-solving ensures graduates are prepared for leadership roles.

A well-rounded curriculum and strong industry partnerships make it a top choice for aspiring civil engineers. 1207 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1228 Wilmington, DE 19806 United States 4048 Rue Jean-Talon O, Montréal, QC H4P 1V5, Canada 622 Atlantic Avenue, Geneva, Switzerland 456 Avenue, Boulevard de l’unité, Douala, Cameroon Choosing where to study engineering shapes everything that comes after.

Not just your diploma, but the networks you build, the research you touch, the companies that recruit you, and honestly, how prepared you feel when real problems land on your desk. Every year a detailed survey on the basis of performance, infrastructure and placements colleges or universities are ranked to help new engineering students to get a list of top colleges in the world. When it comes to civil engineering schools, there are some famous colleges or schools around the world that particular stands tall with their academic performances and other facilities. The ranks are combined after successful survey of employers and academics in comparison with research citations. The main aim is to identify the top notch schools in the field with tremendous international reputation as well as several research impacts in the academic field. The top civil Engineering schools are spread across several countries such as US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and in Asian subcontinent.

According to a recent survey four colleges or schools from US has been listed amongst top ten colleges in the world when it comes to civil engineering branch. The total count goes to eight when it is considered amongst top fifty engineering colleges in the world. The country has some of the best civil engineering schools and the highest performer in the field is MIT or Massachusetts Institute of Technology. According to 2013/14 QS University rankings across the world, MIT holds the top position across all disciplines in engineering. Moreover, US have around 39 top colleges that are ranked in the list of 200 top civil Engineering schools across the globe. When it comes to civil engineering, US holds the highest number of colleges or schools that are in the top list compared to other countries in the globe.

University of Illinois that is at Urbana-Champaign has been ranked as the second highest ranked colleges or school in the world for Civil engineering. Accordingly there are more colleges from the country among the top ten lists such as University of California, Berkeley, which holds the third position followed by University of Texas at Austin that is at... There are few more colleges which are amongst top civil engineering schools Stanford University holding the eleventh position, Purdue University holding the twenty third position, Georgia Institute of Technology currently at twenty sixth position... Each and every college has been ranked according to the survey and considering every aspect. Canada may not have top ten civil engineering colleges but holds 12 universities that are amongst the top 200 top or best civil engineering schools across the globe. University of Toronto holds the thirty-third position and University of British Columbia with fifteenth position that is amongst top fifty colleges in civil engineering from Canada.

However, there are other colleges like University of Alberta, Calgary and University of Waterloo that are quite famous for civil engineering and considered amongst top 200 colleges in the world. Civil engineering is regarded as the oldest engineering discipline that dates to the first time someone created structures to make their lives easier. It deals with the built environment as the profession of designing and creating public works such as highways, bridges, canals, dams, and other facilities and structures. Research in civil engineering is usually done by universities to improve the existing knowledge and to apply them to recent construction and maintenance endeavors. Many universities around the world have excelled in the discipline, but only a few are recognized to be at the top of the international rankings. Here are some of the best civil engineering schools worldwide.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology incorporated itself in 1861 in its first building in Boston, then moved to its current location in Cambridge, the USA, in 1916. MIT specializes in joining academic knowledge and practical purpose in teaching its students. With MIT being recognized as one of the best civil engineering schools worldwide, its Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering utilizes research and multi-disciplinary collaboration to create solutions to the issues related to civil... The faculty and students consistently spearhead field discoveries that benefit communities, industries, and economies. The research contributions of the MIT civil engineering community are unparalleled, as well as the quality of the produced graduates yearly. The innovations in the field, and their positive contributions to human infrastructures, show why MIT is at the top of the global rankings in international universities offering civil engineering.

The undergraduate engineering program rankings were based solely on peer assessment surveys. To appear on an undergraduate engineering survey, a school must have an undergraduate engineering program accredited by ABET. The programs below are schools whose highest engineering degree offered is a bachelor's or master's. Read the methodology » To unlock full rankings, expanded profiles and more, sign up for the U.S. News College Compass!

Update: The 2026 rankings have been updated since the September 23, 2025 publication date. The updated rankings are noted below. For more information, please read this correction. Create your own custom rankings of the Best Engineering (Doctorate Not Offered) recommended based on your preferences. Think about your ideal college experience as you take this five- minute quiz. Don't sweat it — you can continue to customize your list once you receive your school matches.

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Many college graduates like design and construction always want to study civil engineering. However, gaining admission into some of the best undergraduate civil engineering schools is usually arduous. Studying in any of the best schools for civil engineering will help you develop the skills you need to build a career. Are you looking for the top civil engineering schools to pursue a career in? The...

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However, civil engineering is the most common and, maybe, the oldest engineering profession. Civil engineering schools prepare students to enter the workforce after they receive an associate degree. Also, the entry requirements for those wishing to study civil engineering vary between schools. Many top civil engineering schools ask for strong academic grades in mathematics and science subjects. Ma...

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