Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Degree
What Is a Civil Engineering Degree?
A civil engineering degree is a qualification focusing on the design, development and maintenance of the infrastructure that supports everyday life, including roads, bridges, buildings, water systems and transportation networks. It centers on applying math, science and engineering principles to practical challenges while considering safety, sustainability and long-term impact. Learning commonly includes structural fundamentals, materials, surveying and engineering technologies used in the field.
The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) program at Grand Canyon University builds this foundation through industry-informed coursework that addresses structures, transportation, geotechnical engineering and water resources. Designed for students who want to turn ideas into real solutions, the program blends technical rigor with hands-on learning, project management experience and ethical leadership principles.
Why Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering at GCU?
GCU offers a campus‑based civil engineering experience designed for students who want structured learning opportunities and technical experience alongside a sense of community. With a purpose‑driven approach, supportive faculty and resources built around engineering education, GCU can help you to develop both technical skills and personal confidence as you prepare for the next stage of your academic journey.
GCU’s campus environment gives civil engineering students the chance to learn alongside peers who share similar goals, interests and challenges. From student organizations to campus events and collaborative classes, you can build connections while completing a project-focused engineering degree.
GCU offers tuition and financial support options that are designed to help make on‑campus education more accessible. To support this mission, we have extended our on-campus tuition freeze every year since 2009. Scholarships, financial planning resources and transparent pricing allow students to focus on learning.
As a civil engineering student, you’ll have access to campus labs and facilities designed to support practice-based learning and technical skill development from day one. These spaces allow you to practice engineering concepts, collaborate on projects and gain experience that supports your academic growth.
Bachelor's in Civil Engineering Degree Coursework
This program covers the core technical concepts used to plan, design and manage modern infrastructure. Coursework emphasizes how math, science and engineering principles are used in civil engineering systems and project-based coursework.
This BSCE program teaches competencies in the following core civil engineering areas:
Structural engineering
Analysis and design of steel, concrete, timber and composite structures, including beams, slabs, columns, frames and trusses
Transportation engineering
Highway and roadway planning, traffic engineering, pavement design and transportation systems standards
Geotechnical engineering
Soil mechanics, foundation design, slope stability, retaining structures and soil testing methods
Water resources engineering
Hydrology, hydraulics, fluid mechanics, water conveyance, storage systems and watershed management
Construction engineering and management
Project planning, cost estimating, scheduling, quality control, contracts and delivery methods
Surveying and geomatics
Field surveying techniques, GPS data collection, measurements and mapping for engineering projects
Engineering analysis and mechanics
Statics, dynamics, strength of materials and differential equations that apply to civil systems
Planning, sustainability and ethics
Urban planning, environmental considerations, resilience, regulatory frameworks and professional responsibility
What Can You Do With a Civil Engineering Degree?
A civil engineering degree can help prepare you to apply technical knowledge and problem‑solving skills in practical, field-related contexts that support community and infrastructure development. These engineering career skills can help you work with different teams and contribute to projects across a range of settings, including office environments and on‑site locations where construction activities are monitored.
Some specific jobs that may be related to this BSCE degree include:(See disclaimer 1,2)
Civil engineer
Architectural and engineering manager
Median annual wage for civil engineers as of May 2024(See disclaimer 3)
Estimated job growth for civil engineers from 2024 to 2034(See disclaimer 4)
Pursue Your BSCE Degree at an Accredited University
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The College of Engineering and Technology shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Civil Engineering Degree FAQs
As you explore whether a bachelor's degree in civil engineering aligns with your goals, it’s helpful to understand the field and what the degree involves. The following frequently asked questions offer insights into civil engineering, the academic experience and the potential pathways associated with earning a BS in Civil Engineering.
Is a civil engineering degree worth it?
What skills will you develop in a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program?
Is civil engineering hard?
What’s the difference between civil vs. mechanical engineering?
What software tools are commonly used in civil engineering programs?
How does sustainability connect to civil engineering education?
Discover how this program can introduce you to the concepts behind planning and designing essential infrastructure.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Civil Engineers: What Civil Engineers Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved April 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Civil Engineers: Similar Occupations. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved April 2026.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Civil Engineers, as of May 2024, retrieved April 2026. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as civil engineers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Civil Engineers, retrieved April 2026.