Civil Engineering Bachelor's Degree

Calling all creative, curious, analytical, and detail-oriented individuals. Pursue your desire to improve everyone's quality of life. Design the sustainable infrastructure that supports our civilization. Tackle the engineering challenges of our society head-on. Earn a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Michigan Tech.

Civil engineers are the people's engineers. These professionals are responsible for planning, designing, building, and managing civil structures. Focus on roads, buildings, airports, and tunnels. Improve dams, bridges, water supplies, and sewage systems. Address the modern needs of a growing global population. Learn what is civil engineering.

Explore a career pathway that suits your interests when you choose a path:

  • 12
    out of 20 universities with the greatest salary impact
  • 2
    out of 38 best colleges in Michigan
  • A
    for value and professors
  • 2x2
    double wage, double growth for STEM occupations

Tomorrow Needs Civil Engineers That Support Infrastructure

Engineer sustainable solutions to our deteriorating infrastructure. Fix traffic congestion. Work on urban redevelopment and community planning. Tackle pollution and society's energy needs. Analyze risks posed by natural hazards, such as floods and earthquakes.

Civil engineering is evident in the designs of the Hoover Dam and the Interstate Highway. Design the next Golden Gate Bridge, Panama Canal, or Empire State Building. Civil engineers at Michigan Tech are ready for what tomorrow needs. Are you?

Engineering Enterprise Concentration

You can pursue an Enterprise concentration by taking part in Michigan Tech's award-winning Enterprise program. It's a great way to enhance your undergraduate degree. Enterprise is when students work in teams on real projects, with real clients, in an environment that's more like a business than a classroom. Choose from among 25 Enterprise teams on campus to invent products, provide services, and pioneer solutions. Tackle real-world design projects for industry sponsors or take part in a national competition (or both). This concentration adds courses in business and entrepreneurship.

My Story: Naomi Elliot, MTUengineer

I wanted to have an option to move anywhere and have future job security. Additionally, there are so many opportunities in civil engineering that I love—being able to be outside on job sites or inside designing.

Naomi Elliot
Naomi Elliot ‘26
civil engineering

Be Career-Ready

Graduate with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Michigan Tech. You will be well prepared to transition to an entry-level job in industry. As a civil engineer, you could serve as a design engineer for a consulting firm. Be an estimator, planner, or project manager for a construction company. You could also become a high school teacher of science and math or go on to law school. Our degree provides excellent preparation for graduate school. An advanced degree is desirable for a career in academia.

Explore career opportunities for civil engineers.

  • Civil engineer
  • Transportation engineer
  • Geotechnical engineer
  • Structural engineer
  • Construction inspector
  • Design engineer
  • Municipal engineer

$63,403 mean entry-level salary
Figures from payscale.com, accessed May 2024.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying civil engineering at Michigan's flagship technological university.

 

Connected, innovative.

Build real skills at Michigan Tech. Become an engineer.

Gain diverse experience.

Engage in design and research.

Leap forward in your program.

Connect with students and industry.

“I'm hoping to go into some geostructural work, designing foundations, maybe focusing a little more on the geotechnical side.”Jonathan Wright, civil engineering

Be an MTUengineer

Join the LEAP leaders, wow the elementary students, and attend the AIPG National Conference.

Teach coding and circuitry. Research combustion and nanotechnology. Do a co-op with Kimberly-Clark. Show us how to slurry sand and complete miners training.

Tell us how important wetland mitigation is to you.

This is what we're all about.

Read Student Stories

 

A Professional Start

Civil engineering majors have great peers.

  • American Society of Civil Engineers
  • MTU Society of Women Engineers
  • Chi Epsilon
  • Husky Construction and Design Association
  • National Society of Professional Surveyors

Compete in Enterprise. Join the Steel Bridge Team.

Begin your networking journey here.

Join clubs and groups.

Beyond Engineering

Engineering majors cultivate their interests and talents at Michigan Tech. Join Superior Wind Symphony, follow military service, and be active in local politics.

Dive into Yucatan Culture.

Attend GeekU.P., become a lifeguard, and do a Canal Run. Be a musher. Set a Guinness World Record. Take part in Parade of Nations.

Let yourself shine.

Go Beyond

The CEGE Department

  • Learn from top faculty who are experts in structural, environmental, highway, construction management, and other engineering areas.
  • We teach sustainable engineering practices.
  • Try our pilot-scale environmental simulation lab.
  • Experiment with asphalt and other civil engineering materials.
  • Find out about our innovative Rail Transportation Program.
  • You will receive the personal attention and support necessary for academic success.

MTU engineering

Real Engineering. Meaningful Work.

We are committed to inspiring students, advancing knowledge, and innovating technological solutions to create a sustainable, just, and prosperous world. With an entering engineering class of about 1,000 students, 17 degrees to choose from, and 160 faculty in the College of Engineering alone, we provide a world-class education with the trusted reputation of Michigan Tech.

As a student at Michigan Tech you’ll work closely with faculty mentors, immerse yourself in experience-powered learning, and gain a thorough understanding of engineering practice. Collaborate and innovate in laboratories, coursework, Enterprise, and Senior Design—you'll work with industry partners on real engineering projects and develop strong skill sets for your future.

You could study abroad, with engineering opportunities ranging from a few weeks to one full year. Or focus on problems facing disadvantaged communities in countries around the world. Michigan Tech’s Global and Community Engagement program offers you a range of options.

More than 400 employers regularly recruit our students for internships, co-ops, and full-time employment. Engineering students average seven interviews, and 98 percent are employed within their field of study, enlist in the military, or enroll in a graduate school within six months of graduation. A degree in engineering from Michigan Tech can take you anywhere.

Tomorrow Needs You

Engineers do a lot of things, but there's one thing we do first and foremost: we help people. We use creative ideas and technologies to solve problems in health care, energy, transportation, hunger, space exploration, climate change, and more—much more. Become an engineer who is ready for what tomorrow needs.

Student Stories

"My major gives me the opportunity to be be outside and work in the field, and to be creative and open to new experiences and jobs."Ali Gering, civil engineering