Civil Engineering Degree in Bridgeport, CT — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Bridgeport, CT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$96K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$141K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.8 yrs
in Bridgeport
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Bridgeport, CT Overview
Bridgeport, Connecticut (pop. 148,529) has 11 colleges offering Civil Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,763/month. Civil Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Structural Analysis and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Bridgeport is approximately $95,880.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$13,201/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$19,837/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,621/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
69%
Civil Engineering Salary in Bridgeport (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bridgeport's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Bridgeport adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Bridgeport
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Bridgeport tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,201 | Private avg: $35,160
Bridgeport avg aid: $10,621/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$132,152
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$46,530
vs HS diploma in Bridgeport
ROI Payback Period
2.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bridgeport
$1,066,348
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,198,500) minus total education cost ($132,152)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Bridgeport
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bridgeport for Civil Engineering
University of Bridgeport
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Housatonic Community College
$4,920/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Bridgeport
Bridgeport offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bridgeport Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby Connecticut Cities
Stamford, CT
$96K starting · COL 141
7 colleges
New Haven, CT
$84K starting · COL 123
10 colleges
Hartford, CT
$79K starting · COL 116
10 colleges
Waterbury, CT
$95K starting · COL 140
8 colleges
Norwalk, CT
$87K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Danbury, CT
$78K starting · COL 115.2
4 colleges
New Britain, CT
$75K starting · COL 109.7
3 colleges
West Hartford, CT
$77K starting · COL 112.5
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Bridgeport
Petroleum Engineering
$71K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$71K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$116K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$71K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$113K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$113K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$110K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$71K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Bridgeport — 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 Bridgeport.