2025 Best Colleges for Construction Management

Academic Highlights: Eight undergraduate colleges that offer 150+ distinct majors are housed within Virginia Tech. 34% of sections contain fewer than 20 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. Overall, 19% of recent graduates report participating in some type of undergraduate research experience, but landing such opportunities is much easier for members of the Honors College. Each year, more than 1,200 students avail themselves of the chance to study abroad in locations such as Switzerland, New Zealand, France, and Scotland.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 37% of the Class of 2023 were employed and 14% were in graduate school. Graduates work at major corporations including Deloitte, EY, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Kimley-Horn, Northrop Grumman, and Accenture. The median salary for 2023 graduates was $70,000. Among recent grads who decided to pursue an advanced degree, the greatest number stayed at VT, while others enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, George Washington University, UVA, UNC Chapel Hill, and Johns Hopkins.

Academic Highlights: With 16 colleges and 100 undergraduate majors to choose from, educational experiences are exceptionally diverse. UF impressively offers 50% of sections with an enrollment of fewer than 20 students. The Center for Undergraduate Research offers a University Research Scholars program as well as summer opportunities, hosts its own Undergraduate Research Symposium, and publishes its own UF Journal of Undergraduate Research. Forty percent of all undergrads have such an experience. The school has connections to 1,100 study abroad programs that are taken advantage of by more than 2,900 undergrads each year.

Professional Outcomes: The University of Florida demonstrates exceptional career preparation, with 83% of the Class of 2024 securing employment by graduation day. Gator alumni have established a strong presence at leading tech giants, with 200+ graduates currently working at Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Meta, and Oracle. The class achieved an impressive average starting salary of $68,000. For those continuing their education, popular graduate destinations include the University of South Florida, Nova Southeastern University, and Georgia Tech, showcasing UF’s strong pipeline to both immediate employment and advanced academic opportunities.

Academic Highlights: 180+ undergraduate majors are offered across twelve colleges/schools. Twenty-six percent of sections contain 50 or more students compared to 29% of sections that contain fewer than 20. Still, there are opportunities for personal connections with professors as evidenced by the fact that 80% of graduates complete research during their four years at UW. The study abroad rate of participation has climbed steadily since the turn of the millennium; 3,000 students each year spend a semester in a foreign locale.

Professional Outcomes: Within months of graduation, 62% of Class of 2023 grads were employed and 24% were continuing their education. The most popular employers of the Class of 2023 included Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Seattle Children’s, and Deloitte. Across all living alumni, 6,000+ work for Microsoft, and 4000+ work for each of Boeing and Amazon. Of those headed to graduate/professional school, most remain at UW itself. Large numbers of 2023 grads also headed to Columbia, UPenn, USC, and Johns Hopkins.

Academic Highlights: Across all divisions, there are 60+ majors and 80+ minors offered. The majority of courses–71%–fall between twenty and forty students. Cal Poly’s student-to-faculty ratio is a high 18:1, but such is the cost of an uber-affordable STEM degree from an excellent institution. One-quarter of students take advantage of the school’s robust study abroad program that offers learning opportunities in over seventy-five countries.

Professional Outcomes: Within nine months of graduating, 89% of graduates are “positively engaged” in their next life activity. Top employers of Cal Poly grads include many of the country’s top firms, such as SpaceX, Deloitte, PwC, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, EY, and Apple. Overall, grads enjoy a terrific median starting salary of $78,000. Of the 10% of alumni who directly enter graduate school, the most commonly attended schools are all in California.

Academic Highlights: Colorado State University provides students with a dynamic academic environment offering 74 undergraduate degree programs supported by a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. While 33% of courses maintain an intimate setting with fewer than 20 students, another 22% feature larger lecture-style classes, creating diverse learning experiences. CSU shines in hands-on learning, with 5,000+ undergraduates engaging in research annually and one in four students gaining global perspectives through study abroad or international programs—demonstrating the university’s commitment to experiential education at scale.

Professional Outcomes: CSU graduates achieve remarkable career success, with 90% of the Class of 2023 securing employment or graduate school placement within six months. An impressive 72% completed internships, contributing to strong outcomes where 87% landed jobs aligned with their career goals, and 69% overall were employed. Alumni thrive at industry leaders like Lockheed Martin, Deloitte, and Fidelity Investments, while those continuing their education frequently choose top public research universities, including the University of Colorado system, Arizona State, and the University of Washington. With an average starting salary of $57,461, CSU proves the value of its academic programs.

