25 Best Construction Management Schools 2020
This list highlights the best construction management schools based on alumni earnings. At the top of the list is University of Alaska — Anchorage, followed by Arizona State University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and Boise State University. Graduates of the construction management degree programs at these top four schools earned median salaries of $68,000 and higher in their first year after graduation. Brigham Young University — Idaho stands out for having the lowest median debt of the ranked schools.
Tuition, median salaries, and median debt were reported by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2019. View our methodology for more details about these rankings or read more about the top-ranked schools.
2020 Best Colleges Highlights
Learn more about the top colleges for a Bachelor's in Construction Management degree. You can also read student reviews of each school by clicking on the stars. Although student reviews were not used as a ranking factor in this list, we provide ratings and reviews so students can consider the experience of alumni in their decision-making process.
The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) has a mission that emphasizes teaching and learning, creative activity, community engagement, and student success. Students are encouraged to engage in experiences that promote the unique culture of the institution’s location as well. Students pursuing the school’s Bachelor of Science in Construction Management will graduate with career-specific skills that incorporate these values. Graduates will learn how to work on a diverse, multi-disciplinary team, understand the basics of sustainable construction, and make professional decisions informed by ethical standards.
Undergraduate students must complete ten supplemental courses, including business law, macroeconomics, principles of financial accounting, and construction surveying. Students will also complete a laboratory-based science course in chemistry, geology, or physics. 122-123 credits are necessary for degree completion, with a significant number of core courses that cover different areas of the field, such as law, materials, electric, mechanical, and plumbing. Students will also complete an advanced construction management internship.
Arizona State University (ASU) hosts the School of Sustainable Energy and Built Environment. Students interested in this field may pursue a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and Technology. Graduates will be prepared for a number of disciplines within the construction field, including residential projects, commercial building, and infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges. Students will learn construction basics, management principles, and innovative technologies in the field.
The general four-year bachelor’s degree is 60% engineering and 40% business, with the option to concentrate in residential construction, building construction, heavy construction, and specialty construction. Undergraduates interested in continuing to an advanced degree can strive for a 4+1 accelerated degree, where they can begin graduate-level work. ASU has connections with local industry and internship opportunities to help students in career advancement. There are two mandatory, hands-on summer internships as part of the curriculum. The field internship takes place after the second year, and the managerial internship after the third year.
Wentworth Institute of Technology is an academic institution in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in engineering and technical design. Its home in Boston affords students countless internships and professional opportunities in this expanding state capital city. Undergraduates may pursue a four-year, Bachelor of Science in Construction Management through the College of Architecture, Design, and Construction Management. Graduates will gain career-focused organizational and technical skills. The curriculum exposes students to a variety of subjects within the discipline, including chemistry, mathematics, business administration, and design. Student assignments combine academics with industry needs.
The construction management degree has three principles on which the curriculum is structured: creative problem solving, collaboration, and a rich learning experience. Students will partake in fully immersive, hands-on mentoring projects under the supervision of construction professionals. They will attend seminars with guest speakers from major construction organizations and attend multiple site visits. Sample course titles include construction graphics, statics & strengths of materials, and managing & leading organizations.
Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, offers a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management through the College of Engineering. The program is designed to prepare students to ascend to management levels within the field of construction. With a growing demand for individuals with backgrounds in construction management, Boise State strives to adapt its curriculum and partnerships to areas of growth in the industry. Graduates will enter a large, diverse alumni network in the construction field.
The construction management undergraduate program is a small cohort of students who are actively engaged in student organizations and hands-on experiences throughout the campus. Nearly all students participate in junior-level internships with local construction companies where they receive course credits. Students can apply for internships in heavy construction, commercial construction, or residential construction. Degree completion requires 120-123 credits, with courses covering a range of topics from labor relations, mathematics, physics, and working with different building materials.
Central Washington University (CWU) is a public institution in Ellensburg, Washington, that values hands-on learning and an engaged faculty. Students are encouraged to participate in campus organizations and take advantage of study abroad programs, career support services, academic advisement, and tutoring. The College of Education and Professional Studies hosts a four-year Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, as well as several others degrees through its Engineering Technologies, Safety, and Construction (ETSC) Department.
Students in the construction management program benefit from small cohort sizes and a curriculum that emphasizes hands-on labs and individualized support. Undergraduates can choose from one of two specialization options: general construction with an emphasis on commercial building, or heavy/civil construction, which prepares students for infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and utilities. Students must complete prerequisite coursework before taking advanced classes through the department. Sample course titles include construction safety, strengths of materials, and LEED in sustainable construction.