Best colleges for Construction Management
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Construction Management by graduate earnings are California State University - East Bay ($99,649), California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($92,785) and Weber State University ($82,914), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- California State University - East Bay (Hayward, CA): $99,649, 91 graduates a year
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $92,785, 130 graduates a year
- Weber State University (Ogden, UT): $82,914, 49 graduates a year
- Wentworth Institute of Technology (Boston, MA): $81,880, 147 graduates a year
- Milwaukee School of Engineering (Milwaukee, WI): $79,353, 23 graduates a year
Compare 146 U.S. colleges offering Construction Management by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 47 states.
Construction Management programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $71,915 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 52.20 and the Construction Managers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Construction Management programs
The Construction Management program equips students with the essential skills and knowledge to oversee construction projects from inception to completion. This program is ideal for individuals interested in applying project management techniques within the construction industry, focusing on controlling scope, time, cost, and quality to meet project objectives.
Students in the Construction Management program will develop critical skills in areas such as critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics. Coursework typically covers building and construction principles, administration and management practices, and engineering technology, preparing graduates for effective project oversight.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $99,649 | 91 | 48% | — | — |
| 2 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $92,785 | 130 | 86% | — | $18,955 |
| 3 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $82,914 | 49 | 46% | — | $15,000 |
| 4 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $81,880 | 147 | 68% | $32,713 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $79,353 | 23 | 67% | $20,167 | — |
| 6 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,030 | 22 | 78% | $36,004 | $31,000 |
| 7 | Boise State University Boise, ID Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,109 | 84 | 60% | — | $25,000 |
| 8 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,708 | 50 | 61% | — | $23,700 |
| 9 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,246 | 136 | 86% | — | $27,000 |
| 10 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,779 | 118 | 55% | $6,760 | $15,466 |
| 11 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,705 | 27 | 85% | — | $23,983 |
| 12 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,682 | 54 | 54% | — | $26,499 |
| 13 | Roger Williams University Bristol, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,334 | 60 | 69% | $34,648 | $26,000 |
| 14 | Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,226 | 42 | 52% | — | $23,656 |
| 15 | Everglades University Boca Raton, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,042 | 157 | 61% | $29,513 | $48,247 |
| 16 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,177 | 27 | 54% | — | $24,750 |
| 17 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,731 | 45 | 58% | — | $24,600 |
| 18 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $73,678 | 100 | 81% | $13,712 | $12,228 |
| 19 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,292 | 57 | 47% | — | $20,750 |
| 20 | John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $73,249 | 29 | 72% | $20,325 | — |
| 21 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,940 | 21 | 53% | — | $27,000 |
| 22 | University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,779 | 67 | 55% | — | $20,425 |
| 23 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,379 | 90 | 43% | — | $29,567 |
| 24 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,249 | 72 | 75% | — | $22,500 |
| 25 | University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,915 | 34 | 54% | — | $18,901 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Joaquin Valley College - Visalia Visalia, CA Private for-profit · Associate degree | $53,053 | 43 | 36% | $30,518 | $20,000 |
| 2 | ITI Technical College Baton Rouge, LA Private for-profit · Associate degree Small program | $59,942 | 6 | 59% | $20,818 | $22,565 |
Specializations within Construction Management
3 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 52.20 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 47 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9021, Construction Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Construction Management program can expect a favorable job outlook, with an anticipated growth rate of 8.7% and approximately 46,800 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $106,980, and a typical educational requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Construction Management
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 52.20.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 52.20 (Construction Management) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9021 | Construction Managersprimary |
| 13-1082 | Project Management Specialists |
| 25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Construction Management programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
- Develop or implement quality control programs.
- Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
- Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
- Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
- Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.
Common questions
What is Construction Management?+
Construction Management is a professional service that applies project management techniques to oversee the planning, design, and construction of projects.
What skills will I learn?+
Students will learn critical thinking, active listening, mathematics, and skills related to project management and construction oversight.
What is the job outlook for Construction Management graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 8.7% and about 46,800 annual openings.
What is the typical salary for a Construction Manager?+
The median wage for professionals in this field is $106,980.
How much do Construction Management graduates earn?+
Construction Management graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $71,915, College Scorecard (2019); the Construction Managers occupation pays about $124,360 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Construction Management?+
Construction Management maps to CIP 52.20 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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