by our College Data Analytics Team
[Construction Engineering](/majors/engineering/construction-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find where construction engineering graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send construction engineering graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Oregon State University, our #1 for construction engineering graduate salaries in the United States. Oregon State University is a public school located in the city of Corvallis. Students who complete the construction engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $106,199.
Students chasing top earnings in construction engineering will find them at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. After graduating, construction engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University typically earn about $96,832 annually.
Texas Tech University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in construction engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Construction Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of about $102,183 a year early in their careers.
Iowa State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in construction engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Iowa State University is a public school located in the city of Ames. After graduating, construction engineering degree recipients from Iowa State University typically earn about $95,401 annually.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying construction engineering schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, construction engineering degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus typically earn about $90,467 annually.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for construction engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the construction engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,966.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying construction engineering schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Students who complete the construction engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,574.
Arizona State University earned the #8 position for construction engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. Early-career construction engineering graduates from Arizona State University make a median of around $74,445 per year.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for construction engineering. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. Construction Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of about $72,613 a year early in their careers.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #10 spot for construction engineering salaries this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, construction engineering degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus typically earn about $71,751 annually.
Bradley University earned the #11 position for construction engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the construction engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,053.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #12 spot for construction engineering salaries this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a public institution. After graduating, construction engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce typically earn about $70,457 annually.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Construction Engineering rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their construction engineering graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 12 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.