Civil Engineering Degree in Lexington, KY — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Lexington, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$107K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.6 yrs
in Lexington
Cost of Living
107
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Lexington, KY Overview
Lexington, Kentucky (pop. 322,570) has 14 colleges offering Civil Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 107 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,265/month. Civil Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Structural Analysis and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Lexington is approximately $72,760.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,360/yr
Private Tuition
$42,200/yr
Room & Board
$10,700/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,397/yr
Unemployment
6.4%
Graduation Rate
65%
Civil Engineering Salary in Lexington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lexington's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Lexington adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Lexington
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Lexington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,360 | Private avg: $42,200
Lexington avg aid: $8,397/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,240
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$35,310
vs HS diploma in Lexington
ROI Payback Period
2.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lexington
$817,260
Lifetime earnings premium ($909,500) minus total education cost ($92,240)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Lexington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lexington for Civil Engineering
University of Kentucky
public
$12,360/yr
$49,440 total
Transylvania University
private
$42,200/yr
$168,800 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
$4,680/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Lexington
Lexington offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lexington Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby Kentucky Cities
Other Engineering Majors in Lexington
Petroleum Engineering
$54K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$88K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$54K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$86K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$83K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Lexington — 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 Lexington.