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

First, some facts. Of the Civil Engineering graduates from North Dakota 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 79%, Civil Engineering graduates from North Dakota 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 20% 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 North Dakota State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 82%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Ministry Intern
Cru Global
Aug 2013 - Jul 2015
The Ministry Intern position at Cru Global does not require any civil engineering skills or knowledge, making it unrelated to the Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering.

Civil Design Engineer, EIT
Bolton & Menk, Inc.
Aug 2015 - Feb 2021
As a Civil Design Engineer, EIT at Bolton & Menk, Inc., the job directly utilizes core civil engineering knowledge and skills developed during the Bachelor's program on a daily basis.

Civil Project Engineer, PE
Bolton & Menk, Inc.
Feb 2021 - Apr 2022
The role of Civil Project Engineer, PE at Bolton & Menk, Inc. requires the application of civil engineering expertise and principles, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor's degree.

Civil Project Manager
Bolton & Menk, Inc.
Apr 2022 - Jan 2024
As a Civil Project Manager at Bolton & Menk, Inc., this position involves overseeing engineering projects and utilizing civil engineering skills acquired in the Bachelor's program, ensuring a strong relevance.

Principal Engineer
Bolton & Menk, Inc.
Jan 2024 - Present
The Principal Engineer position at Bolton & Menk, Inc. requires advanced civil engineering knowledge and leadership in projects, directly correlating with the skills developed through the Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering.

ABOUT

I began working in the field of engineering in 2012 and have experience in municipal design, construction inspection and administration, and surveying. I prepare preliminary engineering reports and cost estimates and manage the final design and creation of project construction plans and specifications. I also have significant experience with AutoCAD Civil3D design software. I have construction inspection experience with new construction and reconstruction for state, local, and private entities. Growing up in a small community, I understand resident and client concerns and seek to build relationships with all parties involved. I imagine myself in their position, striving to give them the best product possible.

What jobs can you get with a Civil Engineering degree from North Dakota 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 job profiles of North Dakota State University Civil Engineering graduates, it’s clear that there's a strong mix of positions directly related to civil engineering and those that aren't as relevant. On one end of the spectrum, several graduates have secured roles like Structural Designers, Project Engineers, and Senior Engineers, which all align closely with what they studied. For example, many have moved into positions at engineering firms like Bolton & Menk, Inc. and Moore Engineering, Inc., where they are applying their civil engineering skills in real-world projects. This shows a solid pathway from education to pertinent careers in the field.

However, it’s worth noting that a good number of graduates have ventured into jobs that don’t utilize their civil engineering knowledge at all. Positions in marketing, law, and various administrative roles appear throughout the profiles, suggesting that not every grad follows a traditional engineering path. Overall, while many graduates are working in roles that leverage their civil engineering education, others have pursued unrelated opportunities, indicating varied career trajectories that extend beyond engineering itself.

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 North Dakota State University):

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

When looking at the career trajectories of North Dakota State University graduates with degrees in Civil Engineering, it seems like a good number of them have found their way into solid roles relevant to their field. Many graduates tend to start their careers in typical entry-level positions, such as engineers working for local or state departments like MnDOT or companies involved in civil design and construction. For example, graduates from 2012 and beyond have moved from graduate engineer roles to project manager positions, indicating a clear upward trajectory in responsibilities and expertise.

As time goes on—around the 5 to 10-year mark—you see these individuals climb the ranks to positions like project managers, team leads, or even principals at their firms. This suggests that the education and experience gained at NDSU really do pay off, as many of them remain within engineering roles that leverage their degree, rather than straying into unrelated fields. However, there are a few outliers in the data—like some graduates who transitioned into entirely different careers, such as marketing and law. Still, the overall picture is positive. Most civil engineering alumni are progressing within their field, taking on more complex and responsible roles, which bodes well for future graduates seeking similar paths.

How hard is a Civil Engineering degree from North Dakota State University?

So, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering can be pretty challenging, and the program at North Dakota State University is no exception. Generally, civil engineering is known to be one of the tougher engineering disciplines because it involves a lot of complex math, physics, and design courses that require a solid understanding of concepts and strong problem-solving skills. You'll be taking classes that deal with structures, materials, fluid mechanics, and even environmental engineering, which can be pretty demanding. However, if you're passionate about the field and willing to put in the effort, it's totally doable! Just be ready for a good amount of studying and some late nights with homework, but that’s all part of the journey.

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 North Dakota State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these profiles, it seems like most of the Civil Engineering grads from North Dakota State University are doing pretty well for themselves! Many of them have climbed the ranks in their companies, moving from entry-level roles to project managers and even principal engineers, which usually means their salaries have increased significantly over time. For example, the person who went from a Civil Design Engineer to a Principal Engineer at Bolton & Menk must be earning a decent paycheck now. Others have landed legal and government roles, which can also be well-paying. Overall, it looks like they are making decent money, especially for recent graduates, and are on solid career paths with good growth potential.

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 North Dakota 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