Studying civil engineering in the US’s top universities sets you up for a career of undeniable demand. From smart cities to sustainable transport networks, this is a nation with no shortage of examples to inspire you and no dampening of demand for more architects of progress. Demand for civil engineers here is set to surge by 6% by 2033, with no fewer than 22,900 new opportunities each year.
This is a good opportunity – and a great one for anyone who holds a BEng from any of its top institutions. That degree signals to employers your capacity for problem-solving, innovation, leadership, project management, and entrepreneurship. More so if a long list of practical experience comes with it. The following US universities offer programmes that provide both – a solid reputation among employers and a substantial dose of hands-on learning.
There are many opportunities to engage with faculty, students, and professionals at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Source: University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Anchorage
Set in the heart of the state’s largest city and its business, industrial, cultural, and recreational centre, the University of Alaska Anchorage is where roughly 12,000 students from the US and 89 countries are pursuing their dreams. Here, culture, innovation and adventure converge – a powerful combination that’s led scores of students to successful futures.
Such outcomes can be attributed to the college’s small class sizes, state-of-the-art engineering facilities, mentorship programmes, and numerous student activities. It’s the full learning experience.
Of the many programmes offered here, Geomatics is a highlightnot only trains you to acquire, analyse, manage, and present geospatial data related to the Earth and its built environment, but graduates also get to work with technology in both indoor and outdoor settings. The programme is one of the few in the US to offer programmes in all six disciplines of geomatics, including land surveying and mapping, geodesy, hydrography, remote sensing, traditional and digital photogrammetry, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and geographic information systems (GIS).
Lessons do not just end in the classroom, though. You will get to apply the theories you have learned to the real world, working on capstone projects alongside actual clients. From designing intersections, trail systems, websites, wind turbines, and solar hydroponic systems, to conducting research, opportunities are vast. You can also take your expertise to student clubs and organisations where activities include travelling the country to compete in engineering tournaments and visiting conferences to learn from others and present your own research work.
A programme that does this is Civil Engineering. Here, you will gain hands-on experience through the college’s strong partnerships with local consulting firms, government agencies, and non-profit organisations. This allows you to engage with the professional community of Anchorage and assist them with designing real-world projects that will make a difference not only within the city but the world.
Apply to University of Alaska Anchorage today.
The School of Engineering & Applied Science offers a major in civil engineering, with an environmental engineering option too. Source: GW Engineering/Facebook
George Washington University
George Washington University is committed to creating an even better world. Since its founding can solve them effectively. This is clear for all to see at its School of Engineering & Applied Science.
At this world-class school in the nation’s capital, you learn about the foundations of science and technology, exercise your leadership skills, and be creative when tackling environmental and societal challenges. Whether you’re aiming for engineering, diving deep into computing, or boosting your tech know-how for roles beyond these two fields, GW Engineering has the undergraduate programme for you.
Take the Bachelor of Science with a Major in Civil Engineering programme, for example. Apart from gaining the knowledge and skills to plan, design, and construct buildings, you will also be working on existing real-world projects, such as the clean-up of a deadzone in the Gulf of Mexico, the design of civil infrastructure systems to withstand natural hazards, crash protection for children in car seats, and more. The programme offers an Environmental Engineering Option too, which tackles the economic, environmental, and social aspects of civil engineering.
Guiding you every step of the way are some of the best minds in the field. Over half of faculty members hold doctoral degrees from the nation’s top engineering and computer science programmes. Peers-wise, expect to be part of one of the nation’s most gender-balanced cohorts. GW Engineering has twice the number of female undergraduates compared to other schools.
The College of Engineering provides resources for engineering instruction, research, and outreach. Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Facebook
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
You have the power to shape your future and impact the world – the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is there to only guide you on your journey to success. Since its etablishment in
Its College of Engineering is one of its kind too. It’s the only engineering college in the state, drawing the brightest students here to fulfill their highest aspirations and ambitions.
Here, you work with professors with national and international calibre. They are leaders in their various engineering fields, operate the latest technologies in quality facilities, and engage with a vast network of successful alumni and friends of the college. Their research reaches across the traditional disciplines to apply foundational knowledge to develop and understand the complex systems ranging from the human body to the built and natural environment.
To join them, the BS in Civil Engineering is a good launchpad. Thanks to an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you’ll never be just another face in class. Professors know you and care about your success. Over at Kiewit Hall, you’ll have a US$115 million student-centric engineering hub filled with state-of-the-art classrooms, teaching labs, Engineering Student Services, design/build spaces for student organisations, and a large outdoor quad/promenade for the university community.
As the college aims to turn students into “complete engineers,” practical experience is crucial. As a student here, you’ll learn by using testing equipment to design and monitor critical infrastructure like water treatment and structural systems. You’ll also explore a wide range of specialised courses, tackling design concepts from your freshman year onwards. That’s part of the “Nebraska difference,” the kind that’s led to 80% of students receiving a job offer before graduation.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International