by our College Data Analytics TeamStudents who are interested in jobs in construction usually enjoy science and math minded and like to work with their hands. This field involves the nitty-gritty of building, repair and maintenance of buildings, homes and establishments.
In addition to more common majors such as Construction, Building Management & Inspection or Electrical Power Transmission Installation, there are a number of other majors or concentrations you could pursue.
One, for example is that of Plumbing and Water Supply. This is necessary in order to have running water, protect against fires, and have proper heating and cooling systems. A major in Plumbing and Water Supply will teach you technical knowledge and skills you need to layout, install, test, and operate water and sewer systems.
Some other things students can study are Well Drilling, Insulation, Metal Building Assembly and anything else associated with building and maintaining homes, residences and commercial buildings. In addition to acquiring technical knowledge of their subject, students will also take classes in reading blueprints, physics, math, and chemistry. This major is commonly offered as a certificate, however can be taken as an associate's degree.
A degree in Other Construction involves the study of Construction Trades, Other. Read on to learn the essential details every other construction major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering other construction programs.
Nationwide, other construction is a widely-pursued major, with 281 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Other Construction Schools ranking analyzes these 25 schools to determine the best overall colleges for other construction students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of other construction programs later in this article.
This major is for the student interested in all the details of building and repair. Students should enjoy building things and putting things together. It helps to have logical reasoning skills and competency in math and science. Attention to detail will aid you when reading blueprints and analyzing designs.
Most programs require student to complete an apprenticeship in order to gain work experience and to learn the fundamentals first hand. This typically involves working alongside a professional within the field, in addition to practice hours in the classroom.
There are several other construction 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 | 55 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 38 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 147 |
Students who pursue a career in plumbing and water wupply will often obtain jobs as blasters, drillers, plumbers and pipefitters. Blasters use various explosive materials to aid the construction process. They work in the first stages of building to prepare the land to be constructed on. Pipefitters and plumbers install and repair pipes that carry air, water, and streams of liquid and gas throughout the buildings. Drillers operate, repair and maintain drilling equipment to develop gas, oil, and water wells. Other jobs in this field are construction manager, insulator, building construction technician, roofer, carpenter and more.
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of other construction graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,515 |
| 4 years | $46,634 |
| 5 years | $52,735 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
With 25 different other construction programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased other construction school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in other construction, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Construction Trades, Other | 281 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 35,577 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | 6,978 |
| Carpenters | 5,356 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | 3,471 |
| CONSTRUCTION TRADES | 2,761 |
| Mason/Masonry | 378 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
