2026 Best Value Construction Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

For return on investment in construction engineering, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the construction engineering program here. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

2

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for strong value in construction engineering will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the construction engineering program here. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $76,966. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

3

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for construction engineering. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $19,137. Construction Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

4

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

A rank of #4 makes Illinois Institute Of Technology one of the best values for construction engineering. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $26,774. Construction Engineering graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

5

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the construction engineering program here. Construction Engineering graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

6

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for construction engineering value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $69,146. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

7

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #7 for value in construction engineering this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,480 in student loans. Construction Engineering graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $71,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,480 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

8

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University earned the #8 position for value in construction engineering this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Construction Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction engineering degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $71,053. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.

9

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University earned the #9 position for value in construction engineering this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Typical student debt for construction engineering graduates is $24,122. Early-career construction engineering graduates make about $60,443. Set against $24,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.