Civil Engineering Degree in Garden Grove, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Garden Grove, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$102K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$150K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.6 yrs
in Garden Grove
Cost of Living
150.3
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Garden Grove, CA Overview
Garden Grove, California (pop. 172,646) has 7 colleges offering Civil Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 150.3 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,160/month. Civil Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Structural Analysis and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Garden Grove is approximately $102,204.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$17,153/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,754/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
66%
Civil Engineering Salary in Garden Grove (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Garden Grove's cost of living index of 150.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Garden Grove adjustment factor: 1.50x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Garden Grove
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Garden Grove tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Garden Grove avg aid: $9,754/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$126,612
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$49,599
vs HS diploma in Garden Grove
ROI Payback Period
2.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Garden Grove
$1,150,938
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,277,550) minus total education cost ($126,612)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Garden Grove
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Garden Grove for Civil Engineering
Garden Grove State University
public
$13,746/yr
$54,984 total
University of Garden Grove
public
$14,677/yr
$58,708 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Garden Grove Community College
$6,550/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Garden Grove
Garden Grove offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Garden Grove Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$96K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$95K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$88K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$78K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$80K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$76K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$79K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$90K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Garden Grove
Petroleum Engineering
$75K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$75K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$123K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$75K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$120K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$120K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$117K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$75K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Garden Grove — 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 Garden Grove.