Civil Engineering Degree in Little Rock, AR — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Little Rock, AR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$85K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.3 yrs
in Little Rock
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Little Rock, AR Overview
Little Rock is one of Arkansas's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 18,659. Public tuition averages $9,312/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Civil Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Structural Analysis and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Little Rock is approximately $57,800.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$13,320/yr
Room & Board
$13,863/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,402/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Civil Engineering Salary in Little Rock (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Little Rock's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Little Rock adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Little Rock
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Little Rock tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $13,320
Little Rock avg aid: $15,402/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,700
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$28,050
vs HS diploma in Little Rock
ROI Payback Period
3.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Little Rock
$629,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($722,500) minus total education cost ($92,700)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Little Rock
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Little Rock for Civil Engineering
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Philander Smith University
private
$13,320/yr
$53,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pulaski Technical College
$3,800/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Little Rock
Little Rock offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Little Rock Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby Arkansas Cities
Fayetteville, AR
$61K starting · COL 89
4 colleges
Fort Smith, AR
$53K starting · COL 78.5
4 colleges
Springdale, AR
$58K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Jonesboro, AR
$56K starting · COL 82.5
4 colleges
Rogers, AR
$60K starting · COL 88.2
3 colleges
Conway, AR
$57K starting · COL 84.5
3 colleges
North Little Rock, AR
$59K starting · COL 86.6
3 colleges
Bentonville, AR
$63K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Little Rock
Petroleum Engineering
$43K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$70K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$43K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$68K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Little Rock — 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 Little Rock.