Construction Engineering at Texas Tech University

Texas Tech's construction engineering program sits comfortably in the middle of the pack nationally, but graduates actually earn more than typical Texas grads in this field—placing at the 60th percentile statewide despite the program's moderate national ranking. First-year earnings of $75,421 beat the state median by about $2,800, and graduates carry typical debt at $24,098, resulting in a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio. For parents focused on in-state options, this means their graduate will likely out-earn peers from competing Texas programs while taking on comparable debt.

The 17% earnings growth to $88,553 by year four follows a healthy trajectory for this field, though it's worth noting this program doesn't produce the six-figure earners you'll find at top-tier construction engineering schools. With just five Texas schools offering this degree, the state comparison is particularly relevant—Texas Tech graduates start ahead and maintain that edge. The moderate sample size suggests stable program outcomes rather than an outlier year.

For a Texas family, this represents straightforward value: slightly above-average state earnings, typical debt, and steady career progression. Your graduate enters the workforce making a solid living from day one, with debt that's cleared in well under a year of earnings. It won't catapult them to the top of the field, but it delivers on construction engineering's core promise of strong early-career income with reasonable educational costs.