2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Construction Engineering bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 56 colleges 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.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat National University this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,548. Set against $30,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full National University profile
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #2 on this year's best-value Construction Engineering ranking in the United States. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,203 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 95%. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
You'll get strong value at Lamar University, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Beaumont, TX, Lamar University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Lamar University Construction Engineering students take on a median of $26,988 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,652 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%. More on Lamar University
A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values in the United States. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
Out of the 56 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Iowa State University landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,386 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Iowa State University report
Georgia Southern University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Based in Statesboro, GA, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,236. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants. More on Georgia Southern University
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical Construction Engineering student debt is $22,386. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,887 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. North Carolina State University At Raleigh Construction Engineering students take on a median of $25,147 in debt. Median earnings reach $68,758 ten years out. Set against $25,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Arizona State University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,668 ten years after entry. 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
Texas Tech University landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Texas Tech University Construction Engineering students take on a median of $24,098 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
Kennesaw State University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Kennesaw, GA, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $57,552 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Kennesaw State University report
Oregon State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. Oregon State University is a public school based in Corvallis, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $64,010 ten years out. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University has an acceptance rate of 77%. More on Oregon State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $26,698 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 55% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
University Of Delaware offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Delaware
The University Of Alabama placed #15 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. The University Of Alabama is a public school based in Tuscaloosa, AL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. The median Construction Engineering program debt is $24,496. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants. More on The University Of Alabama
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Little Rock, AR, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,093 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,265. That is a strong return on a $27,093 median debt. About 59% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Arkansas At Little Rock report
Marquette University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. Typical Construction Engineering student debt is $24,122. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $78,257. That is a strong return on a $24,122 median debt. Marquette University has an acceptance rate of 81%. More on Marquette University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,480 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $54,810 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,480 median debt. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Utah ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,170. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants. See the full University Of Utah profile
The University Of Texas At Arlington offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. The median Construction Engineering program debt is $21,632. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,199 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted. Get the full The University Of Texas At Arlington report
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Located in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Charleston, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Typical Construction Engineering student debt is $24,305. Median earnings reach $72,085 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina has an acceptance rate of 23%. Read the full report on Citadel Military College Of South Carolina
California Baptist University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Riverside, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Typical Construction Engineering student debt is $28,169. Median earnings reach $61,504 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $28,169 median debt. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants. Read the full report on California Baptist University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #24 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public school based in Honolulu, HI. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,186, 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,624 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public school based in El Paso, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Median earnings reach $50,923 ten years out. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 100% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full The University Of Texas At El Paso report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Construction Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
New York University placed #26 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete their Construction Engineering program here. 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. New York University has an acceptance rate of 9%. Read more about New York University
Stark State College placed #27 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Stark State College profile
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full The University Of Texas At Tyler report
Lawrence Technological University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. See the full Lawrence Technological University profile
Bradley University landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Bradley University
Washington University In St Louis landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
New York Institute Of Technology ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. More on New York Institute Of Technology
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. More on Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry
University Of Illinois At Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. See the full University Of Illinois At Chicago profile
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Kent State University At Kent came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Kent State University At Kent
University Of Southern California landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Southern California
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #38 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Manhattan College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. More on Manhattan College
University Of Miami offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Get the full University Of Miami report
Clemson University offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Get the full Clemson University report
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
University Of Maine came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Maine
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. Read more about Stevens Institute Of Technology
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering schools. See the full Texas A And M University Commerce profile
University Of Alabama At Birmingham offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
University Of Arizona placed #48 among the best-value Construction Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. See the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College profile
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Colorado Denver report
Related Construction Engineering Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Construction Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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