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

First, some facts. Of the Civil Engineering graduates from Purdue 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 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Civil Engineering graduates from Purdue University have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 69%
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, 36% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Civil Engineering graduate.

See the details:

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


Relevance score: 50%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2010 from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Sales Director
Autospec Inc
Jan 2011 - Present
The role of Sales Director may require some general skills in communication and negotiation that are relevant to Civil Engineering projects, but it does not utilize specific engineering knowledge or skills daily, limiting its relevance.

ABOUT

No information provided.

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

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


It seems like graduates from Purdue University's Civil Engineering program have landed a wide variety of jobs, but there’s a noticeable split between those that directly apply civil engineering skills and those that don’t. Many of the more relevant positions include roles like Project Engineer, Civil Engineer, and various managerial positions within construction firms, where they can directly use the knowledge and techniques learned during their studies. For instance, titles like Vice President at a paving company or roles in transportation engineering really showcase how alumni are leveraging their backgrounds in practical, industry-specific contexts.

On the flip side, a significant number of graduates have taken roles that either completely stray from civil engineering or only tangentially involve it. Positions in sales, finance, and technology consulting do pop up frequently among the alumni, suggesting that some may be using their degree more as a stepping stone into broader business roles rather than strictly engineering-focused careers. So, while many alums are happily working in roles that make full use of their civil engineering skills, it’s clear that not everyone uses their degree in the traditional sense. This mix highlights that a civil engineering degree offers diverse career paths, even beyond what you might expect from a textbook definition of the field!

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 Purdue University):

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

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Purdue University’s Civil Engineering program, it seems like many of them have landed solid positions that align closely with their field of study right after graduation. From project engineers to various management roles, the initial jobs tend to emphasize hands-on engineering experience in companies like Kiewit, ExxonMobil, and Citizens Energy Group. This showcases a strong connection to civil and structural engineering right after graduation, which is a promising sign for potential students considering this path.

As for their careers five to ten years later, many graduates appear to be climbing the ladder, moving into senior, management, and even executive roles within the engineering and construction sectors. Positions like Vice President and Senior Manager reflect a natural progression in their careers, which suggests that Purdue’s program not only provides a solid foundation in engineering principles but also equips students with skills applicable to leadership and strategic roles. While there are a few exceptions, like some graduates shifting to unrelated fields or taking less conventional paths, the overall trend is positive, pointing to a majority of graduates finding success in careers that are relevant to civil engineering. So, if you’re thinking about pursuing civil engineering at Purdue, it looks like a pretty solid choice for a bright future!

How hard is a Civil Engineering degree from Purdue University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at Purdue University is definitely challenging, but it's not impossible! You'll dive into a lot of math, physics, and technical subjects, and the workload can be pretty intense with projects and labs, especially during exam periods. Purdue has a solid reputation, so the classes can be pretty competitive, and you'll need to dedicate a good amount of time to studying and working on group projects. However, if you stay organized and manage your time well, you can definitely handle it. Overall, I'd say it's tougher than some majors, but if you’re passionate about engineering and willing to put in the effort, you'll find it rewarding!

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 Purdue University tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Purdue Civil Engineering graduates, it seems like many have landed solid jobs and are likely doing pretty well financially. Those who graduated earlier, especially those in leadership roles like the Vice President and Sales Director, probably have good salaries. Even mid-career folks, like the Senior Manager at Accenture and the various project engineers, are usually making decent money, especially in reputable firms. The new grads, like the transportation engineers and structural associates, might be starting out on the lower end of the pay scale, but they’re also entering a field that generally pays well over time. Overall, it appears they've mostly found their footing in roles that should lead to a comfortable lifestyle as they progress in their careers.

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 Purdue 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