Academic Highlights: There are 250+ undergraduate majors and 18 schools and colleges housed within OSU. A 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to fairly large classes as only 40% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, so expect a fair number of courses in a large lecture hall setting. Still, aggressive students can find opportunities to work closely with faculty. The Office of Undergraduate Research & Inquiry helps approximately 600 students per year participate in undergraduate research forums. All told, approximately 20% of students gain research experience. Last year, nearly 1,800 undergraduates elected to study abroad in one of 350+ short- and long-term programs spread across 70 countries; OSU has the third-highest study abroad enrollment numbers in the Big 10.

Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their diplomas, 64% of Class of 2023 graduates entered the world of employment while 14% were already accepted into graduate or professional school.  Hordes of Buckeyes can be found at many of the nation’s leading companies. More than 2,000 alumni work for JPMorgan Chase, and more than 500 work for Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Of the grads who directly matriculate into graduate or professional school, many continue in one of OSU’s own programs.

Academic Highlights: This highly regarded state institution boasts over 400 areas of study—undergraduate, graduate, and professional—across 17 degree-granting colleges. A 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio rates in the average range for public universities of MSU’s size and scope. Class sizes are a genuine mix of small seminars and giant lecture halls. In one recent year, 55% percent of undergraduate course sections contain fewer than 30 students; just 23% enrolled more than 50. Undergraduate research opportunities do exist for those bold enough to pursue them; 36% of recent grads completed one such experience. Around 25% of undergrads study abroad at one of 260 programs located in 60+ countries.

Professional Outcomes: Within months of strutting across the graduation stage, 63% of Class of 2023 members had landed full-time employment, 25% were pursuing advanced degrees, and 4% were still looking for a job. The top employers of this group included big names like the State of Michigan, General Motors, the US Federal Government, Ford Motor Company, and PepsiCo. The median starting salary earned was $64,149. Among the grad schools favored by recent alumni are the University of Michigan, New York University, Columbia University, and Northwestern University.

Academic Highlights: Required coursework for BYU undergraduates includes a number of courses in the Mormon faith as well as an extensive core curriculum that supports BYU’s larger mission “to provide an education that is (1) spiritually strengthening, (2) intellectually enlarging, and (3) character building, leading to (4) lifelong learning and service.”  A 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio translates to some undergraduate sections being a bit large. However, those lecture hall courses are balanced with classes of more modest size; 46% of courses have nineteen or fewer students. The school does an excellent job getting undergraduate students involved in hands-on research.

Professional Outcomes: By a wide margin, the two largest employers of BYU alums are the university itself and Intermountain Healthcare. However, there are hundreds of Cougars working at major corporations including Deloitte, Raytheon Technologies, Goldman Sachs, and Amazon. The median salary of a 2023 grad was $64,000. Brigham Young is in the same league with Berkeley, Cornell, the University of Michigan, and the University of Wisconsin in terms of producing future PhDs. Over the past decade, more than 3,000 alumni have gone on to earn doctoral degrees.

Academic Highlights: Students can select from 150+ bachelor’s degrees at App State. A reasonable 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to 39% of all course sections having fewer than 20 students and just 8% enrolling 50 or more. Students can engage in faculty-mentored projects through programs like the Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA), which provides paid positions to support faculty research. Additionally, students are encouraged to present their work at events such as the annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors.

Professional Outcomes: Within one year of graduating, 86% of those surveyed have arrived at their next destination. Alumni go on to work in large numbers for Wells Fargo, Lowe’s, Bank of America, Atrium Health, Novant Health, and Duke Energy Corporation. For the 28% of grads pursuing further education, alumni enrolled in programs at UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and East Carolina University.

Academic Highlights: Louisiana State University provides one of the nation’s most comprehensive academic catalogs with 330 fields of study spanning virtually every discipline. While maintaining an accessible 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, LSU delivers surprisingly personalized attention—43% of classes enroll 19 or fewer students. The university excels in early research engagement through programs like LSU Freshman Explorers, where first-year students receive paid research training and faculty mentorship. Global learning thrives with 110+ study abroad locations, ensuring students can complement their Baton Rouge education with international perspectives.

Professional Outcomes: Tigers roar into successful careers, with 60% of graduates entering the workforce at top employers like Chevron, Deloitte, and Ochsner Health, while 19% pursue advanced degrees. Alumni command strong average starting salaries of $69,446—particularly impressive for the Gulf South region. While many continue their education within the LSU system, others ascend to prestigious programs at Tulane, Loyola New Orleans, and the University of Houston, demonstrating the portability of an LSU degree across competitive professional and academic markets.

