Best colleges for Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Construction Engineering Technology/Technician by graduate earnings are California State University - Long Beach ($89,003), California State University - Chico ($88,648) and California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ($87,960), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- California State University - Long Beach (Long Beach, CA): $89,003, 43 graduates a year
- California State University - Chico (Chico, CA): $88,648, 83 graduates a year
- California State Polytechnic University - Pomona (Pomona, CA): $87,960, 46 graduates a year
- Washington State University (Pullman, WA): $80,404, 54 graduates a year
- University of Florida (Gainesville, FL): $79,410, 114 graduates a year
Compare 146 U.S. colleges offering Construction Engineering Technology/Technician by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 41 states.
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $72,266 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 15.10 and the Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Construction Engineering Technology/Technician programs
The Construction Engineering Technology/Technician program equips students with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to support various construction projects. This program is ideal for individuals interested in the intersection of engineering and construction, focusing on both the technical and operational aspects of the field. Students will gain a solid foundation in engineering concepts while learning to apply these principles in real-world scenarios. As a student in this program, you will develop competencies that prepare you for a career as an engineering technician. This role involves assisting in research and development projects, as well as participating in the implementation and operation of construction projects, making it a suitable choice for those who enjoy hands-on work in a dynamic environment.
Learn more about Construction Engineering Technology/Technician →
In the Construction Engineering Technology/Technician program, students will learn critical skills such as mathematics, reading comprehension, and active listening. Coursework typically covers engineering and technology principles, building and construction techniques, and design fundamentals, equipping students with the necessary tools to draft detailed drawings and analyze project specifications.
Top 25 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 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $89,003 | 43 | 69% | — | $17,866 |
| 2 | California State University - Chico Chico, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $88,648 | 83 | 63% | — | $21,104 |
| 3 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $87,960 | 46 | 68% | — | $16,067 |
| 4 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,404 | 54 | 60% | — | $28,550 |
| 5 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,410 | 114 | 91% | — | $14,738 |
| 6 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,352 | 31 | 57% | — | — |
| 7 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,716 | 69 | 57% | — | $12,985 |
| 8 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,423 | 139 | 67% | — | $25,000 |
| 9 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,253 | 262 | 68% | — | $22,750 |
| 10 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,949 | 32 | 62% | — | $25,000 |
| 11 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,799 | 478 | 84% | — | $20,500 |
| 12 | Montana State University Bozeman, MT Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,139 | 30 | 57% | — | $27,044 |
| 13 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,646 | 160 | 55% | — | $22,718 |
| 14 | University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,407 | 76 | 69% | — | $22,364 |
| 15 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,518 | 61 | 81% | — | $25,363 |
| 16 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,253 | 63 | 71% | — | $27,000 |
| 17 | North Dakota State University Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,199 | 43 | 64% | — | $27,000 |
| 18 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,900 | 36 | 68% | — | $24,525 |
| 19 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,694 | 258 | 65% | — | $22,629 |
| 20 | Florida International University Miami, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,602 | 132 | 74% | — | $22,000 |
| 21 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,116 | 63 | 55% | — | $25,000 |
| 22 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,845 | 31 | 42% | — | $20,250 |
| 23 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,797 | 63 | 67% | — | $24,964 |
| 24 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $70,481 | 58 | 48% | — | — |
| 25 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,942 | 21 | 53% | — | $17,500 |
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 | Hudson Valley Community College Troy, NY Public · Associate degree | $44,162 | 33 | 35% | — | — |
| 2 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TX Public · Associate degree | $38,682 | 75 | 46% | — | $12,125 |
| 3 | Lake Area Technical College Watertown, SD Public · Associate degree Small program | $75,253 | 9 | 73% | — | $12,000 |
Specializations within Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 15.10 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 41 states
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 Construction Engineering Technology/Technician 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 professionals in this field is approximately $64,200, and most positions require an Associate's degree, making this program a practical choice for aspiring engineering technicians.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 15.10.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 15.10 (Construction Engineering Technology/Technician) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9021 | Construction Managers |
| 13-1051 | Cost Estimators |
| 17-3022 | Civil Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Construction Engineering Technology/Technician 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 Construction Engineering Technology/Technician program?+
The program focuses on equipping students with the skills needed to support construction projects through engineering principles and practical applications.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, reading comprehension, and active listening, among others.
What are the career prospects after completing this program?+
The career outlook is about as fast as average, with around 5,500 annual job openings and a median wage of $64,200.
What level of education is required for this field?+
Most positions in this field require an Associate's degree.
How much do Construction Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $72,266, 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 Construction Engineering Technology/Technician?+
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician maps to CIP 15.10 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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