Best colleges for Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of civil engineers engaged in designing and executing public works projects such as highways, dams, bridges, tunnels and other facilities.
120 U.S. institutions graduated 1,293 Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0201, a specialization of Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.02), and leads most directly to the Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 17-3022).
About Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of civil engineers engaged in designing and executing public works projects such as highways, dams, bridges, tunnels and other facilities. Includes instruction in site analysis, structural testing procedures, field and laboratory testing procedures, plan and specification preparation, test equipment operation and maintenance, and report preparation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians program prepares students to support civil engineers in designing and executing public works projects, including highways, bridges, and tunnels. This program is ideal for individuals interested in applying engineering principles and technical skills to real-world infrastructure challenges.
Students in this program gain knowledge in site analysis, structural testing, plan preparation, and the operation of test equipment. Core skills developed include critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication, all essential for success in the engineering field.
Credentials awarded
What Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree686 graduates / yr · 92 institutions53%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year252 graduates / yr · 28 institutions20%
- Bachelor's degree232 graduates / yr · 18 institutions18%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years102 graduates / yr · 9 institutions7.9%
- Master's degree6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,896 |
| 2013 | 1,586 |
| 2014 | 1,466 |
| 2015 | 1,518 |
| 2016 | 1,437 |
| 2017 | 1,483 |
| 2018 | 1,520 |
| 2019 | 1,353 |
| 2020 | 1,341 |
| 2021 | 1,183 |
| 2022 | 1,154 |
| 2023 | 1,196 |
| 2024 | 1,131 |
| 2025 | 1,293 |
Top 50 institutions for Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 83 | 38% | — | — |
| 2 | Big Sandy Community and Technical College Prestonsburg, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 68 | 38% | — | — |
| 3 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 39 | 33% | — | — |
| 4 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NYPublicBachelor's | 37 | 53% | — | — |
| 5 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 38% | — | — |
| 6 | Fort Hays State University - Northwest Kansas Technical College Goodland, KSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 31 | 73% | — | — |
| 7 | Murray State University Murray, KYPublicBachelor's | 31 | 61% | — | $58,970 |
| 8 | State Technical College of Missouri Linn, MOPublicAssociate's | 30 | 84% | — | — |
| 9 | Northwest Mississippi Community College Senatobia, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 29 | 45% | — | — |
| 10 | Jones County Junior College Ellisville, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 26 | 41% | — | — |
| 11 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 16% | — | $50,612 |
| 12 | Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TNPublicAssociate's | 22 | 31% | — | — |
| 13 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NYPublicAssociate's | 21 | 21% | — | — |
| 14 | Gaston College Dallas, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 21 | 63% | — | — |
| 15 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor's | 20 | 69% | — | $62,552 |
| 16 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NYPublicBachelor's | 18 | 55% | — | $62,090 |
| 17 | Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 18 | 24% | — | — |
| 18 | Youngstown State University Youngstown, OHPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 18 | 50% | — | $57,772 |
| 19 | Nassau Community College Garden City, NYPublicAssociate's | 17 | 23% | — | — |
| 20 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PAPublicAssociate's | 17 | 71% | — | — |
| 21 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicBachelor's | 16 | 32% | — | $54,677 |
| 22 | Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DEPublicAssociate's | 16 | 22% | — | — |
| 23 | St Cloud Technical and Community College Saint Cloud, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 16 | 45% | — | — |
| 24 | Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SDPublicAssociate's | 16 | 59% | — | — |
| 25 | Savannah State University Savannah, GAPublicBachelor's | 15 | 28% | — | $51,654 |
| 26 | University of Houston-Downtown Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 15 | 33% | — | — |
| 27 | Fairmont State University Fairmont, WVPublicBachelor's | 15 | 44% | — | $57,570 |
| 28 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IAPublicAssociate's | 14 | 43% | — | — |
| 29 | SUNY College of Technology at Canton Canton, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 14 | 38% | — | $59,793 |
| 30 | Stark State College North Canton, OHPublicAssociate's | 14 | 23% | — | — |
| 31 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 32% | — | — |
| 32 | Bluefield State University Bluefield, WVPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 14 | 37% | — | — |
| 33 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 39% | — | — |
| 34 | Sandhills Community College Pinehurst, NCPublicAssociate's | 13 | 53% | — | — |
| 35 | Midlands Technical College West Columbia, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 13 | 18% | — | — |
| 36 | University of Puerto Rico at Ponce Ponce, PRPublicAssociate's | 13 | 46% | — | — |
| 37 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 48% | — | — |
| 38 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 39% | — | — |
| 39 | Mohawk Valley Community College Utica, NYPublicAssociate's | 12 | 38% | — | — |
| 40 | Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Okmulgee, OKPublicAssociate's | 12 | 42% | — | — |
| 41 | Middlesex College Edison, NJPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 33% | — | — |
| 42 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WIPublicAssociate's | 11 | 50% | — | — |
| 43 | Alpena Community College Alpena, MIPublicAssociate's | 10 | 52% | — | $60,063 |
| 44 | South Central College North Mankato, MNPublicAssociate's | 10 | 39% | — | $55,224 |
| 45 | Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 10 | 29% | — | — |
| 46 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway, SCPublicAssociate's | 10 | 38% | — | — |
| 47 | Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, COPublicBachelor's | 9 | 40% | — | $62,138 |
| 48 | Lake Land College Mattoon, ILPublicAssociate's | 9 | 58% | — | — |
| 49 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 9 | 43% | — | — |
| 50 | Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 31% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 44 states & territories
Where Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates come from. Each state links to all Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3022, Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates typically pursue careers as Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians, with a job outlook growing at about 2.1% and approximately 5,500 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is around $64,200, with most positions requiring an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0201
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Civil Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary SOC 17-3022 | $64,950 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,500 | Associate's degree |
Traffic Technicians SOC 53-6041 | $59,090 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degree do I need for a career in Civil Engineering Technologies?+
Most positions require at least an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication.
What types of projects will I work on?+
You will work on public works projects such as highways, bridges, and tunnels.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about 2.1% growth with around 5,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians?+
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians is CIP 15.0201 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.02). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of civil engineers engaged in designing and executing public works projects such as highways, dams, bridges, tunnels and other facilities. Includes instruction in site analysis, structural testing procedures, field and laboratory testing procedures, plan and specification preparation, test equipment operation and maintenance, and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs?+
120 U.S. institutions reported Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 44 states & territories, awarding 1,293 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,950 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $58,970, College Scorecard.
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates, so its figures match the Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians program page.
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