Compare 12 Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $74,316. Top programs: $87,573+.
With top graduates earning $87,573, Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $13,000—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 12 ranked programs, outcomes track program quality, not school reputation.
Topping the list, Murray State University's program delivers $87,573 in median earnings—nearly $13,300 above the $74,316 field average. Metropolitan State University of Denver follows closely at $86,131, an open-access public school that nearly matches Murray State's output. Two regional publics leading this field is no accident: it's what program-level data consistently reveals.
Murray State doesn't just lead on earnings—it leads on affordability. Graduates carry $20,500 in student debt and face just a 4.3% payment burden, earning an 'Excellent' GPS affordability rating. For families weighing parent loans, Metropolitan State of Denver takes the lead with an 8.0% combined burden, landing in the 'Good' tier. The best-earning programs are also among the most financially manageable.
Highest program earnings: $87,573
Strong outcomes ($87,573) with 86% acceptance
4.3% payment burden | Excellent
8.0% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Murray State UniversityPublic | $87,573 | 29 | $20,500 | Excellent | $18,465 | Good |
| #2 | $86,131 | 27 | $21,500 | Excellent | $13,743 | Good | |
| #3 | $83,553 | 56 | $26,778 | Excellent | $35,625 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $78,450 | 10 | $24,000 | Excellent | $16,900 | Good | |
| #5 | $76,532 | 7 | $21,500 | Excellent | $14,786 | Good | |
| #6 | $75,611 | 20 | $21,500 | Excellent | $19,809 | Good | |
| #7 | $75,102 | 14 | $21,000 | Excellent | $12,589 | Good | |
| #8 | $74,297 | 20 | $17,250 | Excellent | $18,928 | Good | |
| #9 | $72,630 | 6 | $27,000 | Excellent | $24,886 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $64,798 | 9 | $28,000 | Good | $15,692 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $59,793 | 12 | — | — | — | — | |
| #12 | $57,318 | 18 | — | — | — | — |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
