Civil Engineering Degree in Buffalo, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Buffalo, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$83K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$122K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.7 yrs
in Buffalo
Cost of Living
122
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Buffalo, NY Overview
Buffalo, New York (pop. 278,349) has 10 colleges offering Civil Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 122 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,292/month. Civil Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Structural Analysis and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Buffalo is approximately $82,960.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$10,099/yr
Private Tuition
$32,790/yr
Room & Board
$17,384/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,716/yr
Unemployment
6.2%
Graduation Rate
54%
Civil Engineering Salary in Buffalo (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Buffalo's cost of living index of 122 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Buffalo adjustment factor: 1.22x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Buffalo
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Buffalo tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,099 | Private avg: $32,790
Buffalo avg aid: $12,716/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$109,932
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$40,260
vs HS diploma in Buffalo
ROI Payback Period
2.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Buffalo
$927,068
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,037,000) minus total education cost ($109,932)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Buffalo
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Buffalo for Civil Engineering
University at Buffalo
public
$10,099/yr
$40,396 total
Canisius University
private
$32,790/yr
$131,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Erie Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Buffalo
Buffalo offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Buffalo Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby New York Cities
New York City, NY
$113K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$127K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$99K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$96K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$104K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$99K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Rochester, NY
$95K starting · COL 140
13 colleges
Huntington, NY
$92K starting · COL 135.6
8 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Buffalo
Petroleum Engineering
$61K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$100K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$61K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$98K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$98K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$95K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Buffalo — 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 Buffalo.