Finding the Best Value Construction Engineering School for You
The right construction engineering school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Construction Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Construction Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Engineering Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among construction engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $20,115. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for construction engineering. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $76,966. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Construction Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $21,842. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $74,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At El Paso one of the best values for construction engineering. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $19,819. Construction Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Lamar University placed #6 among the best values for construction engineering. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the construction engineering program here. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #7 for value in construction engineering this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $21,632. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $73,224. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the construction engineering program here. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #9 position for value in construction engineering this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $25,147. Construction Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $76,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Delaware came in at #10 for value in construction engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $24,861. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $54,155. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #11 position for value in construction engineering this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock landed the #12 spot for construction engineering value this year. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,093 to complete the construction engineering program here. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $47,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Georgia Southern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University placed #14 among the best values for construction engineering. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $77,845. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University earned the #15 position for value in construction engineering this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the construction engineering program here. Construction Engineering graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #16 position for value in construction engineering this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $21,348. Construction Engineering graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $49,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Oregon State University placed #17 among the best values for construction engineering. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the construction engineering program here. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $80,936. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #18 position for value in construction engineering this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $26,774. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Texas Tech University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,098 to complete the construction engineering program here. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $75,421. Set against $24,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #20 spot for construction engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the construction engineering program here. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $44,776. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #21 for value in construction engineering this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $27,000. Construction Engineering graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $69,146 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,305 to complete the construction engineering program here. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $52,909. That is a strong return on a $24,305 median debt. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina admits about 23% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama placed #23 among the best values for construction engineering. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #24 for value in construction engineering this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $25,480. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $71,751. Set against $25,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #25 position for value in construction engineering this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $26,698 to complete the construction engineering program here. Construction Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $82,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Construction Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in construction engineering:
Narrow Construction Engineering Schools by Region
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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
[Construction Engineering](/majors/engineering/construction-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
