Civil Engineering Degree in Waukegan, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Waukegan, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$90K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.9 yrs
in Waukegan
Cost of Living
90.3
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Waukegan, IL Overview
While Waukegan has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Civil Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,641/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 Waukegan is approximately $61,404.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,641/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,734/yr
Unemployment
5.1%
Graduation Rate
74%
Civil Engineering Salary in Waukegan (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Waukegan's cost of living index of 90.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Waukegan adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Waukegan
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Waukegan tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Waukegan avg aid: $13,734/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$116,164
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$29,799
vs HS diploma in Waukegan
ROI Payback Period
3.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Waukegan
$651,386
Lifetime earnings premium ($767,550) minus total education cost ($116,164)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Waukegan
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Waukegan for Civil Engineering
Waukegan State University
public
$15,619/yr
$62,476 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Waukegan Community College
$4,848/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Waukegan
Waukegan offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Waukegan Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$74K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$63K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$73K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$69K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$61K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$54K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$63K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$71K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Waukegan
Petroleum Engineering
$45K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$45K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$70K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Waukegan — 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 Waukegan.