Best Schools for Construction Engineering

Construction Engineering graduates earn a median of $98,637 within four years of graduating, ranking #7 out of 283 tracked majors — 58% above the median across all fields. There are 17 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 561 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Arizona State University Campus Immersion graduates earn $116,219 while East Texas A&M University graduates earn $80,585 — a $35,634 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Construction Engineering graduates see an average -1% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$98,637

Avg. 2yr Earnings

of 283 Majors

561

Graduates

Public vs Private: Construction Engineering

Public (14 schools)

$99,998

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (3 schools)

$82,309

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Construction Engineering, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Construction Engineering by State

Top Construction Engineering Schools by Graduate Earnings

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

$116,219

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

1yr: $74,873 (18)

Acceptance: 90.2%

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · Public

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX · Public

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public

Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public

$94,505

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 39.9%

#10

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH · Public

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH · Public

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

East Texas A&M University

Commerce, TX · Public

$80,585

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 92.6%

#14

National University

San Diego, CA · Private

$82,440

2yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI · Private

North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Fargo, ND · Public

$59,417

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 95.8%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering $81,473 Petroleum Engineering $74,887 Operations Research $73,589 Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering $72,650 Mining and Mineral Engineering $72,531 Systems Engineering $70,711

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Construction Engineering?

Arizona State University Campus Immersion ranks #1 for Construction Engineering with median graduate earnings of $116,219 within four years of graduating. There are 17 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Construction Engineering graduates earn?

Construction Engineering graduates earn an average of $98,637 within four years of graduating. This is 58% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $80,585 to $116,219 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Construction Engineering program?

The average acceptance rate across Construction Engineering programs is 77.2%. The most selective program is at North Carolina State University at Raleigh with a 39.9% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Construction Engineering?

Private Construction Engineering programs average $82,309 in early earnings vs $99,998 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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