Civil Engineering Degree in Elgin, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Elgin, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$79K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.1 yrs
in Elgin
Cost of Living
79
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Elgin, IL Overview
Elgin, Illinois (pop. 114,797) has 13 colleges offering Civil Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 79 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,008/month. Civil Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Structural Analysis and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Elgin is approximately $53,720.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$10,014/yr
Private Tuition
$30,900/yr
Room & Board
$9,983/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,897/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
47%
Civil Engineering Salary in Elgin (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Elgin's cost of living index of 79 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Elgin adjustment factor: 0.79x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Elgin
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Elgin tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,014 | Private avg: $30,900
Elgin avg aid: $15,897/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$26,070
vs HS diploma in Elgin
ROI Payback Period
3.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Elgin
$591,512
Lifetime earnings premium ($671,500) minus total education cost ($79,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Elgin
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Elgin for Civil Engineering
Judson University
private
$30,900/yr
$123,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Elgin Community College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Elgin
Elgin offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Elgin Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$74K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$63K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$73K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$69K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$61K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Springfield, IL
$63K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$71K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$61K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Elgin
Petroleum Engineering
$40K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$40K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$65K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$40K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$63K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$63K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$62K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$40K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Elgin — 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 Elgin.