Numerous schools across the U.S. offer construction management degree programs. Some of these programs are located on college campuses near big cities where jobs are readily available.
In this article, we will highlight schools that have construction management degree programs near large municipalities, where there is tremendous employment opportunity because of the sheer number of construction companies that are looking to hire qualified graduates.
Utilize our list to help you decide where to apply for a construction management degree program near you.
Where to Find Construction Management Programs in Big Cities
Our list is based on the population of the Top 15 largest U.S. cities, according to the 2020 census. Consider the opportunity to apply for a construction management degree program at one of the following universities. Each program is certified by either the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) or the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
1. New York City – SUNY Delhi
The state of New York boasts many great colleges and universities with ACCE accredited construction management degree programs. Most are located in Upstate New York. The closest to New York City that is also within the state of New York is SUNY Delhi.
SUNY Delhi offers a four-year Bachelor of Technology (BT) degree in Construction Management: Design and Building. As one of the leading construction schools in the Northeast U.S., SUNY Delhi will prepare graduates to lead construction projects for everything from shopping centers to office buildings. Learn more about their degree program at Delhi.edu.
2. Los Angeles – Cal State System
Similar to New York, you can find accredited construction management degree programs throughout the state of California. Specific to Los Angeles, we will highlight two schools in Los Angeles County that are part of the California State University school system.
– California State University, Long Beach (also known as Long Beach State) offers a degree program in Construction Management. Graduates of their accredited undergraduate program can find work for local construction companies that support a variety of projects. Find out more at CSULB.edu.
– California State University, Northridge (a/k/a Cal State Northridge or CSUN) also offers a degree program in Construction Management. The four-year program covers construction principles and incorporates other educational areas such as business law, advanced math, and real estate. Find out more at CSUN.edu.
3. Chicago – In-State Options
Unfortunately, there are no ACCE or ABET accredited degree programs in the Chicagoland area. The nearest programs can be found in the southern part of Illinois at two universities.
– Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. offers a Construction Management major that prepares construction leaders for the building construction industry. Their program focuses on production, technical, and management capabilities, as opposed to design and craft skills. Find out more at IllinoisState.edu.
– Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. offers a Construction Management degree program that provides students with a core understanding of engineering, architecture, business, and leadership principles. The goal is to launch out graduates into successful careers in construction-related professions. Find out more at Bradley.edu.
4. Houston Area – The University of Houston and A&M
As the fourth largest city in the U.S., Houston is fertile ground for construction professionals. Some of the premier construction companies in the country call Houston home. As a result, the Greater Houston area has two great options for construction management degree programs.
– The American Institute of Constructors (AIC) has a long-standing relationship with the University of Houston to support their Construction Management degree program. Houston utilizes our AIC Certification exam to confirm that students have obtained necessary skills and experience to enter into the construction industry.
Through the degree program offered at Houston, students gain access to real-world experience learning from locally-integrated construction companies that will lead to career opportunities. Learn more about their degree program at UH.edu.
– Just about an hour and a half away in College Station, aspiring construction professionals can pursue construction management education at Texas A&M University. The university’s Department of Construction Science (COSC) offers a Master of Science in Construction Management (MSCM).
The program serves a wide range of students, including individuals with extensive experience in construction to those with little experience that are seeking a path to enter the construction industry. Find out more about the degree program at TAMU.edu.
5. Phoenix – Arizona State University
Among the Top 10 most populated U.S. cities, Phoenix recorded the highest growth in the 2020 census. That means a lot of construction job opportunities building new structures to support the growing population.
One of the top universities for construction management near Phoenix is Arizona State University, located about 20 miles away in Tempe. ASU offers a construction management degree program that is designed to meet a growing need for constructors to possess advanced technical, management, and applied research skills to support construction projects.
– Learn more about the construction degree program offered by Arizona State at asu.edu.
6. Philadelphia – Drexel University
Located in one of the original U.S. cities, Drexel University offers a Construction Management degree program that helps prepare students for success in the construction industry.
Drexel boasts deep relationships with business leaders in the community that create instant credibility for graduates of the program. Students will learn best practices in technology, safety, and project management to prepare for a successful career as a construction industry leader.
– Learn more about the Drexel Engineering Construction Management program at Drexel.edu.
7. San Antonio – UTSA
As Central Texas continues to rapidly grow, there are tremendous construction opportunities. The University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) offers a Construction Science and Management degree program to prepare students for growing opportunities in construction management.
