[Construction Engineering](/majors/engineering/construction-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong construction engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for construction engineering students.
Finding the Best Value Construction Engineering School for You
The construction engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Construction Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Construction Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value construction engineering schools in the United States. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in construction engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Lamar University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value construction engineering schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Construction Engineering graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for construction engineering. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $74,445. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #6 position for value in construction engineering this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the construction engineering program here. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $73,224. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Stark State College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value construction engineering schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $17,349. Construction Engineering 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.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #8 position for value in construction engineering this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $51,799. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Kennesaw State University earned the #9 position for value in construction engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the construction engineering program here. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $53,824. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #10 among the best values for construction engineering. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the construction engineering program here. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $70,457. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University placed #11 among the best values for construction engineering. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Construction Engineering graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #12 position for value in construction engineering this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $25,147 to complete the construction engineering program here. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $76,574. That is a strong return on a $25,147 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Delaware ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value construction engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $24,861. Construction Engineering graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University landed the #14 spot for construction engineering value this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, 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. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #15 for value in construction engineering this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $49,755. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #16 position for value in construction engineering this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #17 for value in construction engineering this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the construction engineering program here. Construction Engineering graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $49,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas Tech University landed the #18 spot for construction engineering value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,098 in student loans. Construction Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $75,421 early in their careers. Set against $24,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Oregon State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value construction engineering schools. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Construction Engineering graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $80,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earned the #20 position for value in construction engineering this year. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,500, with out-of-state students paying around $14,900. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $26,668. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $75,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina placed #21 among the best values for construction engineering. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,570 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. Students borrow a median of $24,305 to complete the construction engineering program here. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina generally make around $52,909. Set against $24,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%.
The University Of Alabama ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value construction engineering schools. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #23 spot for construction engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $25,174. Construction Engineering graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bradley University came in at #24 for value in construction engineering this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete the construction engineering program here. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $71,053. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #25 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, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,698 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $82,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Construction Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s construction engineering value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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).
[Construction Engineering](/majors/engineering/construction-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong construction engineering education at a price that pays off.
