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Bachelor’s in construction management

A construction management bachelor's program can give you the skills and credentials to oversee many types of building projects. Find out what your studies could look like in one of these programs and where it could lead you professionally.

Find online construction management programs

Why earn an online construction management bachelor's degree?

Learn project management

Develop the skills to plan, budget, and oversee construction projects of various sizes.

Transition between roles

Move into more desirable or senior roles with greater ease with a specialized bachelor's degree.

Work while you study

Continue to build your experience and earn some money while you pursue your degree.


What can you learn in a bachelor's in construction management program?

In a construction management bachelor's program, you can learn how to manage construction projects and make them more efficient and sustainable. These programs often include courses in project planning, financial management, and building codes.

A bachelor's in construction management degree can help graduates break into the construction industry or help experienced laborers transition their careers into more administrative positions.

What jobs can you get with a bachelor's in construction management degree?

Construction management bachelor's degrees may lead you down many career paths, depending on your experience, location, and chosen industry. Here are some possible options, with salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Construction managers

Construction managers oversee building projects on public, residential, and commercial jobs. They may handle planning, budgeting, and logistics, while ensuring the build meets code and client needs.

  • Median annual salary (May 2024):$106,980
  • Job outlook (2023–33): +9%

Cost estimators

Cost estimators analyze data to determine the expected costs required to complete a job. They project labor and material expenses as well as time to help with decisions and job bids.

  • Median annual salary (May 2024):$77,070
  • Job outlook (2023–33): -4%

Facilities managers

Facilities managers oversee the daily requirements for a building, including operations and maintenance. They may also be in control of the health and safety and security of the premises.

  • Median annual salary (May 2024):$106,880
  • Job outlook (2023–33): +6%

Bachelor's in construction management program curriculum

Most construction management bachelor's programs feature 120 credits spread across about four years of study. The curricula for these programs can vary, but some of the most common courses include:

  • Construction scheduling
  • Construction contracts
  • Construction engineering
  • Structure design
  • Cost estimating
  • Construction finance
  • Sustainable buildings
  • Construction safety
  • Project administration

Concentrations

Depending on your program, you may have the option to specialize in a construction subfield, such as:

  • General contracting: This concentration focuses on standard construction management requirements, including planning the labor, materials, and equipment for various jobs.
  • Land development: This concentration explores the process for evaluating and planning land development projects, including legal and environmental considerations.
  • Specialty construction: This concentration looks at the unique situations and considerations involved with atypical construction projects, such as mechanical and electrical builds.

Further education in construction management

After completing a construction management bachelor's program, you can further your education with a program. A master's degree could open the door to more senior-level leadership positions than a bachelor's degree.

A general master's in business administration (MBA) or an MBA in construction management could also work well for you if you hope to pursue a career in the business side of the industry instead of project management.

Admissions requirements for an online bachelor's in construction management

Every construction management bachelor's program has its own admissions process and requirements, but here are some of the things you might need:

  • Application fee
  • High school diploma or a GED certificate
  • Résumé
  • Personal statement
  • Letters of recommendation
  • ACT or SAT scores (if required)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best degree to run a construction company?

A construction management bachelor's degree can help prepare you to run a construction company, but an MBA in construction management may be best for this role because of the focus on business management.

What degree is best for a contractor?

A bachelor's in construction management might be the best degree for a contractor, because it prepares graduates to oversee construction projects from start to finish.

What is the highest-paid job in construction?

Construction managers garner some of the highest salaries in the industry, earning a median annual salary of $106,980, according to the BLS in May 2024. While not always a construction job, architectural and engineering managers make a higher median annual salary of $167,740.

Published July 24, 2025