Civil Engineering Degree in Bend, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Bend, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$107K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.2 yrs
in Bend
Cost of Living
107
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Bend, OR Overview
While Bend has a smaller college scene with 2 institutions, Civil Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $16,767/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Civil Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Structural Analysis and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Bend is approximately $72,760.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
2
Public Tuition
$11,580/yr
Private Tuition
$54,584/yr
Room & Board
$16,767/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,503/yr
Unemployment
7%
Graduation Rate
49%
Civil Engineering Salary in Bend (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bend's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Bend adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Bend
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Bend tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,580 | Private avg: $54,584
Bend avg aid: $7,503/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$113,388
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$35,310
vs HS diploma in Bend
ROI Payback Period
3.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bend
$796,112
Lifetime earnings premium ($909,500) minus total education cost ($113,388)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Bend
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bend for Civil Engineering
Oregon State University-Cascades
public
$11,580/yr
$46,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Central Oregon Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Bend
Bend offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bend Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$76K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$88K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$82K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$75K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$79K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$72K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$75K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$82K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Bend
Petroleum Engineering
$54K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$88K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$54K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$86K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$83K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Bend — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Civil Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Bend.