2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Civil Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/civil-engineering-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil engineering technology students.
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2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the civil engineering technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Civil Engineering Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked Stark State College the best value for a degree in civil engineering technology in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for civil engineering technology graduates is $17,349. Civil Engineering Technology graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering technology will find it at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College, which ranked #2. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Typical student debt for civil engineering technology graduates is $20,721. Civil Engineering Technology graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $50,612 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Moraine Park Technical College one of the best values for civil engineering technology. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,819, while out-of-state students pay about $7,084. Students borrow a median of $11,471 to complete the civil engineering technology program here. Early-career civil engineering technology graduates make about $39,552. Set against $11,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering technology will find it at Milwaukee Area Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Civil Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Civil Engineering Technology graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in civil engineering technology will find it at Youngstown State University, which ranked #5. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for civil engineering technology graduates is $29,500. Soon after graduation, civil engineering technology degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $57,772. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.