by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you love building things? Do you have a vision for the big picture and the ability to manage all the parts that make your vision a reality? Construction Management may be a field of interest to you.
Constructing a building takes planning, specialized knowledge and skills in management. Many things can go wrong, and many unplanned complications can occur. This is what makes Construction Managers so essential. They handle everything, from managing the crew, reading blueprints, and meeting deadlines. Students who pursue a major in Construction Management will learn how to schedule, supervise, and budget various projects.
While focusing on this major you will be taking classes in architecture, civil engineering, blueprint reading, real estate, and engineering technology. The major is available as either an Associates of a Bachelor's degree. Students with prior work experience may only need to obtain their Associates, however Bachelor's degrees tend to lend themselves to higher paying positions with more responsibility.
Construction Management was the 150th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 3,846 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 373 over the prior year, a growth of 9.7%.
This year's Best Construction Management Schools ranking compares 92 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of construction management programs later in this article.
Construction Management can be a very exciting field, as every project consists of building something new. Mathematical and Scientific skills are needed in order to be successful within this field. You will be working with budgets, time estimations and multiple schedules; keeping everything going requires time management and the ability to multitask.
Prior work experience is highly regarded in this field. You may wish to find a part time job doing construction to get hands-on experience in the field. You can also seek internships while in college in order to gain experience and better understanding of construction.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most construction management degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional construction management certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different construction management degree levels. You can get anything from a in construction management to the highest construction management degree, a . Different construction management degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to construction management, with approximately 76.0% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to construction management tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 76.0% |
| Some College Courses | 12.0% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 4.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 4.0% |
Most workers in construction management have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in construction management have received.
The education level required is different depending on the construction management career you are seeking.
A degree in Construction Management can lead to many different career options. One quickly growing job field is that of a Construction and Building Inspector. In this job you will make sure that all construction, repairs and changes to locations are legal and comply with codes.
Some graduates are interested in pursuing work as Drafter, converting designs made by engineers and architects into technical drawings and plans. Other options include becoming construction managers, electricians, architects, and property managers.
Want a job when you graduate with your construction management degree? Construction Management careers are expected to grow 11.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to construction management.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Managers | 448,600 | 11.1% |
Construction Management graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $66,201 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $35,512 to as high as $98,322. As you might expect, salaries for construction management graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for construction management graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers construction management grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Construction Managers | $103,110 |
With over 259 different construction management degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased construction management school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Construction Management that might interest you.
Construction Management is one of 21 different types of Business, Management & Marketing programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Construction Management | 3,828 |
| Construction Project Management | 18 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration & Management | 416,590 |
| Accounting | 99,265 |
| Finance & Financial Management | 57,778 |
| General Business/Commerce | 56,042 |
| Marketing | 52,916 |
Image Credit: By RudolfSimon under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
