Last year, over a hundred colleges across the nation awarded nearly 3,500 construction management degrees: with a 10% growth in the industry, these graduates are in high demand. Average salaries for those entering the job market hovered around $61,000, but graduates from the nation’s top construction management programs can earn upwards of $70,000. If your company is in the market for a new hire, here’s a look at some of the best construction management programs in the United States.

Ranking the Top Five

College Factual, a data collection storehouse providing degree, program, and career information to students, faculty, and institutions, created a ranking of colleges and universities that offered bachelor’s degrees in construction management. Factors in their analysis included percentage of degree completion, student body academic caliber, educational resources, and reported post-collegiate earnings. They also considered factors like number of students applying to the program, accreditation by national accrediting bodies, and percentage of student body enrolled in construction management, as well as the overall quality of the school and student satisfaction. Here is their pick of the top five schools in the nation:

1. Arizona State University in Tempe offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorates in construction management. In 2018, their 81 bachelor’s graduates accepted national and international positions at an average salary of $70,000. ASU is ranked the #1 college in Arizona and #3 on College Factual’s list of Best Value Colleges for Construction Management.
2. Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA, is a small private school that offers degrees in construction management at the bachelor’s and master’s level. In 2018, this small school awarded 98 bachelor’s degrees and 22 master’s degrees. Recent graduates report starting salaries at just under $78,000. Wentworth Institute is ranked as the #1 Construction Management Colleges for Non-Traditional Students and the #2 School for Veterans.
3. Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, is a large school with a relatively small construction management program. It offers both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree and awarded 76 bachelor’s degrees in 2018 —a 38% growth rate in this up-and-coming program. Their graduates report starting salaries averaging $64,000. They are ranked as the #1 college in Virginia and #3 for Best Construction Management Colleges for Non-Traditional Students.
4. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a large public school offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in construction management. In 2018, they awarded 20 bachelor’s degrees and 12 master’s degrees. New graduate salaries were not available.
5. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College in Baton Rouge, LA, is a large urban college offering both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in construction management. In 2018, they handed out 161 bachelor’s degrees to graduates who reported an average starting salary of $65,000. This university awarded more construction management degrees than any other program in the country and was rated #6 in Best Construction Management Colleges for Non-Traditional Students.

The Runners-Up

Not everyone can be at the top! The following colleges and universities are also highly ranked and well-regarded for their construction management programs:

6. Clemson University in Clemson, SC
7. Brigham-Young University in Provo, UT
8. Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI
9. John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AZ
10. Washington State University in Pullman, WA
11. Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. MI
12. Appalachian State University in Boone, NC
13. Norwich University in Northfield, VT
14. Boise State University in Boise, ID
15. North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND
16. Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA
17. The University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA
18. Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS
19. The University of Alaska at Anchorage, AK
20. The University of Texas at Tyler, TX

Michael DeSafey is a leading executive recruiter for professionals in the construction, engineering and environmental industries. He is currently the President of Webuild Staffing www.webuildstaffing.com  . To learn more about Michael or to follow his blog please visit www.michaeldesafey.com