Compare 6 Construction Engineering. programs in the South. Average earnings: $79,300.
With top graduates earning $91,140, Construction Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $15K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Virginia Tech's Construction Engineering program leads with graduates earning $91,140, followed by Texas Tech at $88,553. The average across all 6 programs is $79,300, but these top performers demonstrate how strong regional programs compete with any institution based on actual outcomes, not reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Virginia Tech graduates borrow $21,500 and face just a 4.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, proving top programs can also be affordable.
Highest program earnings: $91,140
Strong outcomes with 57% acceptance
4.3% payment burden | Excellent
8.7% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $91,140 | 21 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #2 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $88,553 | 30 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,443 | Good |
| #3 | $76,574 | 13 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Good | |
| #4 | $76,460 | 13 | $22,750 | Excellent | $48,666 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $72,613 | 21 | $17,527 | Excellent | $12,313 | Good | |
| #6 | $70,457 | 16 | $20,500 | Excellent | $15,265 | Good |
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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
