Civil Engineering Degree in Topeka, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Topeka, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$57K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.9 yrs
in Topeka
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Topeka, KS Overview
Topeka, Kansas (pop. 126,587) has 14 colleges offering Civil Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,052/month. Civil Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Structural Analysis and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Topeka is approximately $57,120.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$44,161/yr
Room & Board
$11,239/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,855/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
75%
Civil Engineering Salary in Topeka (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Topeka's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Topeka adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Topeka
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Topeka tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $44,161
Topeka avg aid: $13,855/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,516
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$27,720
vs HS diploma in Topeka
ROI Payback Period
2.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Topeka
$634,484
Lifetime earnings premium ($714,000) minus total education cost ($79,516)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Topeka
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Topeka for Civil Engineering
Washburn University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washburn Institute of Technology
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Topeka
Topeka offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Topeka Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$71K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$70K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$56K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$66K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$73K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$59K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$65K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$65K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Topeka
Petroleum Engineering
$42K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$42K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$67K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$67K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Topeka — 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 Topeka.