Civil Engineering Degree in Fort Collins, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Fort Collins, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$86K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$126K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.1 yrs
in Fort Collins
Cost of Living
126
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Fort Collins, CO Overview
While Fort Collins has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Civil Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,826/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 Fort Collins is approximately $85,680.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,138/yr
Private Tuition
$33,574/yr
Room & Board
$19,826/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,695/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Civil Engineering Salary in Fort Collins (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fort Collins's cost of living index of 126 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Fort Collins adjustment factor: 1.26x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Fort Collins
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Fort Collins tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,138 | Private avg: $33,574
Fort Collins avg aid: $10,695/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$127,856
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$41,580
vs HS diploma in Fort Collins
ROI Payback Period
3.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fort Collins
$943,144
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,071,000) minus total education cost ($127,856)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Fort Collins
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fort Collins for Civil Engineering
Colorado State University
public
$12,138/yr
$48,552 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Front Range Community College
$4,419/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Fort Collins
Fort Collins offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fort Collins Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$87K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$83K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$75K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$72K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$70K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$72K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Westminster, CO
$71K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$83K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Fort Collins
Petroleum Engineering
$63K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$63K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$103K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$63K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$101K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$101K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$98K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$63K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Fort Collins — 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 Fort Collins.