Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians Colleges Under $20,000

Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs under $20,000 reveal striking disparities in both costs and outcomes across the nation. Savannah State University delivers the lowest net price at just $8,683, while graduates from University of Maryland Eastern Shore command the highest earnings at $61,516 annually. The infrastructure boom driving America's federal investment in roads, bridges, and utilities creates strong demand for technicians who can bridge the gap between engineering theory and hands-on construction management. SUNY Polytechnic Institute stands out with a rare combination of strong graduation rates at 59.2% and graduates who earn $60,523 while carrying minimal debt of $17,104. However, completion rates vary dramatically across these affordable programs, ranging from Lincoln University's concerning 22.1% to Murray State's solid 59.5%. Students considering this field should note that civil engineering technicians typically work alongside professional engineers in consulting firms, government agencies, and construction companies, making program quality and regional industry connections important factors beyond just affordability.

Programs

$8,683 – $19,734

Net Price Range

$57,217

Avg. Program Earnings

45.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

28 Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Savannah State University Savannah, Georgia	$8,683	$5,498	25.2%
2	Fairmont State University Fairmont, West Virginia	$9,055	$8,454	48.3%	98.5%
3	Murray State University Murray, Kentucky	$9,121	$9,708	59.5%	84.0%
4	Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, New York	$9,173	$8,576	57.1%	73.2%
5	Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Okmulgee, Oklahoma	$11,588	$5,774	42.2%
6	Youngstown State University Youngstown, Ohio	$11,877	$10,791	52.9%	80.6%
7	Indiana State University Terre Haute, Indiana	$12,188	$9,992	41.1%	92.3%
8	Lincoln University Jefferson City, Missouri	$12,484	$9,290	22.1%
9	Bluefield State University Bluefield, West Virginia	$12,529	$10,240	34.6%	97.2%
10	Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, Colorado	$12,948	$9,401	38.0%	98.8%
11	SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, New York	$13,882	$8,578	59.2%	81.7%
12	University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, Maryland	$14,035	$8,898	34.6%	81.6%
13	Montana State University-Northern Havre, Montana	$14,164	$6,269	42.3%
14	Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$14,294	$10,780	29.9%	97.9%
15	University of Houston-Downtown Houston, Texas	$14,623	$7,708	33.8%	88.4%
16	University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina	$14,745	$7,214	67.7%	79.6%
17	SUNY College of Technology at Canton Canton, New York	$15,001	$8,689	44.1%	94.9%
18	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, New Jersey	$15,266	$35,822	61.7%	84.1%
19	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia	$16,531	$5,905	52.1%	88.9%
20	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia	$16,972	$5,786	48.1%	67.9%
21	Idaho State University Pocatello, Idaho	$17,324	$8,356	38.3%
22	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$17,424	$10,108	65.8%	78.6%
23	University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio	$17,460	$12,377	55.6%	92.2%
24	University of Maine Orono, Maine	$18,045	$12,606	56.4%	94.0%
25	South Carolina State University Orangeburg, South Carolina	$18,268	$11,060	29.4%	83.9%
26	University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, Massachusetts	$18,627	$16,570	70.1%	86.0%
27	University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Johnstown, Pennsylvania	$18,952	$14,646	53.4%	97.4%
28	Texas Southern University Houston, Texas	$19,734	$9,173	19.9%	96.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes SUNY Polytechnic Institute worth the $13,882 net cost for civil engineering technology?

SUNY Polytechnic graduates earn $60,523 annually while carrying just $17,104 in debt, creating one of the best return-on-investment ratios among affordable programs. The school maintains a 59.2% graduation rate, significantly higher than many competitors in this price range. Students benefit from New York's extensive infrastructure projects and proximity to major engineering firms.

How do graduation rates compare among the most affordable civil engineering technology programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 22.1% at Lincoln University to 59.5% at Murray State University, despite similar net costs around $9,000 to $12,000. Farmingdale State College achieves a strong 57.1% completion rate at just $9,173 net cost. Schools with rates below 35% like Bluefield State (34.6%) and Metropolitan State Denver (29.9%) may indicate program challenges despite their affordability.

Is University of Maryland Eastern Shore worth considering despite the $14,035 net cost?

Eastern Shore graduates earn the highest salaries at $61,516 annually, which is $11,000 more than the lowest-earning program graduates. However, the school's 34.6% graduation rate raises concerns about program completion. The higher earnings may reflect Maryland's proximity to major infrastructure projects around Washington D.C. and Baltimore, where civil engineering technicians command premium wages.

What explains the wide range in student debt levels across these affordable programs?

Student debt varies from SUNY Polytechnic's low $17,104 to Savannah State's concerning $30,717, despite similar net prices. Murray State maintains reasonable debt at $22,250 while offering strong graduation rates and earnings of $55,964. Schools with higher debt levels may indicate students are taking longer to complete programs or relying more heavily on loans rather than grants and scholarships.

Does acceptance rate indicate program quality for civil engineering technology schools?

Most programs maintain high acceptance rates between 80-98%, suggesting they prioritize access over selectivity. Fairmont State accepts 98.49% of applicants but achieves a respectable 48.3% graduation rate and $57,318 in graduate earnings. The near-universal acceptance at schools like Colorado State Pueblo (98.79%) reflects the technical workforce shortage rather than program quality issues.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.