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2026 Best Value Civil Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Civil Engineering Technology associate’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 160 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Trade College evaluated schools to compile 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 Civil Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Southeast Community College Area this year in the United States. Based in Lincoln, NE, Southeast Community College Area is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,405. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt. Get the full Southeast Community College Area report
Alpena Community College came in at #2 on this year's best-value Civil Engineering Technology ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Alpena, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical Civil Engineering Technology student debt is $10,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,442 ten years after entry. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Alpena Community College
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #3 on this year's best-value Civil Engineering Technology ranking in the United States. Located in Saint Cloud, MN, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. St Cloud Technical And Community College Civil Engineering Technology students take on a median of $16,734 in debt. Median earnings reach $46,874 ten years out. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on St Cloud Technical And Community College
A rank of #4 makes South Central College one of the best values in the United States. Located in North Mankato, MN, South Central College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Typical Civil Engineering Technology student debt is $13,268. South Central College alumni report median earnings of $45,068 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,268 median debt. Read the full report on South Central College
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. The median Civil Engineering Technology program debt is $20,721. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,137 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Cincinnati State Technical And Community College profile
Madison Area Technical College landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Typical Civil Engineering Technology student debt is $16,812. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Madison Area Technical College
Dakota County Technical College placed #8 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Dakota County Technical College is a public school based in Rosemount, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,679. Graduates carry a median of $13,474 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,938. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Dakota County Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #9 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Green Bay, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. The median Civil Engineering Technology program debt is $14,997. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College alumni report median earnings of $44,553 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt. Read the full report on Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Florence Darlington Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Florence, SC. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Florence Darlington Technical College Civil Engineering Technology students take on a median of $7,230 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,748 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt. More on Florence Darlington Technical College
North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Wahpeton, ND, North Dakota State College Of Science is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Students borrow a median of $15,706 to complete their Civil Engineering Technology program here. North Dakota State College Of Science alumni report median earnings of $50,513 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full North Dakota State College Of Science report
Stark State College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Set in North Canton, OH, Stark State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete their Civil Engineering Technology program here. Median earnings reach $34,661 ten years out. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Stark State College
Valencia College placed #13 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Orlando, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,594 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Valencia College profile
Youngstown State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools. Set in Youngstown, OH, Youngstown State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical Civil Engineering Technology student debt is $29,500. Median earnings reach $41,544 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted. More on Youngstown State University
Ferris State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools. Based in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,778. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete their Civil Engineering Technology program here. Ferris State University alumni report median earnings of $54,735 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Ferris State University profile
Midlands Technical College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Located in West Columbia, SC, Midlands Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. The median Civil Engineering Technology program debt is $17,611. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,701. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Midlands Technical College report
Central Maine Community College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Set in Auburn, ME, Central Maine Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, compared with $7,020 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,700 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,448. Set against $14,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Central Maine Community College profile
Portland Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools. Based in Portland, OR, Portland Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Students borrow a median of $20,648 to complete their Civil Engineering Technology program here. Median earnings reach $44,592 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,648 median debt. Read more about Portland Community College
Tidewater Community College placed #19 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Located in Norfolk, VA, Tidewater Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. The median Civil Engineering Technology program debt is $14,001. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,349. Set against $14,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Tidewater Community College
Linn State Technical College landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Linn, MO, Linn State Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,042 to complete their Civil Engineering Technology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,901 ten years after entry. Set against $11,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Linn State Technical College profile
Dunwoody College Of Technology came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,477. Typical Civil Engineering Technology student debt is $18,973. Dunwoody College Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $61,511 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dunwoody College Of Technology admits about 99% of applicants. Get the full Dunwoody College Of Technology report
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #22 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Located in Sanford, FL, Seminole State College Of Florida is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Typical Civil Engineering Technology student debt is $18,419. Seminole State College Of Florida alumni report median earnings of $41,733 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,419 median debt. Read the full report on Seminole State College Of Florida
Lake Land College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Mattoon, IL, Lake Land College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,877. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt. Get the full Lake Land College report
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a public school based in Troy, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. The median Civil Engineering Technology program debt is $12,868. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,460 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt. More on Hudson Valley Community College
Erie Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools. Set in Buffalo, NY, Erie Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Erie Community College Civil Engineering Technology students take on a median of $12,580 in debt. Erie Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,228 a decade after entry. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Erie Community College
Sinclair Community College placed #26 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Sinclair Community College is a public school based in Dayton, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,558. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt. See the full Sinclair Community College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Civil Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Des Moines Area Community College placed #27 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Set in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Des Moines Area Community College
New England Institute Of Technology landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in East Greenwich, RI, New England Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,275. The median Civil Engineering Technology program debt is $24,586. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,684. That is a strong return on a $24,586 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%. More on New England Institute Of Technology
Idaho State University placed #29 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Set in Pocatello, ID, Idaho State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Idaho State University Civil Engineering Technology students take on a median of $24,640 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,608 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Idaho State University report
Indian River State College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools. This public school is set in Fort Pierce, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical Civil Engineering Technology student debt is $10,492. Indian River State College alumni report median earnings of $38,315 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Indian River State College
Pennsylvania College Of Technology came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a public school based in Williamsport, PA. Students from in state pay about $17,940 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. The median Civil Engineering Technology program debt is $27,000. Pennsylvania College Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $52,567 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Pennsylvania College Of Technology report
Bridgevalley Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Set in South Charleston, WV, Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,428 for out-of-state students. Typical Civil Engineering Technology student debt is $11,958. Median earnings reach $36,432 ten years out. Set against $11,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Bridgevalley Community And Technical College report
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Brooklyn, NY. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical Civil Engineering Technology student debt is $11,492. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,365. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%. Get the full Cuny New York City College Of Technology report
Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Based in Flushing, NY, Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,810. Graduates carry a median of $24,688 in student loans. Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology alumni report median earnings of $64,973 a decade after entry. Set against $24,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Based in Knoxville, TN, Pellissippi State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Pellissippi State Community College Civil Engineering Technology students take on a median of $8,951 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Pellissippi State Community College
Vermont Technical College placed #36 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Randolph, VT. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vermont Technical College has an acceptance rate of 82%. Read more about Vermont Technical College
Bristol Community College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools. Get the full Bristol Community College report
Mercer County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. More on Mercer County Community College
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. More on Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Guilford Technical Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. See the full Guilford Technical Community College profile
Murray State University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. More on Murray State University
Lincoln University Missouri came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. More on Lincoln University Missouri
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #42 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. More on Cuny College Of Staten Island
Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De San Juan placed #43 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. More on Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De San Juan
Cleveland State Community College landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Cleveland State Community College
Bellingham Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. More on Bellingham Technical College
Capital Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on Capital Community College
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools. More on Chattahoochee Technical College
Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Guayama placed #48 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. See the full Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Guayama profile
Mt Hood Community College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Mt Hood Community College
Gateway Technical College placed #50 among the best-value Civil Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Gateway Technical College
Related Civil Engineering Technology Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Civil Engineering Technology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Civil Engineering Technology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Civil Engineering Technology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Civil Engineering Technology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Civil Engineering Technology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Civil Engineering Technology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Civil Engineering Technology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (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 160 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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