Civil Engineering Degree in Roanoke, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Roanoke, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$89K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.9 yrs
in Roanoke
Cost of Living
88.5
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Roanoke, VA Overview
While Roanoke has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Civil Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,393/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 Roanoke is approximately $60,180.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,393/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,213/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Graduation Rate
63%
Civil Engineering Salary in Roanoke (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Roanoke's cost of living index of 88.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Roanoke adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Roanoke
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Roanoke tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Roanoke avg aid: $11,213/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,372
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$29,205
vs HS diploma in Roanoke
ROI Payback Period
3.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Roanoke
$637,878
Lifetime earnings premium ($752,250) minus total education cost ($114,372)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Roanoke
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Roanoke for Civil Engineering
Roanoke State University
public
$14,684/yr
$58,736 total
University of Roanoke
public
$12,724/yr
$50,896 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Roanoke Community College
$5,068/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Roanoke
Roanoke offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Roanoke Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$60K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$62K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$97K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$63K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$68K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$63K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$69K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$66K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Roanoke
Petroleum Engineering
$44K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$73K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$44K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$71K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Roanoke — 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 Roanoke.