Best institutions to study Public Works Management
A program of study that focuses on public works management skills and public works operation.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 35 Public Works Management students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 44.0402, a specialization of Public Administration (CIP 44.04), and leads most directly to the Construction Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9021).
About Public Works Management programs
A program of study that focuses on public works management skills and public works operation. Includes instruction in accountability, budget, conflict resolution strategies, ethics, finance, human resources, labor and employee relations, and operations management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Public Works Management program, a specialization within Public Administration, equips students with essential skills for managing public works operations. This program is designed for individuals seeking to enhance their expertise in public works management, focusing on accountability, ethics, and effective resource management in public service settings.
Students will gain knowledge in critical areas such as building and construction, administration and management, and engineering technology. Core skills include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, all vital for successful public works management.
Credentials awarded
What Public Works Management graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Postbaccalaureate certificate25 graduates / yr · 1 institution71%
- Award of less than 12 weeks8 graduates / yr · 1 institution23%
- Associate's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution5.7%
Graduates over time
Public Works Management completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 35 |
CIP 44.0402 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 2 institutions for Public Works Management, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicPost-degree cert. | 25 | 73% | — |
| 2 | Front Range Community College Westminster, COPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 10 | 35% | — |
Offered in 2 states
Where Public Works Management graduates come from. Each state links to all Public Administration programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 1 | 25 | University of Rhode Island25 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 10 | Front Range Community College10 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9021, Construction Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Public Works Management program can pursue careers as Construction Managers or in various managerial roles. The job outlook for this field is promising, with an expected growth rate of 8.7%, approximately 46,800 annual openings, and a median wage of $106,980, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 44.0402
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Construction Managersprimary SOC 11-9021 | $114,990 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~46,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Public Works Management programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Public Administration specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Public Administration (CIP 44.04).
Common questions
What credentials can I earn from this program?+
You can earn a Postbaccalaureate certificate, an Award of less than 12 weeks, or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and mathematics.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a Construction Manager or in other managerial positions related to public works.
What is the job outlook for careers in Public Works Management?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 8.7% and about 46,800 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Public Works Management?+
Public Works Management is CIP 44.0402 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Public Administration (CIP 44.04). NCES defines it as: A program of study that focuses on public works management skills and public works operation. Includes instruction in accountability, budget, conflict resolution strategies, ethics, finance, human resources, labor and employee relations, and operations management.
How many institutions offer Public Works Management programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Public Works Management graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 35 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Public Administration graduates.
How much do Public Works Management graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Construction Managers occupation, which Public Works Management most directly leads to, pays a median of $114,990 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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