Best Construction Management Degrees

Construction managers act as crucial liaisons for a building project. They communicate with clients, engineers, architects, and building teams.
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Updated October 4, 2023

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Purse a Career with a Construction Management Degree

A construction management degree prepares students for careers in the field by honing skills in building design and planning, business operations, and material handling. Degree-seekers with interests in leadership, business, and technology may consider pursuing a construction management degree. With a bachelor's, graduates gain skills that help them qualify for jobs as construction managers, cost estimators, and property managers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an 8% increase in construction manager jobs from 2019-2029. This outpaces the national average for all occupations, making now a great time to pursue a career in the field.

What Is Construction Management?

Recognized since the 1960s, the construction management profession includes job titles like general contractors or project managers. With a bachelor's degree, graduates may also pursue career paths as construction cost estimators or property managers.

Often self employed, construction managers spend their days on construction sites. Top employers include specialty trade contractors, residential and nonresidential building construction, and heavy and civil engineering construction.

As businesses expand over the next decade, their building needs also increase, making construction management an important profession for economic growth.

Construction managers act as crucial liaisons for a building project. They communicate with clients, engineers, architects, and building teams. They also monitor spending, respond to emergencies, and coordinate the scheduling of subcontractors. As businesses expand over the next decade, their building needs also increase, making construction management an important profession for economic growth.

Prospective students may be drawn to the profession if they like working with people and buildings. Construction managers need excellent skills in communication, business decision-making, and building technology.

With a bachelor's in construction management, students can sharpen these skills and qualify for supervisory positions in the field.

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Why Get a Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management?

Any degree requires an investment of both time and money, and prospective students may question whether to take the leap. Construction management professionals can sometimes enter the field through alternate pathways, including associate degrees and relevant experience.

With a bachelor's in construction management, however, graduates appeal to more potential employers. Students gain the skills they need to work with confidence in diverse areas, including accounting, communication, and construction techniques. Other benefits of earning a degree in construction management include:

Many employers look for construction managers who hold a bachelor's degree. While an associate degree might allow someone to take on small projects, construction managers with a bachelor's degree qualify for larger and more complicated jobs. Cost estimators generally need a bachelor's.

With a bachelor's in construction management, students lay a foundation for further education. The degree includes business fundamentals and academic experience that could set the stage for an MBA or other master's-level studies.

Construction management programs tend to emphasize the development of practical skills, immersing students in experiential learning opportunities. Internships, capstone projects, career exploration, and hands-on exercises with industry tools give learners an edge when they enter the job market.

What to Expect From Construction Degrees

A bachelor's in construction management usually requires about 120 credits for graduation, including general education requirements in English, math, science, and the humanities. Major requirements vary but can range from 50-90 credits.

The core focus for a construction management degree involves engineering, critical thinking, problem-solving, and business topics like budgeting and accounting. Many programs feature practical, hands-on experiences that enhance enrollees' professional skills. Concentration options include building sciences, architectural technology, civil engineering, and construction engineering management.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students applying for a bachelor's in construction management should hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Many institutions ask for SAT or ACT scores or require applicants to complete a placement exam like ACCUPLACER. Other common requirements include an online application, personal statement, and application fee of about $25-$50.

Some schools waive standardized tests with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Others require students to complete a course with an acceptable grade before they can join the full major.

Concentration Options

Aspiring construction management professionals may specialize their studies in a particular area of the field. By developing expertise in a particular niche, students can often gain a competitive edge in hiring.

Construction engineering technology focuses on the building process. With a strong emphasis on engineering, the degree highlights math, physics, surveying, materials testing, planning, and design. While a typical bachelor's in construction management covers these topics, the specialty track makes it a primary focus.

Construction management degrees can also offer separate tracks in commercial and residential construction. Commercial construction focuses on public structures like offices, hospitals, and hotels. Residential construction prepares students to build private homes.

At some schools, construction management appears as a concentration within another bachelor's degree. Examples include:

Popular Construction Management Courses

Construction management programs differ in their curriculum requirements. However, prospective students can encounter general education courses such as English composition, algebra, physics, and public speaking.

Major courses cover construction materials and methods, construction equipment and methods, mechanical and plumbing systems, OSHA standards, and managing a construction business. Many programs also require learners to complete an experiential internship or capstone project.

Examples of construction management courses include:

How Much Will a Bachelor's in Construction Management Cost?

The cost of earning a bachelor's degree in construction management varies. Generally, prospective students can find tuition rates ranging from $5,800-$14,000 per semester. However, margins certainly extend in both directions.

Degree-seekers can potentially save money by considering factors like school location, institution type, and program structure. Public schools often charge lower tuition rates than private schools. They also differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students, with residents paying lower fees. Online programs frequently offer learners reduced tuition rates.

To offset the cost of their degree, students should fill out a FAFSA form to apply for financial aid. This can qualify them to receive low-interest federal loans, plus some grant opportunities.

Professional organizations offer a wealth of scholarship opportunities, and enrollees can find many awards from local organizations and individual schools. Scholarship categories can include an area of study, extracurricular interests, and personal demographics.

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Choosing the Right Construction Management Program

By exploring a list of the best construction management schools, prospective students can anchor their research with facts about each program. Degree-seekers also need to consider other factors, such as accreditation, the size of a school, and the program culture.

