Civil Engineering, BS
Pursue a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with optional environmental specialization and gain expertise to engineer a more sustainable future.
About this Program
Designing Infrastructure for a More Sustainable & Equitable World
Our ABET-accredited and award-winning civil engineering program will provide you with a strong foundation in mathematics, engineering sciences and the humanities.
You’ll benefit from our low student-faculty ratio as you connect closely with your professors. Faculty are well connected to the professional engineering community and emphasize real-world applications in their courses.
Our curriculum is practical, with hands-on learning and career development built into our programs at every level—from class projects to quarterly advising meetings. Our Seattle location puts you in the center of a region that greatly values students with the skillsets we emphasize. Our graduates work on solving some of the most important problems of our time, including making buildings safe in earthquakes, designing flood management projects that also improve fish habitat, ensuring roadways are safe for pedestrians, and providing clean drinking water in a safe, economical and sustainable way.
Along with excellent engineering skills, you’ll develop leadership potential, ethics and sense of social responsibility in our Bachelor of Civil Engineering program. Our Jesuit and Catholic educational approach emphasizes a well-rounded education. We'll do everything we can to help you chart a path towards work that provides personal meaning while also supporting a more just and equitable society.
Top 25% in Science & Engineering
Seattle University ranks #40 in the nation —U.S. News & World Report, 2023
Women Civil Engineering Students
Vs. national average of 27% of women civil engineering students. —ASEE, 2022
Of SU Civil Engineering Students
Identify as People of Color vs. national average of 38% —ASEE, 2021
Senior Projects: Real Projects, Industry Sponsors
Your year-long, industry-sponsored senior design project gives you the opportunity to collaborate with an industry sponsor on a real project—and explore all the complex factors that you’ll encounter on the job. As of 2024, 21 of our design team projects have earned the prestigious NCEES Engineering Education Award for their work.
Careers Development from the Start
You’ll be placed on a career development track in your first quarter, with opportunities to explore different careers in civil engineering and connect to employers in Seattle’s engineering community.
Inclusive, Global Education
Our Jesuit values mean we see the world through a global, justice-focused lens. Our strong commitment to diversity and small class sizes help create a forward-thinking, close-knit community where everyone can feel at home—and go on to thrive in a global workforce.
Prepared for Success in Seattle and Beyond
Due to our extensive industry networks and the demand for civil engineers, our program has a high job placement rate. Our graduates work in top private-sector firms and government agencies while some seek advanced degrees.
Hear From Our Student
Brooke Kierzek, ‘25
“My favorite thing about the faculty within the Seattle University Civil Engineering program is that they recognize that each student is unique and has different goals and aspirations. The faculty truly care about teaching and student success, which I feel has contributed to the closeness of my peers and I in my cohort.”
BS in Civil Engineering
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