Construction Engineering Technologies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

UNC Charlotte's Construction Engineering Technologies program sits in an interesting position: it trails the national median by about $5,000 in first-year earnings, but it's actually the stronger performer among North Carolina's two programs offering this degree. At $67,199 starting out, graduates earn roughly $2,000 more than the state median and notably outpace Western Carolina's outcomes.

The $27,000 median debt load is manageable—40% of first-year earnings—and identical to both national and state medians for this program. Graduates see steady earnings growth to $74,000 by year four, though they're still playing catch-up to the national benchmark. For families weighing in-state tuition options in North Carolina, this represents the best available choice in this specific field, even if it doesn't match what top programs deliver nationally.

The tradeoff here is clear: you're getting solid, middle-class construction industry earnings with reasonable debt, but not the premium outcomes that higher-ranking programs produce. If your student is committed to staying in North Carolina and wants to work in construction management or engineering support, this is a viable path. Just understand that the 25th national percentile ranking reflects real earning differences—graduates elsewhere are typically making $5,000-$10,000 more in those crucial early career years.