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2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Certificate Degree Schools

2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Certificate Degree Schools

Looking for the best-value Construction Engineering Technology certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 168 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.

So you can compare your options, Trade College analyzed 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 Construction Engineering Technology Certificate Degree Schools in the United States

Explore the best-value schools below:

#1

Valencia College

Orlando, FL

Leading the list is Valencia College, our #1 best-value Construction Engineering Technology school in the United States. Set in Orlando, FL, Valencia College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete their Construction Engineering Technology program here. Valencia College alumni report median earnings of $40,594 a decade after entry. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Valencia College

You'll get strong value at Houston Community College, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Houston, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Houston Community College Construction Engineering Technology students take on a median of $19,223 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,254. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt. Get the full Houston Community College report

Out of the 168 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Lorain County Community College landed the #3 spot. Based in Elyria, OH, Lorain County Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. The median Construction Engineering Technology program debt is $17,611. Median earnings reach $38,837 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Lorain County Community College profile

#4

Midlands Technical College

West Columbia, SC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Midlands Technical College earned it the #4 place in the United States. This public school is set in West Columbia, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. The median Construction Engineering Technology program debt is $17,611. Midlands Technical College alumni report median earnings of $38,701 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt. See the full Midlands Technical College profile

Tarrant County College District came in at #5 on this year's best-value Construction Engineering Technology ranking in the United States. Tarrant County College District is a public school based in Fort Worth, TX. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Tarrant County College District Construction Engineering Technology students take on a median of $15,148 in debt. Tarrant County College District alumni report median earnings of $42,727 a decade after entry. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Tarrant County College District report

Seminole State College Of Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Sanford, FL, Seminole State College Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Graduates carry a median of $17,116 in student loans. Seminole State College Of Florida alumni report median earnings of $41,733 a decade after entry. Set against $17,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Seminole State College Of Florida

Jefferson State Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. Based in Birmingham, AL, Jefferson State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Typical Construction Engineering Technology student debt is $15,083. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,719 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,083 median debt. More on Jefferson State Community College

University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public school based in Duluth, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete their Construction Engineering Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%. Get the full University Of Minnesota Duluth report

#9

St Philips College

San Antonio, TX

St Philips College placed #9 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in San Antonio, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical Construction Engineering Technology student debt is $15,653. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,224. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on St Philips College

Sinclair Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Dayton, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical Construction Engineering Technology student debt is $12,525. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Sinclair Community College

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. Located in Murfreesboro, TN, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,541. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%. Get the full Middle Tennessee State University report

#12

Bristol Community College

Fall River, MA

Bristol Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. Located in Fall River, MA, Bristol Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,663 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,482 median debt. Read more about Bristol Community College

Capital Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Read more about Capital Community College

Lee College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Lee College

Gloucester County College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. Read more about Gloucester County College

Howard College landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Howard College

University Of New Haven placed #17 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Get the full University Of New Haven report

California State University Fresno offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Get the full California State University Fresno report

Missouri Western State University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. See the full Missouri Western State University profile

Tompkins Cortland Community College landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Tompkins Cortland Community College

Crowder College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. More on Crowder College

Hocking College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Get the full Hocking College report

South Texas College came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read more about South Texas College

University Of North Texas came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of North Texas report

Louisiana Tech University landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Louisiana Tech University profile

Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Construction Engineering Technology Certificate Degree Schools in the United States

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:

Avtec Alaskas Institute Of Technology came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. See the full Avtec Alaskas Institute Of Technology profile

California State University Long Beach came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Get the full California State University Long Beach report

Danville Area Community College landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Danville Area Community College

Horry Georgetown Technical College landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Horry Georgetown Technical College report

Northwest State Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. More on Northwest State Community College

San Jacinto Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. See the full San Jacinto Community College profile

Joliet Junior College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Joliet Junior College report

Santa Fe Community College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. Read the full report on Santa Fe Community College

Hudson Valley Community College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. More on Hudson Valley Community College

California State University Chico placed #35 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Read the full report on California State University Chico

Frederick Community College placed #36 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. See the full Frederick Community College profile

Lane Community College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. Read more about Lane Community College

Mesa State College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. Get the full Mesa State College report

Tarleton State University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on Tarleton State University

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne report

University Of Florida landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Florida

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Western Carolina University placed #43 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Western Carolina University

Pellissippi State Community College placed #44 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. See the full Pellissippi State Community College profile

River Parishes Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. More on River Parishes Community College

South Suburban College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on South Suburban College

Montana State University came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. See the full Montana State University profile

University Of Toledo came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Toledo

Texas A And M University College Station placed #49 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report

Spokane Community College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Spokane Community College

Explore other degree levels:

Ranking Methodology & Notes

These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 168 ranked schools only.

References

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