2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Schools in the Southwest Region
[Construction Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/construction-engineering-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for construction engineering technology students.
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2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Engineering Technology Schools
Brazosport College earned the #1 spot for value among construction engineering technology schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values for construction engineering technology. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $14,557. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #3 place for construction engineering technology. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Construction Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career construction engineering technology graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering technology schools. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $15,720. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Tarrant County College District one of the best values for construction engineering technology. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Construction Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Houston Community College earned the #6 position for value in construction engineering technology this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texarkana College came in at #7 for value in construction engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,476, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $11,686. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of Texarkana College earn a median of $33,707 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,686 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College placed #8 among the best values for construction engineering technology. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard College landed the #9 spot for construction engineering technology value this year. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $14,242. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $41,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University landed the #10 spot for construction engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Early-career construction engineering technology graduates make about $83,520. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas State Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,212 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Construction Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,125 in student loans. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $38,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt.
University Of Houston ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering technology schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $22,629. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $73,694. That is a strong return on a $22,629 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #13 spot for construction engineering technology value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $55,134 early in their careers. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #14 among the best values for construction engineering technology. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the construction engineering technology program here. Early-career construction engineering technology graduates make about $72,266. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Sam Houston State University came in at #15 for value in construction engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Construction Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career construction engineering technology graduates make about $72,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in construction engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Construction Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $24,525 in student loans. Early-career construction engineering technology graduates make about $73,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #17 among the best values for construction engineering technology. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $22,718. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $76,646. Set against $22,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #18 among the best values for construction engineering technology. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Construction Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Construction Engineering Technology graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Tarleton State University came in at #19 for value in construction engineering technology this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $23,222. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $70,481. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value construction engineering technology schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for construction engineering technology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, construction engineering technology degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $77,799. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
