Best colleges for Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 120 U.S. colleges offering Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 44 states.
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $58,970 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 15.02 and the Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs
The Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians program prepares students for a career in the engineering field, focusing on the application of scientific theories and mathematical methods to design and analyze technological solutions. This program is ideal for individuals interested in the construction and infrastructure sectors, where they can contribute to the development of safe and efficient structures and systems.
Learn more about Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians →
Students in this program will gain core skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and reading comprehension, alongside knowledge in engineering and technology, building and construction, and design. Coursework typically includes drafting detailed drawings, analyzing site factors, and reviewing project blueprints to ensure compliance with specifications.
Top 11 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,552 | 20 | 69% | — | $23,183 |
| 2 | Murray State University Murray, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,970 | 31 | 61% | — | $22,500 |
| 3 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MD Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $68,809 | 7 | 35% | — | — |
| 4 | Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $62,138 | 9 | 40% | — | $28,000 |
| 5 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NY Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $62,090 | 18 | 55% | — | $22,934 |
| 6 | SUNY College of Technology at Canton Canton, NY Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $59,793 | 14 | 38% | — | — |
| 7 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $58,752 | 5 | 53% | — | $27,000 |
| 8 | Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $57,772 | 18 | 50% | — | $29,500 |
| 9 | Fairmont State University Fairmont, WV Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $57,570 | 15 | 44% | — | — |
| 10 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $54,677 | 16 | 32% | — | $31,998 |
| 11 | Savannah State University Savannah, GA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $51,654 | 15 | 28% | — | $31,000 |
Top 3 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpena Community College Alpena, MI Public · Associate degree Small program | $60,063 | 10 | 52% | — | — |
| 2 | South Central College North Mankato, MN Public · Associate degree Small program | $55,224 | 10 | 39% | — | $13,268 |
| 3 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OH Public · Associate degree | $50,612 | 25 | 16% | — | $20,721 |
Specializations within Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 15.02 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 44 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3022, Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians program can expect a career outlook that is about as fast as average, with an estimated 5,500 annual job openings. The median wage for this field is approximately $64,200, and a typical education requirement is an associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 15.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 15.02 (Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians) maps to 2 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 17-3022 | Civil Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary |
| 53-6041 | Traffic Technicians |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Calculate dimensions, square footage, profile and component specifications, and material quantities, using calculator or computer.
- Read and review project blueprints and structural specifications to determine dimensions of structure or system and material requirements.
- Draft detailed dimensional drawings and design layouts for projects to ensure conformance to specifications.
- Confer with supervisor to determine project details such as plan preparation, acceptance testing, and evaluation of field conditions.
- Analyze proposed site factors and design maps, graphs, tracings, and diagrams to illustrate findings.
- Prepare reports and document project activities and data.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians program?+
The program focuses on applying scientific theories and mathematical methods to design and analyze technological solutions in civil engineering.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, reading comprehension, and active listening, among others.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with around 5,500 annual openings in the field.
What is the typical education requirement for this field?+
A typical education requirement is an associate's degree.
How much do Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?+
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $58,970, College Scorecard (2019); the Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation pays about $68,990 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians?+
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians maps to CIP 15.02 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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