by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Construction Project Management involves the study of A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Project Management Knowledge, Skills, Tools, And Techniques In The Construction And Facility Management Industries. Includes Instruction In Facilities Operations And Maintenance, Construction Estimating, Osha Standards, Sustainability, Drafting, Construction Plans, Project Planning, Risk Management, Cost And Time Management, Contracts And Procurement, Accounting, Statistics, Decision Making, And Human Resources. Read on to learn the key facts every construction project management student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering construction project management programs.
Across the country, construction project management is a popular field of study, with 12 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Construction Project Management Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for construction project management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of construction project management programs later in this article.
Coursework for Construction Project Management build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations construction project management graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a construction project management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a construction project management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several construction project management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 7 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to construction project management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 18.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 11.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 11.3% |
| Master’s degree | 8.8% |
| Some college courses | 7.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in construction project management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in construction project management can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to construction project management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to construction project management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Managers | 496,716 | -0.3% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
| Project Management Specialists | 68,476 | -2.8% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of construction project management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $73,015 |
| 4 years | $82,569 |
| 5 years | $93,031 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for construction project management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers construction project management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Construction Managers | $83,791 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
| Project Management Specialists | $64,559 |
With 2 different construction project management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased construction project management school rankings to help you.
Students interested in construction project management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Construction Management, General | 4,235 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