Academic Highlights: There are 150 majors available across eight freshman-admitting undergraduate colleges. A 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio is deployed effectively so that 65% of sections enroll 29 or fewer students. No matter your field of study, you can utilize UM’s well-maintained database of upcoming faculty research projects as a way to connect directly with the professor of your choice; more than 2,000 undergraduates participate in a research or creative project every year. An outstanding 30% of UMTC students study abroad during their academic career with the most popular destinations being Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Professional Outcomes: Over 1000 alumni work at Target, Medtronic, 3M, and U.S. Bank; Amazon, Google, Cargill, and Microsoft employ 500+ UMN graduates each. The average starting salary across all majors is approximately 60k and recent employers include Boeing, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, Abbott, IBM, EcoLab, Boston Scientific, Wells Fargo, Google, Apple, and Microsoft and Epic. With 130 graduate programs, the University of Minnesota retains many of its graduates as they pursue their next degrees.

Academic Highlights: Class sizes are mixed, and many sections are smaller than you would expect for such a large university where the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. Fourteen percent of classes have single-digit enrollments, and 57% contain fewer than 30 students; 17% of courses are larger, playing host to fifty or more undergraduates. More than half of Clemson students participate in some type of undergraduate research, a strong percentage given the size of the school. Each year over 1,400 students elect to study abroad in one of Clemson’s own programs or one offered by a third party.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 93% of 2023 grads had already entered the working world or were pursuing a graduate degree. The top employers of newly-minted diploma holders include Prisma Health, Boeing, Bank of America, and Epic Systems. Computing and Applied Sciences reported a median starting salary of $75,000. College of Business graduates enjoyed median earnings of $61,000. Of the 18% of recent graduates directly entering grad school, the largest number retained their Tiger stripes by continuing their studies at Clemson.

Academic Highlights: There are over 100 undergraduate majors to choose from at Drexel.  The university offers a reasonable 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio with commensurately reasonable class sizes. Fifty-one percent of sections contain 19 or fewer students, and just 9% of sections contain 50 or more. Drexel students are encouraged to begin seeking undergraduate research opportunities “as early as the freshman year.” An array of research-oriented co-ops exist at local hospitals, museums, and pharmaceutical companies as well. With the emphasis on co-op education, it can be difficult to carve out time to study abroad while at Drexel. In a typical year, roughly 900 students manage to study internationally at one of 60 locations. Co-ops in foreign countries are another way to access the benefits of this type of experience.

Professional Outcomes: One year after graduating, 97% of Dragons have arrived at their next destination; 94% of full-time graduates were satisfied with their position and 87% were working in professions related to their field of study. The largest employers of Drexel alumni are Children’s Hospital of Philadephia, Penn Medicine, Comcast, Lockheed Martin, and Vanguard. The average salary for Drexel grads with a full-time job was $68,650.

Academic Highlights: SDSU has nearly 160 undergraduate majors, minors, and pre-professional programs. Classes tend to be on the large side—27% of course sections enroll more than 40 students, and only 28% of sections contain fewer than 20 students. The Undergraduate Research Program pairs students with faculty mentors to work on research, scholarship, or creative projects. In total, 1,740 undergrads are involved in research every year. An incredible 700 study abroad programs can be accessed and the school ranks third in the country in terms of the sheer number of students taking a semester in a foreign country.

Professional Outcomes: At the time of receiving their degrees, roughly 75% of newly minted SDSU graduates already have their next phase of life planned. Thirty-four percent of recent grads had secured full-time employment, 21% were engaged in military service/volunteer work/part-time employment, and 17% were entering graduate or professional school. Recent employers of SDSU grads include Marriott, Vanguard, Google, Sherwin Williams, Disney, Deloitte, Chase, and the City of San Diego. San Diego keeps 65% of grads while Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orange County also have fairly strong representation.

Academic Highlights: Wentworth Institute of Technology specializes in career-focused education through five targeted areas of study encompassing 21 majors. With a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 43% of classes under 20 students, Wentworth combines the resources of a technical institute with personalized attention. The crown jewel of its academics is the mandatory co-op program—one of America’s most comprehensive—requiring every student to complete two semesters of paid, degree-aligned work experience before graduation, ensuring unparalleled career readiness.

Professional Outcomes: Wentworth’s employment outcomes speak volumes: 93% of the Class of 2023 secured career positions or graduate school admission within six months, commanding a remarkable median starting salary of $71,000. Alumni have strong representation at Massachusetts General Hospital, Raytheon, and top construction firms like Turner and Gilbane. For those continuing their education, popular destinations include Northeastern University and the University of San Diego, though many return to Wentworth for advanced degrees—a testament to the institute’s respected industry reputation.

