2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Schools
Looking for the best-value Construction Engineering programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 56 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Construction Engineering Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
National University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. National University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. National University alumni report median earnings of $67,548 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on National University
Out of the 56 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #2 spot. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school based in Fargo, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical Construction Engineering student debt is $25,153. North Dakota State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $62,203 a decade after entry. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
Out of the 56 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Lawrence Technological University landed the #3 spot. Set in Southfield, MI, Lawrence Technological University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,760 in tuition and fees. Typical Construction Engineering student debt is $27,799. Lawrence Technological University alumni report median earnings of $69,151 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lawrence Technological University has an acceptance rate of 56%. More on Lawrence Technological University
You'll get strong value at Lamar University, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Beaumont, TX, Lamar University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,652. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Lamar University
Out of the 56 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Purdue University Main Campus landed the #5 spot. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. The median Construction Engineering program debt is $24,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,424 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 50%. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Nebraska Lincoln offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Construction Engineering students take on a median of $22,386 in debt. Median earnings reach $56,887 ten years out. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Iowa State University placed #7 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read more about Iowa State University
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. Set in Rapid City, SD, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology Construction Engineering students take on a median of $26,668 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,257 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology admits about 80% of applicants. See the full South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology profile
Georgia Southern University placed #9 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Statesboro, GA, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,236 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants. See the full Georgia Southern University profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,147 in student loans. North Carolina State University At Raleigh alumni report median earnings of $68,758 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh has an acceptance rate of 42%. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Texas Tech University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. The median Construction Engineering program debt is $24,098. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,454. That is a strong return on a $24,098 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%. Read more about Texas Tech University
Arizona State University came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Median earnings reach $62,668 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Read more about Arizona State University
Kennesaw State University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Located in Kennesaw, GA, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted. See the full Kennesaw State University profile
Oregon State University landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Oregon State University Construction Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,010 ten years after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%. Get the full Oregon State University report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #15 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Construction Engineering students take on a median of $26,698 in debt. Median earnings reach $81,698 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
University Of Delaware offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. University Of Delaware Construction Engineering students take on a median of $24,861 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,950. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Delaware
The University Of Alabama landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. The median Construction Engineering program debt is $24,496. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,221 ten years after entry. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. Get the full The University Of Alabama report
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #18 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Typical Construction Engineering student debt is $26,774. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,592. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Illinois Institute Of Technology has an acceptance rate of 55%. See the full Illinois Institute Of Technology profile
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #19 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,289. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Little Rock, AR, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,911, while out-of-state students pay about $22,721. Typical Construction Engineering student debt is $27,093. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,265 ten years after entry. Set against $27,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas At Little Rock
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. This public school is set in Albuquerque, NM. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. Median earnings reach $44,792 ten years out. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%. Get the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus report
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Arlington, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical Construction Engineering student debt is $21,632. Median earnings reach $63,199 ten years out. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%. Read more about The University Of Texas At Arlington
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. The median Construction Engineering program debt is $23,529. Median earnings reach $114,862 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Marquette University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Students borrow a median of $24,122 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $78,257. That is a strong return on a $24,122 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Marquette University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. The median Construction Engineering program debt is $25,480. Median earnings reach $54,810 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,480 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 85%. More on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Construction Engineering Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of Utah offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. The median Construction Engineering program debt is $20,798. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,170. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants. See the full University Of Utah profile
Stevens Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hoboken, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $63,462. The median Construction Engineering program debt is $26,767. Median earnings reach $108,772 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,767 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%. More on Stevens Institute Of Technology
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. Based in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. The median Construction Engineering program debt is $27,000. Bowling Green State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $47,896 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 81% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Bowling Green State University Main Campus report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Construction Engineering students take on a median of $19,137 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $83,648. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor has an acceptance rate of 16%. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
New York University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. New York University Construction Engineering students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,509 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%. Get the full New York University report
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public school based in Charleston, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $12,570, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. The median Construction Engineering program debt is $24,305. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina alumni report median earnings of $72,085 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 23% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Citadel Military College Of South Carolina report
Washington University In St Louis landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. The median Construction Engineering program debt is $17,553. Median earnings reach $86,182 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 12% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #32 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical Construction Engineering student debt is $20,115. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,740. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%. More on University Of Illinois At Chicago
California Baptist University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Riverside, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,228. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $61,504 ten years out. Set against $28,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full California Baptist University report
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #36 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. University Of Hawaii At Manoa Construction Engineering students take on a median of $20,577 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,624. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa has an acceptance rate of 87%. Get the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa report
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. Set in El Paso, TX, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At El Paso Construction Engineering students take on a median of $19,819 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted. See the full The University Of Texas At El Paso profile
University Of Miami ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. Located in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $75,328 ten years out. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Miami
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #38 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Southern California placed #39 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. More on University Of Southern California
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. More on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
University Of Nevada Las Vegas offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Get the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas report
New York Institute Of Technology came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. More on New York Institute Of Technology
Manhattan College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Manhattan College
Clemson University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. Read more about Clemson University
Kent State University At Kent offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read the full report on Kent State University At Kent
University Of Maine offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. See the full University Of Maine profile
Southern New Hampshire University came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Southern New Hampshire University
Bradley University came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. More on Bradley University
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Colorado Denver report
Clarkson University came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Clarkson University
Best Value Construction Engineering Schools by Degree Level
See the best values at each degree level:
- Best Value Construction Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 56 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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