The average GRE scores for Civil and Environmental Engineering MS programs, according to the historical data and the official ETS website, lie around 318.
Although a lot of universities have made the GRE optional for 2022 due to the COVID crisis, GRE scores can give you an edge over other applicants in the pool.
Since there are three sections within the GRE, namely, Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing–let’s assess how much you need to qualify for a Civil and Environmental Engineering MS program.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Score for Civil and Environmental Engineering MS Programs:
Quantitative Reasoning is by far the most important section in the GRE for the Civil and Environmental Engineering program (and for Engineering programs in general). On average, applicants accepted into Civil and Environmental Engineering programs in the USA have a Quantitative Reasoning score of 160 on average.
Thus, to increase your chances of being accepted and standing out amongst the pool of applicants, you need to aim for a Quantitative Reasoning score of at least 160, especially if your dream university is one of the Ivy-league ones or is a top-tier program university, you should aim for an even higher score.
GRE Verbal Reasoning Score for Civil and Environmental Engineering MS Programs:
Although Verbal Reasoning scores are not given much priority within Engineering streams, they can play an important role in setting your profile apart. On average, applicants in the Engineering programs get a score of 150 in their Verbal Reasoning.
It is important because it helps programs gauge your overall reading and comprehension skills, something that is really important when pursuing a Master’s or a Ph.D. degree. However, do not worry yourself too much about the Verbal Reasoning section, especially if you struggle with grammar and language. Aim to get at least 150 in the Verbal Reasoning section while preparing for a high Quant score!
GRE Analytical Writing Score for Civil and Environmental Engineering MS Programs:
The average Analytical Writing score for Engineering programs falls at 3.5 out of a possible 6.
Prepare for this section by familiarizing yourself with the format of the essay, and go through the sample prompts available on the official ETS website. That should suffice to get an upwards of 3.5 in your GRE Analytical Writing section.
With a little practice and a head start, you will be able to get 3+ in your Analytical Writing section!
TOP 10 US Civil and Environmental Engineering Master’s Programs that require GRE scores:
| UNIVERSITY | GRE SCORES |
| UC, Berkeley | Average 150+ Verbal, 160+ Quantitative, 4+ Analytical Writing |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Minimum 155 Quantitative |
| University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Average 155 Verbal, 165 Quantitative, 4 Analytical Writing |
| University of Michigan, Ann-Arbor | Average 156 Verbal, 165 Quantitative, 3.8 Analytical Writing |
| University of California, Davis | Average 153 Verbal, 163 Quantitative, 3.8 Analytical Writing |
| Arizona State University | Minimum 155 Quantitative |
| Clemson University | Average 149 Verbal, 161 Quantitative |
| Cleveland State University | Minimum 154 Quantitative |
| City College of New York | Minimum 151 Verbal, 154 Quantitative |
| Florida A&M University | Minimum 144 Verbal, 153 Quantitative |
Conclusion:
Thus, the ideal GRE score for an average Civil and Environmental Engineering program is 318, while, for top-tier Civil and Environmental Engineering programs, we see an average of 165 in the Quantitative section.
In conclusion, as an Engineering program applicant, focus more of your energy and effort on preparing for the Quantitative Reasoning section, while also leaving enough room to prepare for both Verbal and Analytical Reasoning sections without worrying about either too much. Good luck!
