What can you do with a Civil Engineering degree from Colorado State University?

First, some facts. Of the Civil Engineering graduates from Colorado State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 19 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 79%, Civil Engineering graduates from Colorado State University have a much higher likelihood (+12%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 79%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 21% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Civil Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Civil Engineering graduate from Colorado State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 89%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Civil Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Water Engineering and Field Services Intern
City of Fort Collins
Jun 2016 - Mar 2017
As a Water Engineering and Field Services Intern, the position directly applies civil engineering principles and knowledge, aligning closely with the individuals Bachelor's degree.

Project Engineer
Premier Earthworks and Infrastructure
Mar 2017 - Sep 2017
The role of Project Engineer at Premier Earthworks and Infrastructure requires the application of civil engineering knowledge and skills on a daily basis, making it directly relevant.

Cashier
Target
Dec 2017 - May 2018
The cashier position at Target does not utilize any civil engineering skills or knowledge, rendering it unrelated to the individual's degree.

Fulfillment Associate
Amazon
Apr 2018 - Sep 2018
As a Fulfillment Associate at Amazon, the job does not require civil engineering knowledge or skills, making it unrelated to the individuals academic background.

CAD I / EIT I
Goodbee & Associates, Inc.
Aug 2018 - Jul 2020
As a CAD I / EIT I at Goodbee & Associates, Inc., the position leverages skills in computer-aided design and engineering fundamentals directly connected to civil engineering studies.

Project Engineer
Engineering Services, Inc.
Aug 2020 - Nov 2022
The Project Engineer role at Engineering Services, Inc. directly employs civil engineering knowledge and skills, making it highly relevant to the individuals degree.

Project Engineer
Point Consulting, LLC
Nov 2022 - Present
Working as a Project Engineer at Point Consulting, LLC requires daily application of civil engineering principles, aligning well with the individuals educational background.

ABOUT

I am a fast learning individual who is able to problem solve at a moments notice and capable of developing lasting relationships. Along wit this, I have applied for permits related to specific bid items on the schedule of values. Finally, I have inspected post construction ponds and silt barriers for compliance with city standards and specifications.

What jobs can you get with a Civil Engineering degree from Colorado State University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the career paths of Colorado State University civil engineering graduates, it's clear that many have found themselves in roles that utilize their degree directly. Common positions like Engineer in Training, Civil Engineer, and Project Engineer pop up frequently, and these roles generally require core civil engineering knowledge and skills. For instance, positions at companies like Parsons Corporation and Halliburton showcase a strong application of engineering principles, which aligns well with the educational foundation provided by the university. Even roles like Civil Analyst and Design Engineer maintain a direct connection to civil engineering practices, indicating that many graduates are indeed pursuing careers closely tied to their studies.

However, not every job has stayed within the civil engineering realm. Some graduates have ventured into roles in business consulting or IT, where their engineering background may offer some analytical skills, but the relevance to civil engineering is quite low. For instance, being a Business Analyst or a Sales Engineer might touch on project management but lacks the direct application of civil engineering principles. Overall, while a significant number of civil engineering graduates secure relevant positions, it’s also notable that some drift away from the field, leading to a mixed landscape of job relevance among this group.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Civil Engineering graduates (this is across all Civil Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Colorado State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Civil Engineering graduates from Colorado State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When you look at the career trajectories of Civil Engineering graduates from Colorado State University, you can see a pretty solid path for many of them. Right after graduating, a lot of folks start off in roles like Graduate Engineers, Engineering Technicians, or Project Engineers. This initial experience often helps them dive deeper into the engineering field, working on projects that align closely with their studies. For instance, several graduates have landed jobs in reputable firms like Accenture, Lockheed Martin, and various engineering consultancies right out of school, which is a promising sign! It seems like many also get involved in research or project management roles, allowing them to hone their skills and gain valuable experience.

Fast forward five to ten years, and many of these graduates continue to flourish in fields directly related to Civil Engineering. Positions like Senior Structural Engineer, Project Manager, and even roles in local government suggest that they’re not just getting by – they’re building impressive careers. Sure, there are a few who veered into more corporate or unrelated roles, but the majority seem to find their footing in engineering or closely related fields. Overall, it looks like a degree from Colorado State University really sets the stage for a promising career in Civil Engineering and its various applications.

How hard is a Civil Engineering degree from Colorado State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, whether at Colorado State University or elsewhere, can be pretty challenging. You’ll dive into a lot of math and science courses, like calculus, physics, and materials science, which can be intense if you're not super comfortable with those subjects. There’s also a good amount of project work and labs involved, where you'll apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios, which can be both demanding and time-consuming. It's not the easiest degree out there, but if you’re passionate about the field and willing to put in the effort, you can definitely make it through—just be prepared for some late nights and a fair amount of coffee!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering.

Do Civil Engineering graduates from Colorado State University tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Civil Engineering grads from Colorado State University, it seems like they’ve generally landed pretty decent jobs that likely pay well. Many have progressed into roles like Senior Engineers or Project Engineers, which typically come with good salaries, especially if they stick with companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, or Accenture, known for competitive pay in the engineering and consulting fields. Even those who started in internships and junior roles seem to be moving up steadily. Sure, some started with a couple of less glamorous positions, like cashier roles, but that’s not unusual for getting your foot in the door. Overall, they appear to be on a solid path to financial stability, and if they keep learning and climbing, they're likely to earn good money down the line.

What buzzwords do Civil Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering (this is across all Civil Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Colorado State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Civil Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Civil Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
California State University, Long Beach 100 10
California State University-Long Beach 97 11
University of Missouri-Columbia 96 13
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 96 14
San Jose State University 95 11
University of Arkansas 95 10
Michigan State University 94 10
Northeastern University 94 15
University of Utah 93 11
University of Wisconsin-Platteville 93 11
University of Washington 92 16
Brigham Young University 92 18
Iowa State University 92 18
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 92 28
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 92 36
Oregon State University 92 13
University of Massachusetts Amherst 92 12
University of Nevada, Reno 92 13
Missouri University of Science and Technology 92 11
University of Central Florida 91 15
Manhattan College 91 18
Clarkson University 91 11
Florida International University 90 10
University of Wisconsin-Madison 90 16
The University of Texas at El Paso 90 10
Michigan Technological University 90 10
University of California, Davis 89 21
University of Delaware 89 16
Rowan University 89 10
San Diego State University 88 13
Arizona State University 87 16
University of South Florida 87 10
Auburn University 87 17
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 87 10
University of South Alabama 87 10
Virginia Tech 86 13
New Jersey Institute of Technology 86 31
Texas A&M University 85 38
Florida State University 85 15
North Carolina State University 85 20
Texas Tech University 85 12
Wentworth Institute of Technology 85 10
The Ohio State University 84 19
California State University-Sacramento 84 29
University of Florida 83 17
Louisiana State University 83 25
University of Kentucky 83 10
Penn State University 82 32
The University of Texas at Arlington 82 15
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 81 15
West Virginia University 81 10
University of Maine 81 11
Colorado State University 79 19
Washington State University 79 16
North Dakota State University 79 10
The University of Texas at Austin 77 17
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 77 10
Georgia Institute of Technology 77 17
Mississippi State University 76 16
Clemson University 74 20
University of Colorado Boulder 72 11
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 70 11
Purdue University 69 22
United States Military Academy at West Point 43 10