Construction Engineering Technologies at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's construction engineering technology program shows strong mid-career momentum, with graduates reaching $111,230 by year four—well above what comparable programs typically deliver nationally ($72,240). The first-year estimate of roughly $85,000, based on the six similar California programs that reported data, suggests a solid start that accelerates meaningfully. With estimated debt around $17,000—notably lower than the $25,000 national median for these programs—the financial picture appears manageable even if actual outcomes vary from the state-level patterns.

The challenge here is transparency: the Department of Education suppressed both earnings and debt figures due to small sample size, so we're working from what peer California programs report. Cal Poly SLO sits among credible company—CSU Long Beach, Chico, and Pomona all show first-year earnings in the $87,000-$90,000 range for construction engineering tech degrees. The school's 30% admission rate and strong technical reputation suggest it likely performs in line with these peers, but parents should recognize there's no guarantee this program specifically produces those outcomes.

The estimated 0.20 debt-to-earnings ratio would rank as excellent if confirmed. For construction management roles in California's robust development market, this pathway makes practical sense—assuming the actual graduate outcomes align with state trends. Request placement data directly from the department to fill in what federal reporting can't tell you.