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Best Value Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Civil engineering technology programs reveal striking value differences across the country, with net costs ranging from $8,683 at Savannah State University to $34,170 at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Public institutions dominate the affordable end of this spectrum, though Wentworth graduates command the highest earnings at $69,338 annually. The field connects directly to America's infrastructure demands, as civil engineering technicians support projects from highway systems to water treatment facilities across growing metropolitan areas. Graduation rates vary significantly, from 25.2% at Savannah State to 84.3% at University of Pittsburgh's main campus. Most programs accept over 80% of applicants, making entry accessible for students ready to enter a field where median debt loads typically fall between $17,104 and $30,717. These technician roles fill critical gaps in engineering teams, particularly as states invest in infrastructure modernization projects that require skilled support staff for design, testing, and project management tasks.
35
Programs
$8,683 – $36,906
Net Price Range
$57,820
Avg. Program Earnings
50.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

35 Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $9,055 $57,318 $8,454 48.3% 98.5%
2 $9,121 $55,964 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
3 $8,683 $50,606 $5,498 25.2%
4 $11,877 $55,512 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
5 $12,948 $57,318 $9,401 38.0% 98.8%
6 $14,035 $61,516 $8,898 34.6% 81.6%
7 $13,882 $60,523 $8,578 59.2% 81.7%
8 $14,294 $57,770 $10,780 29.9% 97.9%
9 $14,623 $57,318 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
10 $14,745 $57,318 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
11 $18,952 $58,221 $14,646 53.4% 97.4%
12 $26,084 $52,941 $17,940 50.4%
13 $34,170 $69,338 $41,010 68.6% 92.3%
14 $29,219 $58,221 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
15 $30,074 $58,221 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
16 $29,694 $57,017 $57,016 70.8% 67.2%
17 $16,972 $5,786 48.1% 67.9%
18 $24,791 $38,160 59.6% 82.1%
19 $36,906 $35,625 57.5% 74.5%
20 $18,268 $11,060 29.4% 83.9%
21 $19,734 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
22 $12,529 $10,240 34.6% 97.2%
23 $11,588 $5,774 42.2%
24 $17,460 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%
25 $9,173 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
26 $15,001 $8,689 44.1% 94.9%
27 $15,266 $35,822 61.7% 84.1%
28 $17,424 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
29 $14,164 $6,269 42.3%
30 $12,484 $9,290 22.1%
31 $18,627 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
32 $18,045 $12,606 56.4% 94.0%
33 $12,188 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
34 $17,324 $8,356 38.3%
35 $16,531 $5,905 52.1% 88.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $25,000+ cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Public institutions like Savannah State University ($8,683 net cost) and Fairmont State ($9,055) offer significantly lower costs than private schools like Wentworth Institute ($34,170). In-state tuition at public schools ranges from $5,498 to $22,082, while Wentworth charges $41,010 regardless of residency. However, Wentworth graduates earn $69,338 compared to $50,606 for Savannah State graduates. The higher private school investment often pays off through stronger industry connections and placement rates in major metropolitan markets.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs and outcomes?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, with University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus achieving 84.3% graduation at $30,074 net cost. Meanwhile, Savannah State's 25.2% rate reflects challenges at lower-cost institutions. Mid-range schools like UNC Charlotte balance affordability ($14,745 net) with solid 67.7% graduation rates. SUNY Polytechnic demonstrates an exception, combining reasonable costs ($13,882) with strong 59.2% completion and $60,523 earnings.

Is there a regional advantage for civil engineering technology graduates?

Programs in major infrastructure hubs often show higher earnings potential, with Boston-area Wentworth leading at $69,338 annually. University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduates earn $61,516, benefiting from proximity to Washington D.C. area federal projects. Even affordable programs in smaller markets like Murray State ($9,121 net cost) produce graduates earning $55,964. The field's geographic flexibility allows technicians to follow construction booms and infrastructure investments across different regions.

Does acceptance rate indicate program selectivity or accessibility?

Most civil engineering technology programs maintain high acceptance rates, with Colorado State Pueblo accepting 98.79% of applicants and Fairmont State at 98.49%. Only University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus shows selectivity at 49.14% acceptance, corresponding to its higher graduation rate of 84.3%. These open admission policies reflect industry demand for skilled technicians. Programs focus more on supporting students through completion than limiting entry, given the field's strong job market.

What debt levels should students expect from these programs?

Debt loads vary considerably, from $17,104 at SUNY Polytechnic to $30,717 at Savannah State University. Murray State graduates carry $22,250 in debt while earning $55,964, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios. Pennsylvania College of Technology students graduate with $26,375 debt for $52,941 earnings. Most programs keep debt manageable relative to technician starting salaries, which typically range from $50,000 to $60,000 annually across different markets.

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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.