2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Schools in the Far Western Region

[Construction Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/construction-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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for construction engineering technology students.
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2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction engineering technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Schools
Leading the list is Grays Harbor College, our #1 best value for construction engineering technology in the Far Western Region. Located in the rural area of Aberdeen, Grays Harbor College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,593 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,553 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,524 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from Grays Harbor College generally make around $46,018. That is a strong return on a $12,524 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for construction engineering technology. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $12,985 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $78,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Spokane Community College earned it the #3 place for construction engineering technology. Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Construction Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,486 in student loans. Early-career construction engineering technology graduates make about $39,679. Set against $16,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Honolulu Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering technology schools. Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,174, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Construction Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. That is a strong return on a $10,868 median debt.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction engineering technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $79,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach landed the #6 spot for construction engineering technology value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $17,866. Early-career construction engineering technology graduates make about $89,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #7 for value in construction engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $17,492. Early-career construction engineering technology graduates make about $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Portland Community College earned the #8 position for value in construction engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Construction Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $20,648 in student loans. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of Portland Community College earn a median of $49,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #9 spot for construction engineering technology value this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $16,067 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Early-career construction engineering technology graduates make about $87,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Washington State University earned the #10 position for value in construction engineering technology this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Construction Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $28,550 in student loans. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $80,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,550 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico placed #11 among the best values for construction engineering technology. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Construction Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $21,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $88,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
San Diego State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering technology schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Construction Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $81,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.