Would a master’s still take 1 year even if I don’t do a 5 year program? The answers I’m finding to this are conflicting. I thought it would be better to do it in 5 years, and the master’s would mean higher earning potential also (I’m open to suggestions because I’m not really sure what I’m doing 
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I think that’s a decision years away. But for picking schools, you need to include it for budgeting purposes.
Iowa States program did not require you to do undergrad at Iowa State. But perhaps the UMBC degree would have given as it’s not the same major.
if you divide your budget for four undergrad and a masters - which will cost more - you’ll eliminate most risk. So if you have $200k target $150k. And no loans.
Loans take away freedoms later - like freedom to choose. A lot of this years grads will be working fast food and retail - just to keep pace with loans - that is if they can get those jobs.
My husband is a career engineer. His OPINION…get your bachelors and work for a few years. You don’t need your masters to get a job in civil engineering. Better to get some decent work experience…and maybe get your PE license.
Then decide IF you want to get a masters at all. And if so, in what. Some engineering get MBAs or something in management. Some never get a masters at all.
My husband’s firm hired all entry level engineers at the same salary (didn’t matter if they had a masters) because they had no work experience, and needed to be employed to learn much about the work on the job.
I’m really not sure why you think you need a masters degree added right on to your undergrad studies.
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This. My D has the same job title and salary as someone with a PhD at her company.
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In fairness to OP, going straight through to a Masters isn’t unusual. At Purdue, per their career placement report, 25% are pursuing further education (presumably but not necessarily a Masters in CivE. At Cornell, 59% of CivEs are furthering their education, well over half. At UCONN, 12% were contnuing education. At UMD, 13% were pursuing grad school.
So to me, it’s not unreasonable for OP to want to pursue a Masters after the four years.
Statistically they won’t but if they did, it wouldn’t be unusual and hence should budget this way.
Only if undertaken after a period of 2-5 years working as an engineer, the idea being to find a specialty needed at your company that requires narrower, more advanced studies and develop it.
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The OP says that they plan to apply for CivE, but I don’t get a sense of total confidence that it will be their final choice of major:
I agree that CivE is unlikely to benefit from doing an immediate masters, but many schools have integrated first year engineering, with major selection after the first year; the OP may end up choosing a different engineering major (or switching, if they go to a non-FYE school). Grad school can matter more to some engineering areas… for example my S23 is interested in semiconductors and he is now being advised to plan for a masters or PhD.
@skylarblue how confident do you feel about CivE as your major and career path?
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And please…tell us why you think you need a masters immediately following your bachelors…with no work experience.
If you thought it was going to give you increased pay, I don’t think it will in the vast majority of civil engineering jobs.
I just want to add…you will get accepted to an ABET accredited civil engineering program that is affordable…if you have those on your list. And you do. One B isn’t going to jettison your application.
So to answer your question…yes, you are catastophizing.
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I think that their impact will go beyond the service academies. Being an Eagle Scout takes 4-5 years of dedication and consistent work with many merit badges and volunteer/service hours, not to mention the final project (kind of like college). Girls State is essentially a mini campus political setting that requires nomination by your HS to attend (not pay-to-play) and being successful in it (elected Mayor, etc.) shows that you function well in a group setting, show leadership and know how to work with your peers. These strongly demonstrate that you would be a good fit for a college campus, beyond your (great) academic stats.
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