Civil Engineering master's degree programs in California
Compare 11 reporting programs using the same federal field and master's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in California
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · Debt not reported$130,6752California State University, Los AngelesLos Angeles · Debt not reported$120,6513University of California, San DiegoLa Jolla · Debt not reported$112,2234Stanford UniversityStanford · Debt not reported$112,1185California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona · Debt not reported$110,8636California State University, FullertonFullerton · Debt not reported$108,8267California State University, SacramentoSacramento · Debt not reported$108,1938University of California, DavisDavis · Debt not reported$106,8949California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo · Debt not reported$106,00410California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge · Debt not reported$104,388
CAREER CONTEXT IN CA
What related occupations pay in California
These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.
11-9041Architectural and Engineering Managers
- State median wage
- $210,280
- Middle 50% wage range
- $169,140–$251,890
- State employment
- 29,630
- Projected growth
- +5.5%
- Annual openings
- 14,900
25-1032Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $137,280
- Middle 50% wage range
- $104,920–$189,630
- State employment
- 2,720
- Projected growth
- +7.8%
- Annual openings
- 3,900
17-2051Civil Engineers
- State median wage
- $122,500
- Middle 50% wage range
- $96,590–$149,350
- State employment
- 55,180
- Projected growth
- +6.4%
- Annual openings
- 22,700
17-2199Engineers, All Other
- State median wage
- $130,850
- Middle 50% wage range
- $98,520–$169,830
- State employment
- 28,610
- Projected growth
- +3.7%
- Annual openings
- 8,800
17-2081Environmental Engineers
- State median wage
- $130,410
- Middle 50% wage range
- $95,950–$148,650
- State employment
- 4,550
- Projected growth
- +6.3%
- Annual openings
- 2,300
17-2151Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
- State median wage
- $158,130
- Middle 50% wage range
- $122,120–$169,770
- State employment
- 520
- Projected growth
- +3.8%
- Annual openings
- 300
17-2171Petroleum Engineers
- State median wage
- $143,590
- Middle 50% wage range
- $126,500–$171,980
- State employment
- 1,060
- Projected growth
- +2.0%
- Annual openings
- 1,000
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.
ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS
Compare every available outcome
Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles | $130,675 | Not available |
| 2 | California State University, Los Angeles | Los Angeles | $120,651 | Not available |
| 3 | University of California, San Diego | La Jolla | $112,223 | Not available |
| 4 | Stanford University | Stanford | $112,118 | Not available |
| 5 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | Pomona | $110,863 | Not available |
| 6 | California State University, Fullerton | Fullerton | $108,826 | Not available |
| 7 | California State University, Sacramento | Sacramento | $108,193 | Not available |
| 8 | University of California, Davis | Davis | $106,894 | Not available |
| 9 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo | $106,004 | Not available |
| 10 | California State University, Northridge | Northridge | $104,388 | Not available |
| 11 | University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles | $103,685 | Not available |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Civil Engineering in California
What do Civil Engineering master's degree graduates earn in California?
Across 11 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $108,826 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The current federal release does not contain enough reportable debt figures for this comparison.
Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. University of Southern California has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.