Academic Highlights: Boise State University offers students a robust selection of 200+ academic programs across seven distinct colleges, blending comprehensive offerings with personalized attention through its 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university strikes a thoughtful balance with class sizes—you’ll find small, discussion-based courses (40% under 20 students) alongside larger lectures (just 9% over 50 students), ensuring the right environment for every learning style.. This flexible academic structure allows students to tailor their educational experience while benefiting from the resources of Idaho’s largest public research institution.

Professional Outcomes: Boise State serves as a powerful talent pipeline for the Gem State, with 75% of graduates securing their next career or educational step within six months—73% of whom remain in Idaho, contributing directly to the state’s workforce. An impressive 86% of employed alumni report their positions align with their career aspirations, demonstrating the university’s strong connection to regional employer needs. Major employers include healthcare leaders (St. Luke’s, St. Alphonsus), education systems (Boise School District), and tech innovators (Micron Technology), while those pursuing advanced degrees typically choose between Idaho’s premier public institutions—Boise State, University of Idaho, and Idaho State University.

Academic Highlights: Mississippi State University delivers a comprehensive academic experience with 175+ undergraduate and graduate programs across nine colleges. The university maintains an ideal balance of resources and personal attention—its 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports classroom environments where 45% of sections have fewer than 20 students, while only 14% exceed 50 enrollees. This thoughtful approach ensures students benefit from both close faculty interaction and the dynamic energy of larger lectures when appropriate.

Professional Outcomes: MSU graduates hit the ground running—95% of the Class of 2024 secured employment or graduate school placement immediately after commencement. The majority (69%) launched careers with top employers like International Paper, Paccar, and federal agencies like the U.S. Air Force and the USDA, while 27% pursued advanced degrees. Bulldogs enjoy strong financial returns, with median earnings equaling $64,600 early in careers and nearly doubling to $113,900 by mid-career, demonstrating the lasting value of an MSU education in today’s competitive job market.

Academic Highlights: The University of Oklahoma offers students a robust selection of 170+ academic programs with the ideal balance of a large research university’s resources and personalized attention (17:1 student-faculty ratio). OU excels in undergraduate research through its innovative Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (UReCA), established in 2022 as a centralized hub that awards 50 competitive summer fellowships annually and hosts the UReCA Showcase. This commitment to hands-on learning is complemented by global perspectives, with 25% of Sooners participating in international experiences.

Professional Outcomes: OU graduates launch successful careers quickly, with 79% of the Class of 2024 entering the workforce directly at top employers like Boeing, Paycom, and the U.S. Air Force, earning an average starting salary of $59,000. Other Sooners continue their education at prestigious institutions, including OU’s Health Sciences Center, SMU, and Oklahoma State’s Center for Health Sciences. These outcomes demonstrate OU’s dual strength in preparing students for immediate career success and advanced academic pursuits, particularly in Oklahoma’s key industries.

Academic Highlights: The University of Tennessee offers an expansive academic experience with 360+ undergraduate programs across 14 colleges and schools, supported by 1,900+ faculty members. While the university’s scale is impressive, its class sizes remain manageable—62% of courses enroll fewer than 30 students, including 28% with under 19 students, all supported by an 18:1 student-faculty ratio. Research opportunities abound through the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, while global engagement is strengthened by 500+ study abroad programs. UT’s academic excellence is further demonstrated by its consistent recognition as a top producer of Fulbright scholars.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 91% of Vols alumni achieve career success—61% entering employment and 30% continuing to graduate studies. Leading employers include UT Medical Center, Axle Logistics, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, with graduates earning a strong median starting salary of $62,000. Those pursuing advanced degrees predominantly stay within Tennessee’s strong academic network, favoring institutions like UT’s own campuses, Lincoln Memorial University, and Belmont University.

Academic Highlights: There are more than 100 majors at the University of Nebraska and students enjoy a mix of smaller classes (47% have fewer than 20 students) and larger ones (20% have more than 50). The University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers robust undergraduate research opportunities across all majors through programs like UCARE, which funds student-led projects under faculty mentorship, and FYRE, designed to introduce first-year students to research

Professional Outcomes: Businesses employing more than 100 graduates each include Mutual of Omaha, Kiewit, Fiserv, Union Pacific Railroad, Olsson, and Hudl. Median pay for graduates early in their career is $64,900 and most Cornhuskers remain in Nebraska post-graduation, settling in Lincoln and Omaha.

