What can you do with a Civil Engineering degree from University of South Florida?

First, some facts. Of the Civil Engineering graduates from University of South Florida 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 87%, Civil Engineering graduates from University of South Florida have a much higher likelihood (+20%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 87%
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 30% 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 University of South Florida and our analysis:


Relevance score: 75%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from University of South Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Application Engineer
Southeastern Pump
Nov 2013 - Mar 2019
As an Application Engineer, the individual may use some technical skills that overlap with civil engineering, but the role primarily focuses on applications unrelated to civil engineering core knowledge.

Civil Engineer
HBC Engineering Company
Apr 2019 - Mar 2021
The position of Civil Engineer at HBC Engineering Company directly utilizes the core skills and knowledge gained from a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, making it highly relevant.

Civil Design Engineer
AKS Engineering and Forestry
Mar 2021 - Present
As a Civil Design Engineer at AKS Engineering and Forestry, the role requires the application of civil engineering principles and practices learned during the Bachelor's program, establishing clear relevance.

ABOUT

Experienced and versatile Civil Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the civil engineering industry. Strong engineering professional skilled in AutoCAD, Project Estimation, Lift Station Design, Hydraulic Analysis, Maintenance of Traffic (Temporary Traffic Control), Utility Coordination, and Teamwork.

What jobs can you get with a Civil Engineering degree from University of South Florida?

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


When you look at the job history of folks who graduated with a Civil Engineering degree from the University of South Florida, it seems like a good chunk of them have ended up in roles that directly tie back to their degree. Many have taken on positions like Project Engineer, Facilities Engineer, or even Civil Design Engineer, which all heavily rely on the knowledge and skills they've gained through their studies. For instance, those working as Project Engineers are applying the hands-on, project management skills that are definitely taught during their time in school. Overall, it looks like there are solid opportunities for these grads to put their education to work in various engineering capacities.

However, there are also several who veer off the traditional Civil Engineering path. Some end up in roles like Application Engineer or Industrial Account Manager, which don’t really require the kind of civil engineering knowledge that would be expected from their degree. While some of these roles may use certain engineering principles or skills, they don't align closely with the core focus of civil engineering. So, while many grads are thriving in relevant careers, others find themselves in positions that are only loosely connected to what they studied. This shows that while a Civil Engineering degree opens up a vast array of engineering job opportunities, not everyone sticks closely to that path right out of college.

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 University of South Florida):

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

When you look at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of South Florida with a degree in Civil Engineering, it’s pretty clear that many of them find themselves in solid roles right after graduation. For instance, several people started off as engineers or project engineers soon after they tossed their caps in the air. Positions like Engineer Inspector, Project Manager, and even roles in notable organizations like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs show that these grads are landing jobs that are both relevant and challenging. It seems like they’re generally starting off on the right foot, often taking on various engineering roles, and many stick close to the core of civil engineering such as project design, construction, or infrastructure management.

Looking five or ten years down the line, things are looking even better! Many of the alumni have progressed into management positions or specialized roles. For instance, one graduate went from a Technical Manager to becoming an Owner of their own engineering firm. Others have climbed the ranks in organizations like the Department of Defense or moved into project management roles that maintain their engineering focus. From what you can see, graduates from USF typically stay within the civil engineering field, which reflects positively on the program and provides assurance that if you pursue a degree in this field, you’re likely stepping into a career that offers growth and relevance. Overall, it's a pretty optimistic picture for future civil engineers coming out of USF!

How hard is a Civil Engineering degree from University of South Florida?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering can be pretty challenging, regardless of where you study, and the University of South Florida is no exception. You’re going to deal with a lot of tough subjects like calculus, physics, and materials science, plus those rigorous design courses that require a good amount of problem-solving skills and attention to detail. It’s not just about hitting the books; you'll also probably have group projects and labs that can be time-consuming. That said, if you’re passionate about the field and willing to put in the effort, it can be manageable. Just be prepared for late nights and a lot of coffee! Overall, it’s definitely on the harder side compared to many other degrees, but many students find the experience rewarding if they stick with it.

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 University of South Florida tend to make good money?

When you look at the career paths of these Civil Engineering grads from the University of South Florida, it seems like most of them are doing pretty well financially. The person who's been running their own engineering firm since 2020 likely saw decent earnings, and the various roles at government and private companies usually pay well, especially as they climbed the ladder. Even the recent grads, like the ones who are already project engineers, seem to be securing solid positions early in their careers. All in all, it looks like they’re on a good track to make decent money—and with the experience they’re building, their salaries will probably keep growing.

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 University of South Florida). 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