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Best Value Construction Engineering Technologies Colleges

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

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates earn $82,780 annually while paying just $15,624 in net costs, creating the strongest return on investment among construction engineering technology programs nationwide. The earnings gap between top and bottom performers spans over $30,000, with CUNY NYC College of Technology offering the lowest net price at $4,783 but generating $59,937 in graduate earnings. Public universities dominate this field, reflecting the practical nature of construction technology education that emphasizes hands-on learning over expensive facilities. The construction industry employs over 7.6 million Americans, with technology specialists commanding premium salaries as building projects grow increasingly complex through automation and sustainable design requirements. California State schools claim four of the top value positions, benefiting from the state's massive construction sector that includes everything from Silicon Valley office complexes to Los Angeles infrastructure projects.
50
Programs
$4,783 – $28,163
Net Price Range
$64,025
Avg. Program Earnings
58.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Construction Engineering Technologies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,783 $59,937 $7,332 19.4% 81.8%
2 $6,351 $71,644 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
3 $6,480 $69,338 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
4 $7,599 $75,204 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
5 $8,931 $81,175 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
6 $9,133 $67,101 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
7 $11,580 $77,329 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
8 $9,173 $58,221 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
9 $10,353 $64,990 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
10 $10,916 $63,005 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
11 $15,624 $82,780 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
12 $14,352 $69,338 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
13 $13,696 $65,979 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
14 $13,853 $66,060 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
15 $12,579 $58,221 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
16 $16,174 $72,231 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
17 $11,513 $51,106 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
18 $12,209 $53,108 $10,125 57.6% 62.4%
19 $15,331 $63,997 $9,712 41.5% 81.8%
20 $17,485 $72,796 $13,304 50.8% 70.6%
21 $16,438 $67,660 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
22 $14,745 $58,943 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
23 $12,638 $50,439 $9,800 39.8%
24 $14,981 $59,350 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
25 $16,531 $64,608 $5,905 52.1% 88.9%
26 $15,847 $61,814 $5,785 51.9% 32.9%
27 $16,378 $63,855 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
28 $16,025 $60,128 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
29 $16,041 $58,673 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
30 $20,332 $71,015 $12,896 66.9% 90.8%
31 $17,424 $60,523 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
32 $17,883 $62,012 $10,942 70.5% 95.1%
33 $17,460 $60,399 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%
34 $16,136 $55,512 $8,455 41.4% 61.5%
35 $20,924 $69,757 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
36 $14,041 $46,478 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
37 $20,751 $68,422 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
38 $18,219 $56,776 $9,299 59.6% 86.1%
39 $20,918 $65,131 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
40 $20,593 $63,997 $8,083 57.3% 73.3%
41 $18,045 $55,964 $12,606 56.4% 94.0%
42 $22,112 $15,554 87.9% 43.0%
43 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
44 $28,163 $45,683 68.2% 88.9%
45 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
46 $11,432 $6,770 59.0% 83.9%
47 $12,973 $9,910 32.7% 89.5%
48 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
49 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
50 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Cal Poly San Luis Obispo worth its $15,624 net cost compared to cheaper alternatives?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates earn $82,780 annually, representing a $23,443 premium over the average program graduate. The school maintains an 85.20% graduation rate, nearly double that of many competitors. Despite higher upfront costs, the lifetime earnings advantage justifies the investment for students who complete the program successfully.

How do California State University campuses compare in construction engineering technology value?

Four CSU campuses rank among the top value programs, with Long Beach leading at $81,175 in graduate earnings for $8,931 net cost. Northridge follows closely at $75,204 earnings for $7,599 cost, while Fresno offers $69,338 earnings at just $6,480 net price. Cal Poly Pomona provides strong mid-range value at $77,329 earnings for $11,580 in costs.

Is the $30,000+ earnings gap between programs worth considering when choosing schools?

Graduate earnings range from $51,106 to $82,780, creating significant long-term financial differences between programs. A $20,000 annual salary advantage compounds to over $600,000 across a 30-year career. However, students must balance this against completion rates, as some high-earning programs have graduation rates below 60%.

Does attending University of Florida justify its competitive 23.35% acceptance rate for construction technology?

UF graduates earn $71,644 annually while paying only $6,351 in net costs, creating strong value despite selective admissions. The program maintains a 91.50% graduation rate, nearly guaranteeing degree completion for admitted students. Low student debt averaging $14,869 makes UF particularly attractive for cost-conscious students who gain admission.

Where can students find the lowest-cost construction engineering technology education?

CUNY NYC College of Technology offers the lowest net price at $4,783, making it accessible to students with limited financial resources. In-state students pay just $7,332 in tuition while accessing New York's construction job market. However, the 19.40% graduation rate requires careful consideration of academic preparation and commitment levels before enrollment.

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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.