Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Purdue University West Lafayette

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Purdue University West Lafayette develops students’ ability to solve complex engineering problems and design infrastructure while building a strong foundation in mathematics, science, mechanics, materials, hydraulics, geomatics, and engineering systems. It suits students interested in designing and improving the built environment, with technical electives allowing them to develop depth across areas such as structural, environmental, geotechnical, hydraulic and hydrologic, transportation, materials, architectural, and geomatics engineering.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students begin through Purdue’s First-Year Engineering curriculum, building core skills in mathematics, science, engineering design, communication, and innovation. Key subjects include MA 16100/16500 Calculus I, CHM 11500 General Chemistry I, PHYS 17200 Modern Mechanics, and ENGR 13100/13200 Ideas to Innovation I & II, giving students the analytical and problem-solving foundation needed for later civil engineering study.

Year 2: Students move deeper into engineering fundamentals through subjects such as MA 26100 Multivariate Calculus, CE 29700 Basic Mechanics: Statics, CE 20300 Geomatics, CE 27000 Structural Mechanics, and CE 29800 Basic Mechanics: Dynamics. They also study CM 16400 Computer Graphics and CE 29202 Contemporary Issues in Civil Engineering, connecting mathematical and mechanical principles with civil engineering applications.

Year 3: The curriculum develops core civil engineering capability through CE 33500 Materials in Civil Engineering, CE 34000 Hydraulics, CE 34300 Hydraulics Lab, CE 39201 Technical Communication in Civil Engineering, and CE 39800 Engineering System Design. Students also begin building their specialist profile through technical electives and courses such as CE 38300 Geotechnical Engineering I, CE 37100 Structural Analysis I, or CE 35000 Introduction to Environmental and Ecological Engineering, depending on their chosen emphasis.

Year 4: The final year focuses strongly on advanced technical study, design, and professional preparation, with students completing additional breadth and design technical electives across their selected emphasis areas. The degree culminates in CE 49800 Civil Engineering Design Project, while options such as CE 47000 Structural Steel Design, CE 48300 Geotechnical Engineering II, CE 44000 Urban Hydraulics, CE 36100 Transportation Engineering, and other approved technical electives allow students to tailor their final stage of study.

Focus areas: Architectural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geomatics Engineering, Hydraulic & Hydrologic Engineering, Materials Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation & Infrastructure Systems Engineering.

Learning outcomes: Students develop the ability to solve complex engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics; design solutions considering public health, safety, welfare and environmental, economic and societal factors; communicate effectively; apply ethical and professional judgment; work effectively in teams; conduct experiments and interpret data; and acquire new knowledge as needed.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The BS in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under its General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs, providing an internationally recognized quality framework for the engineering curriculum.

Reputation (employability rankings): Purdue’s official Civil Engineering major page reports the program as #3 among undergraduate civil engineering programs in the U.S. according to U.S. News & World Report for 2025, alongside a reported 96% average placement rate in industry or graduate school.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Civil Engineering at Purdue University gives students extensive opportunities to turn engineering theory into practical skills through laboratory experimentation, computer simulation, design projects, undergraduate research, internships, co-ops, and student engineering organizations. Students can work across nine civil engineering areas and use Purdue’s network of 20+ research and teaching laboratories, two large computer laboratories, and specialized testing facilities while working with faculty and industry-connected projects.

Students can build practical experience through the following opportunities:

