2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Construction Engineering Schools
Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering schools in the United States. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the construction engineering program here. Construction Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $76,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Students looking for strong value in construction engineering will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #2. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the construction engineering program here. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $74,445. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #3 place for construction engineering. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lamar University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $26,988. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Arlington earned it the #5 place for construction engineering. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Construction Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $72,613 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for construction engineering value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. 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 placed #7 among the best values for construction engineering. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering schools. Set in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,911, while out-of-state students pay about $22,721. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock generally make around $47,170. That is a strong return on a $27,093 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Georgia Southern University earned the #9 position for value in construction engineering this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University came in at #10 for value in construction engineering this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $77,845. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University placed #11 among the best values for construction engineering. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $27,004. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Oregon State University landed the #12 spot for construction engineering value this year. 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. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $80,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University ranked #13 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. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $24,098. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $75,421. That is a strong return on a $24,098 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #14 position for value in construction engineering 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. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Construction Engineering graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for construction engineering value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the construction engineering program here. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $69,146. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina ranked #16 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. Students from in state pay about $12,570 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,305 in student loans. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $52,909. That is a strong return on a $24,305 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.
The University Of Alabama earned the #17 position for value in construction engineering this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the construction engineering program here. 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 ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $25,480. Construction Engineering graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $71,751 early in their careers. 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 ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $26,698. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $82,627. Set against $26,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Bradley University placed #20 among the best values for construction engineering. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $26,380. Construction Engineering graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $71,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
California Baptist University came in at #21 for value in construction engineering this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $51,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
Marquette University earned the #22 position for value in construction engineering this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $24,122. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $60,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Other Construction Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Construction Engineering rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 19 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/) 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.
