Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Utah

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$75,998

Est. from national median (14 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,314

Est. from national median (10 programs)

Analysis

The numbers paint a reassuring picture for construction engineering at Utah, though they come from peer programs nationally rather than this specific school's track record. Similar construction engineering bachelor's programs suggest first-year earnings around $76,000 against debt of roughly $25,000—a 0.33 ratio that falls comfortably in "good investment" territory. That kind of debt burden translates to manageable monthly payments on an entry-level salary that's already competitive.

What makes this field particularly appealing is its stability: construction engineering programs nationwide cluster tightly around these figures, with even top-quartile programs only reaching about $80,000. This consistency suggests the profession values licensure and technical skills over pedigree, meaning Utah's relatively accessible program (87% admission rate) likely prepares students just as effectively as more selective alternatives. The major caveat is that Utah has only one program at this level, so you're relying entirely on national patterns to predict outcomes—there's no in-state data to verify how construction engineering graduates specifically fare in Utah's market.

Given construction's strong presence in Utah's growing mountain corridor, the estimated earnings seem credible, if conservative. The reasonable debt load and solid starting salary make this a defensible choice, but confirm that Utah's program maintains the accreditation and industry connections that make construction engineering graduates employable straight out of school.

Where University of Utah Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all construction engineering bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Construction Engineering bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of UtahSalt Lake City	$9,315	$75,998*	—	$25,314*	—
California State University-SacramentoSacramento	$7,602	$90,836*	$102,535	$15,000*	0.17
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg	$15,478	$82,627*	$91,140	$26,698*	0.32
Oregon State UniversityCorvallis	$13,494	$80,936*	$93,310	$27,000*	0.33
Oregon State University-Cascades CampusBend	$12,594	$80,936*	$93,310	$27,000*	0.33
Iowa State UniversityAmes	$10,497	$77,845*	$85,601	$20,500*	0.26
National Median	—	$75,998*	—	$25,314*	0.33

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with construction engineering graduates

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Civil Engineers

Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.

$99,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Transportation Engineers

Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.

$99,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water/Wastewater Engineers

Design or oversee projects involving provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. Prepare environmental documentation for water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field work. Perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design.

$99,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Cost Estimators

Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.

$77,070/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Engineers, All Other

All engineers not listed separately.

Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar

Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.

Mechatronics Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.

Microsystems Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.

Photonics Engineers

Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Utah, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 14 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.