Academic Highlights: Kansas State University offers 250+ majors, minors, and certificates across a broad range of disciplines, combining the breadth of a large public university with a surprisingly intimate classroom experience—46% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio stands at 18:1. Through the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry, Wildcats can dive into mentored projects, present at symposia, and secure grants to fund their work, ensuring hands-on learning complements rigorous academics.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 96% of K-State alumni are employed or enrolled in further education. Top employers for recent grads include industry leaders like Burns & McDonnell, Cargill, Garmin, and Koch Industries, with 30% earning starting salaries above $70,000. For those pursuing advanced degrees, popular destinations include K-State itself, the University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri, reflecting the university’s strong regional and professional networks.

Academic Highlights: Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) delivers a rigorous, hands-on education through 24 undergraduate majors and nine graduate programs, all supported by an exceptional 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. With an average class size of 19 and over one-third of courses enrolling fewer than 20 students, MSOE ensures personalized mentorship from day one—no large lecture halls required. The university’s distinctive “applied learning” model prioritizes real-world skills, offering more lab spaces than traditional classrooms to provide unparalleled technical training.

Professional Outcomes: This school has a lot to brag about in terms of postgraduation outcomes, starting with a 98% placement rate and an average starting salary of $75,532. Students regularly take advantage of the Career Connections Center and connect with the school’s corporate partners, which include Cognex, Miller Electric, HED, Associated Bank, Milwaukee Tool, Badger Meter, Generac, Hydrite, Nordco, and ULINE.

Academic Highlights: SUNY ESF offers an intensely focused environmental education through 27 undergraduate programs, all supported by an exceptional 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The crown jewel of ESF’s hands-on learning is its renowned Ranger School, where students immerse themselves in the college’s 2,800-acre Adirondack classroom, working alongside faculty on real forestry and conservation projects. This “living laboratory” approach extends across all programs, blending rigorous academics with unparalleled field experience that prepares students to tackle pressing environmental challenges.

Professional Outcomes: ESF’s career outcomes are as impressive as its natural surroundings—90% of the Class of 2023 secured positions in their field, with 86% working in roles directly related to their major. Graduates are in high demand at environmental leaders like the USDA Forest Service and the Wildlife Conservation Society, as well as cutting-edge firms like Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Constellation Energy. Those continuing their education ascend to top programs at Cornell, the University of Pennsylvania, and Ohio State, though many choose to remain at ESF for advanced study—a testament to the college’s respected graduate offerings and lifelong learning community.

Academic Highlights: Michigan Tech stands as the Great Lakes State’s premier STEM institution, offering 120 degree programs and 86 minors across cutting-edge technological fields. With an excellent 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, nearly half (46%) of all classes maintain an intimate sub-20 student enrollment, ensuring meaningful faculty interaction. The university’s research enterprise spans 15 specialized centers tackling critical challenges across 13 focus areas, while global opportunities abound—including the transformative Semester at Sea program that takes Huskies on a 100-day voyage to up to 12 emerging nations.

Professional Outcomes: Michigan Tech’s industry connections yield exceptional results, with 93% of alumni successfully placed and commanding a strong median starting salary of $71,516. The university’s career fairs attract 400+ companies annually, creating pipelines to automotive leaders like GM, Ford, and Stellantis; heavy industry titans Caterpillar and Cummins; and healthcare technology developers like Medtronic. These outcomes validate Michigan Tech’s hands-on approach to technological education, producing graduates who immediately contribute to America’s industrial and energy sectors.

Academic Highlights: Florida Institute of Technology offers students an exceptional STEM-focused education through 200+ degree programs across four colleges, all supported by an intimate 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This personalized approach shines in the classroom, where nearly half of all courses maintain fewer than 19 students, creating ideal conditions for mentorship and hands-on learning. Florida Tech’s elite status as one of only 46 Astronaut Scholarship Foundation partner universities underscores its strength in aerospace and engineering education, providing unique opportunities for students to connect with space industry leaders.

Professional Outcomes: Florida Tech graduates achieve outstanding career trajectories, with 94% securing employment or graduate school placement (62% enter the workforce and 32% continue their education). The university serves as a top talent pipeline for aerospace and defense leaders, including NASA, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, as well as tech innovators like L3Harris. These industry connections yield impressive financial returns: alumni command median salaries of $74,500 early in their careers, growing to $126,400 by mid-career—proof of Florida Tech’s ability to launch high-value STEM careers in today’s competitive technological landscape.