Hands-on laboratory work: The Lyles Family Ideas to Innovation (i2i) Laboratory combines lectures, hands-on experimentation, and computer simulation, with large-scale testing equipment, advanced geotechnical equipment, and a digital image correlation system.
Senior design projects: The Olson Senior Design Lab provides high-end computing specifically for senior design projects, including 17 Dell OptiPlex workstations, an HP DesignJet large-format plotter, scanning equipment, and video-editing capabilities.
Civil engineering software: Purdue’s civil engineering computing facilities support CAD software, spreadsheet and word-processing tools, course-specific software packages, numerical modelling, and computer simulation for coursework and design activities.
Hydraulics and hydrology: The Christopher and Susan Burke Hydraulics and Hydrology Laboratory provides undergraduate facilities including water tables, instrumented pipe and pump networks, an air jet, wind tunnel, tabletop water-visualization channel, and open-channel flume for courses such as CE 340/CE 343 Fluid Mechanics.
Advanced water research: The Burke H2O Laboratory includes laboratory flumes and tanks, a 150-foot towing tank, field equipment including an autonomous underwater vehicle, specialized instrumentation, and computational resources including a water-visualization studio and dedicated civil engineering high-performance computing resources.
Geotechnical engineering: The Bechtel Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory provides computer-controlled loading and data-acquisition systems for investigating soil classification, pressure-volume relationships, stress-strain behavior, and soil strength characteristics.
Materials testing: Purdue’s materials facilities include the Bituminous Laboratory, with asphalt and mixture testing equipment, accelerated wheel-track testing, rheological testing, environmental chambers, and computer-controlled data acquisition, as well as the Charles Pankow Concrete Materials Laboratory for advanced cement and concrete analysis.
Structural engineering: The Bowen Laboratory provides large-scale structural testing equipment, including powerful hydraulic presses and cranes for testing building, bridge, and other structural components. The Karl H. Kettelhut Structural Engineering Laboratory and SECSDE high-performance computing laboratory support teaching, material testing, and integrated civil-infrastructure simulation.
Geomatics and digital surveying: Geomatics facilities provide hands-on experience in surveying, photogrammetry, spatial data analysis, GIS, and GPS, giving students practical exposure to digital methods used in civil infrastructure and land-based engineering.
Undergraduate research: BSCE students can join faculty research teams, work in Purdue’s research laboratories, contribute to publications, and apply for opportunities such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) through the Engineering Undergraduate Research Office.
Internships and co-ops: Purdue CCE maintains an Industry Opportunities Portal where civil engineering students can search for internships, co-ops, and full-time positions, review participating employers, submit resumes, and register for on-campus company interviews.
Engineering projects and competitions: Students can participate in organizations such as ASCE, where they work with fellow students on practical projects including concrete canoes and bridges and attend national conferences. Purdue also highlights EPICS, co-op programs, internships, and student-run competitions as experiential opportunities.
Study abroad and field exposure: Purdue CCE students can participate in global study-abroad opportunities in locations including New Zealand, Australia, and Germany, while the school also provides opportunities to travel and observe engineering projects abroad.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Civil Engineering at Purdue combines a broad engineering foundation with multiple civil engineering specializations, giving graduates routes into consulting, construction, infrastructure, environmental, structural, transportation, and public-sector careers. Purdue reports that 93% of CCE students graduate with internship or co-op experience, while the school’s current figures show an average undergraduate starting salary of $70,516.

Typical career roles: Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Construction Project Manager, Environmental Engineer.

Career development and progression:

Career services: Purdue’s Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering provides an Industry Opportunities Portal where students can search full-time, internship, and co-op positions, review employer information, submit resumes, and participate in on-campus interviews. Students also have access to the Center for Career Opportunities, career fairs, employer days, and the CCE Cooperative Education Program.
Employment and salary: Purdue CCE reports an average undergraduate starting salary of $70,516 and that 93% of students graduate with internship or co-op experience. Purdue’s Office of Professional Practice lists a $19.50 median hourly wage for undergraduate Civil Engineering co-op students, with the actual wage varying by employer, location, discipline, performance, and cost of living.
Industry partnerships: CCE works directly with industry to connect students with internships, co-ops and employment. Corporate partners listed by the school include Barton Malow, Bigane Paving, GCI, Holder, Pankow, Related, and Traylor, while employer activities include CESAC career fairs and employer days with organizations such as ExxonMobil, Thornton Tomasetti, Indiana Department of Transportation, JQOL, and Strand Associates.
Co-op experience: Purdue’s CCE Cooperative Education Program can provide 12–18 months of actual work experience, with students alternating academic semesters and full-time company employment. Purdue states that co-op employment provides progressively responsible work related to students’ career goals and produces substantial industry experience before graduation.
Professional accreditation: The BS in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. This provides an established quality framework for the degree and supports graduates pursuing professional engineering pathways where an accredited engineering education is relevant.
Graduation outcomes: Purdue’s BSCE educational objectives state that graduates are expected to enter civil engineering or related professions or pursue advanced degrees, with progression toward greater responsibility and leadership while applying technical, communication, teamwork, and ethical skills.
Career destinations: Purdue identifies graduate career examples including Civil Engineer at AECOM, Assistant Civil Engineer at Burns & McDonnell, Transportation Civil Analyst at Kimley Horn, Water Engineer I at Black & Veatch, Structural EIT at Valdes Engineering, Construction Manager at United Consulting, and Aviation EIT at Woolpert.

Further Academic Progression: After the BSCE, students can continue into Purdue’s Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) or pursue a PhD in Civil Engineering through the Burke Graduate Program. Purdue also offers a Combined BS+MSCE Program, allowing eligible Purdue BSCE/BSCNE students to combine their bachelor’s and master’s studies; the integrated program can be completed in as little as five years.