<p>I would not restrict your list to in-state publics. Lafayette (for example) guarantees to meet full demonstrated need: [Apply</a> for Financial Aid Tuition & Aid Lafayette College](<a href=“http://finaid.lafayette.edu/apply-for-financial-aid/]Apply”>http://finaid.lafayette.edu/apply-for-financial-aid/) This could make it more affordable than a public. Penn State (for example) is not known for generous FA packages.</p>
<p>Here is the entering class profile at Lafayette so you can judge for yourself what kind of stats you need: [Entering</a> Class Profile About Lafayette College](<a href=“http://www.lafayette.edu/about/lafayette-at-a-glance/entering-class-profile/]Entering”>http://www.lafayette.edu/about/lafayette-at-a-glance/entering-class-profile/)</p>
<p>Although Lafayette graduates only a fraction of the number of graduates of Penn State or Virginia Tech, I can assure you that they are very well qualified. There are plenty of grads working in civil engineering (including some very well known ones) in eastern PA, NJ and NY metro area.
[Program</a> Division of Engineering Lafayette College](<a href=“http://engineering.lafayette.edu/program/]Program”>Programs · Engineering · Lafayette College)</p>