Students should ensure that the institution holds national or regional accreditation. These standards assess the school as a whole, with regional accreditation widely recognized as the more rigorous. Construction management programs may also hold accreditation from the American Council for Construction Education.

School size can impact a student's learning experience. Some degree-seekers thrive in large, active campuses with sporting events and many extracurricular offerings. Others prefer smaller and more intimate collegiate settings.

Program culture can also factor into the decision-making process. Prospective students might speak with a current student or alumni to discover whether a program promotes competition or support. As another example, a diverse faculty can point to a culture that prioritizes an inclusive environment.

Should You Get Your Degree Online?

Online education provides a wealth of opportunities for students who want flexibility and access to excellent programming from wherever they live. As distance learning explodes in popularity, employers increasingly value the experience students can gain while earning their degrees online.

With a construction degree, learners can complete general education courses and business foundations easily from home. Students learn core concepts like fundamentals of accounting, contracts, and quality management without completing any in-person requirements.

An online degree allows students with work obligations to continue earning a salary and gaining valuable experience while completing their degree. Courses may run asynchronously, allowing learners to access information on their own schedules. Other programs may require enrollees to log in for real-time classes. Alternatively, hybrid programs combine web-based classes with some in-person requirements.

Online education requires the same dedication as an on-campus degree. Learners in any program can excel when they can exercise good time management skills and self-discipline.

Questions About Construction Management Degrees

What degree does a construction manager need?

Construction managers can take various pathways into the field, but most employers prefer a bachelor's degree. Those with an associate degree might handle minor projects if they have significant experience.

Is a construction management degree worth it?

With a bachelor's in construction management, graduates bring significant knowledge to their work. The curriculum covers business, management, and building technologies that employers value highly.

How long are construction manager programs?

Most students can complete a construction management bachelor's degree in about four years. Students can reduce this timeline by transferring college credits or enrolling in an accelerated program.

What kinds of jobs can you get with a construction management degree?

Graduates who hold a bachelor's in construction management qualify for jobs as general contractors and project managers. They may also work as cost estimators or property managers.

Is a construction manager a good career?

The BLS projects 8% growth in construction management jobs from 2019-2029, much faster than the national average for all occupations. Construction managers earn an annual median wage of $97,180.

Best Construction Management Schools

#1 Best Construction Management Degrees

California State University, Sacramento

  • Sacramento, CA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

California State University, Sacramento offers 55 bachelor's degrees, including its bachelor of science in construction management program. With this degree, students bring the knowledge and skills required for careers in diverse industries. A bachelor's degree also prepares graduates for master's and doctoral programs.

The curriculum covers foundational and advanced topics. In addition to major coursework, undergraduates take general education classes that strengthen critical thinking skills. Electives, minors, and double majors let students explore other academic and professional interests.

Incoming degree candidates benefit from the school's strong student services support. For example, career counselors help enrollees identify strengths and plan for the job market.

California State University, Sacramento at a Glance:

Location: Sacramento, California

Type of School: Public

Admissions Rate: 82%

Total Online Bachelor's Programs: 2

Undergrad Tuition In State: $5,742

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $17,622

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$5,742
Out-of-state
$17,622
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$7,176
Out-of-state
$16,680
Retention Rate
83%
Acceptance Rate
82%
Students Enrolled
31,992
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
38% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

#2 Best Construction Management Degrees

Arizona State University-Tempe

  • Tempe, AZ
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

The bachelor's in construction management and technology program at Arizona State University-Tempe, a public institution, prepares graduates for the workforce. The school runs in-person and online programs. Undergraduates benefit from flexible enrollment options and comprehensive support services.

The construction management and technology program includes general education and major courses that emphasize key skills and knowledge. Social science, humanities, and STEM classes complement the courses in the major. Advanced courses cover theoretical and practical topics, preparing graduates for the workforce or a higher degree.

Arizona State University-Tempe at a Glance:

Admissions Rate: 86%

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20-to-1

Total Bachelor's Programs: 97

Undergrad Tuition In State: $10,710

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $28,800

Average Amount Aid Awarded: $12,100

Graduation Rate: 63%

Average Graduate Earnings After Six Years: $42,200

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$10,710
Out-of-state
$28,800
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$11,720
Out-of-state
$26,160
Retention Rate
88%
Acceptance Rate
86%
Students Enrolled
53,286
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
47% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#3 Best Construction Management Degrees

Central Connecticut State University

  • New Britain, CT
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

The bachelor's in construction management program at Central Connecticut State University, which offers 63 bachelor's degrees, helps degree-seekers reach their goals. Students enter the workforce prepared for diverse career paths with their degree. Graduates also meet the requirements for master's and doctoral programs by earning a bachelor's degree.

The curriculum covers foundational and advanced topics. Undergraduates also gain communication, writing, and critical thinking skills in general education courses. Minors and second majors help students balance their skills and demonstrate a well-rounded education.

Incoming enrollees can expect strong support services. For example, academic advisors work with students to make a graduation plan that takes transfer credits into account.

Central Connecticut State University at a Glance:

Location: New Britain, Connecticut

Type of School: Public

Admissions Rate: 66%

Undergrad Tuition In State: $5,924

Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $17,726

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$5,924
Out-of-state
$17,726
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$7,378
Out-of-state
$19,008
Retention Rate
72%
Acceptance Rate
66%
Students Enrolled
11,154
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
9% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes New England Commission on Higher Education

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