Civil Engineering Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Syracuse, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$93K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$137K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3 yrs
in Syracuse
Cost of Living
137
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Syracuse, NY Overview
Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Civil Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. Civil Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Structural Analysis and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $93,160.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$14,304/yr
Private Tuition
$57,750/yr
Room & Board
$19,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,141/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
62%
Civil Engineering Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Syracuse
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Syracuse tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750
Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$136,800
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$45,210
vs HS diploma in Syracuse
ROI Payback Period
3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Syracuse
$1,027,700
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,164,500) minus total education cost ($136,800)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Syracuse
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Syracuse for Civil Engineering
Syracuse University
private
$57,750/yr
$231,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Onondaga Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Syracuse
Syracuse offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Syracuse Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby New York Cities
New York City, NY
$113K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$127K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$99K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
Buffalo, NY
$83K starting · COL 122
10 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$96K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$104K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$99K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Rochester, NY
$95K starting · COL 140
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Syracuse
Petroleum Engineering
$69K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$69K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$112K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$69K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$110K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$110K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$107K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$69K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Syracuse — 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 Syracuse.