2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Schools in California
[Construction Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/construction-engineering-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value construction engineering technology schools.
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2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Schools
Leading the list is California State University Fresno, our #1 best value for construction engineering technology in California. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $12,985. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $78,716 early in their careers. Set against $12,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #2 place for construction engineering technology. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $16,202. Early-career construction engineering technology graduates make about $79,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #3 place for construction engineering technology. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. 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.
Students looking for strong value in construction engineering technology will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #4. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes California State Polytechnic University Pomona one of the best values for construction engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $16,067 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $87,960 early in their careers. Set against $16,067 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico landed the #6 spot for construction engineering technology value this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Students borrow a median of $21,104 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $88,648 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,104 median debt. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
San Diego State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering technology schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $16,417. Early-career construction engineering technology graduates make about $81,608. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
