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2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Construction Engineering Technology undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 168 colleges 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.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College reviewed schools to build 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 Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
San Jacinto Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology undergraduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Based in Pasadena, TX, San Jacinto Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. San Jacinto Community College Construction Engineering Technology students take on a median of $11,376 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,062. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on San Jacinto Community College
You'll get strong value at Spokane Community College, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Spokane, WA, Spokane Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Spokane Community College Construction Engineering Technology students take on a median of $16,486 in debt. Median earnings reach $41,984 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Spokane Community College
Out of the 168 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Owens Community College landed the #3 spot. Owens Community College is a public school based in Perrysburg, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete their Construction Engineering Technology program here. Owens Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,275 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,383 median debt. See the full Owens Community College profile
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Construction Engineering Technology ranking in the United States. Based in Perkinston, MS, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Typical Construction Engineering Technology student debt is $11,653. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
A rank of #5 makes Houston Community College one of the best values in the United States. Based in Houston, TX, Houston Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,254. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt. Read the full report on Houston Community College
Texas State Technical College landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Waco, TX, Texas State Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Graduates carry a median of $12,125 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,916. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt. Read the full report on Texas State Technical College
Macomb Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Warren, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. The median Construction Engineering Technology program debt is $9,862. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Macomb Community College profile
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. University Of Akron Main Campus is a public school based in Akron, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. The median Construction Engineering Technology program debt is $24,855. Median earnings reach $46,600 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,855 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Akron Main Campus report
Tarrant County College District ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Tarrant County College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,727 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Tarrant County College District report
Jefferson State Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Birmingham, AL, Jefferson State Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,970. Jefferson State Community College Construction Engineering Technology students take on a median of $15,083 in debt. Median earnings reach $40,719 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Jefferson State Community College
Hudson Valley Community College placed #11 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Troy, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Hudson Valley Community College Construction Engineering Technology students take on a median of $12,868 in debt. Median earnings reach $45,460 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Hudson Valley Community College report
Nashville State Community College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Nashville State Community College is a public school based in Nashville, TN. In-state tuition and fees average $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Nashville State Community College Construction Engineering Technology students take on a median of $16,745 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,519. That is a strong return on a $16,745 median debt. Read the full report on Nashville State Community College
Louisiana Tech University placed #13 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Get the full Louisiana Tech University report
College Of Lake County landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. More on College Of Lake County
Siena Heights University placed #15 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Siena Heights University
Bossier Parish Community College landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Bossier Parish Community College profile
Clemson University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. See the full Clemson University profile
Portland Community College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. See the full Portland Community College profile
Lorain County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. See the full Lorain County Community College profile
Pellissippi State Community College placed #20 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. More on Pellissippi State Community College
Alabama A And M University placed #21 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. More on Alabama A And M University
Lane Community College placed #22 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. See the full Lane Community College profile
Lee College
Lee College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. See the full Lee College profile
Sinclair Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. More on Sinclair Community College
Central Michigan University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Central Michigan University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Construction Engineering Technology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Arizona State University Skysong offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on Arizona State University Skysong
Tarleton State University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read more about Tarleton State University
Northwest Arkansas Community College landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Northwest Arkansas Community College report
University Of Louisville landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Louisville
Cuyahoga Community College District offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. More on Cuyahoga Community College District
Florida International University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. See the full Florida International University profile
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #32 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Denmark Technical College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. Get the full Denmark Technical College report
El Centro College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Read the full report on El Centro College
Montana State University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. See the full Montana State University profile
East Carolina University came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on East Carolina University
Raritan Valley Community College landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Raritan Valley Community College
Pittsburg State University landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Pittsburg State University
Holmes Community College landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Holmes Community College
Arizona State University landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Arizona State University
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff profile
Grays Harbor College placed #42 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Grays Harbor College
Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Seminole State College Of Florida
Ferris State University placed #44 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Ferris State University
Washington State University came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. More on Washington State University
Arizona Western College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read more about Arizona Western College
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee Martin
Middle Tennessee State University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. More on Middle Tennessee State University
Southern Utah University placed #49 among the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools in the United States. More on Southern Utah University
University Of Florida ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Construction Engineering Technology schools. More on University Of Florida
Related Construction Engineering Technology Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Doctoral Degree Schools
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
- 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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