The program focuses on helping students understand how to coordinate and supervise projects, satisfy budget and time requirements, and meet industry standards. Graduates will have access to numerous professional construction industry career opportunities – both in the field and in the office.
– Learn more about the UTSA degree program at UTSA.edu.
8. San Diego – Visit LA
The second-most populated city in California boasts several colleges and universities. A handful of these institutions in San Diego offer construction programs, but they are not accredited by ACCE or ABET.
The nearest accredited Construction Management degree program is located up the coast in Los Angeles County at California State University, Long Beach.
9. Dallas – Dallas College and UTA
There are many colleges and universities in the Dallas-Forth Worth (DFW) metroplex. We will highlight two opportunities to find a construction degree program in this region of Texas.
– Dallas College North Lake Campus offers an ACCE accredited degree program that serves students in Irving and northern Dallas County. The Construction Management program at North Lake is the largest accredited two-year program in the country. It is one of only 11 of its kind accredited by ACCE. Learn more about the program at DallasCollege.edu.
– The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) offers an ABET accredited Construction Management degree program that offers students the opportunity to pursue a wide range of career paths in construction and outside of construction. Learn more about their broad education program at UTA.edu.
10. San Jose – California State Sacramento
There are multiple colleges and universities in Silicon Valley/Northern California that offer various certifications or specialized programs related to construction management. However, we will take you to the capital city of California in Sacramento to find an accredited degree program.
California State University, Sacramento (a/k/a Sacramento State) offers a Construction Management program that focuses on preparing construction leaders to support the construction of complex projects. The program also emphasizes the AEC relationship to understand how to translate the work of architects and engineers into tangible structures.
– Learn more about the program in Sacramento at CSUS.edu.
11. Austin – Texas State University
For an accredited construction management degree program in Central Texas, you will want to travel about an hour south of Austin to San Marcos to visit Texas State University.
Texas State offers an accredited Construction Management degree program. Graduates of this program will obtain marketable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making to support construction projects. Graduates will leave with a solid understanding of project management principles. Learn more about their program at TXState.edu.
12. Jacksonville – University of North Florida
AIC appreciates our partnership with the University of North Florida (UNF), whose students have participated in our Collegiate Ethics Competition. As the most populated city in the state of Florida, you can find a robust construction degree program at UNF in Jacksonville.
UNF offers a management-oriented Construction Management program that provides students with leadership training and a great education to prepare for future roles in the construction industry.
– Learn more about the UNF degree program at UNF.edu.
13. Fort Worth – Tarrant County College
Located in the southernmost portion of Fort Worth, Texas, the South Campus of Tarrant County College offers an accredited Construction Management Technology program.
The program prepares future leaders for the construction industry through real-world experience, projects, competition, and student-centered teaching. Graduates will be prepared to launch a career in the commercial, industrial, or residential construction fields.
– Learn more about the degree program at TCCD.edu.
14. Columbus – Ohio State University
We now move to the Midwest, where you can find job opportunities after going through the Ohio State University in Columbus. Ohio State offers two distinct construction degree programs: Construction Management and Construction Systems Management.
The Construction Management program prepares graduates for management careers in the construction industry with an emphasis on building construction. Meanwhile, the Construction Systems Management program allows students to gain hands-on experience in construction while completing other undergraduate coursework.
– Learn more about the offerings at Ohio State by visiting OSU.edu.
15. Indianapolis – Multiple Options
The 15th big city on our list includes multiple colleges and universities in the Indianapolis, Indiana region that could position you for success in the construction industry.
– Purdue University in West Lafayette offers a Construction Management Technology Degree that will provide students with the skills they need to become a leader in construction companies that are globally connected.
– IUPUI in Indianapolis offers a Construction Management program that provides students with foundational knowledge in specific construction areas such as contracts, field operations, costs, bidding, scheduling, project control, safety, and construction ethics.
– Indiana State University, which is about an hour away in Terre Haute, offers a bachelor of science degree program in Construction Management. The program focuses on education and technical skill development to help students step into leadership roles.
Honorable Mention: FIU in Miami
Miami is further down the list of most-populated U.S. cities at #44, but the city does host one of the top Construction Management degree programs in the county.
Florida International University (FIU) offers an accredited Construction Management degree program through the Moss Department of Construction Management. The school ranks #2 in the state of Florida thanks to what the school describes as “the preeminent center for advancement and dissemination of construction knowledge.”
Learn more about this excellent construction management program at CM.FIU.edu.
Find Schools That Have Construction Management Near You
We have highlighted some of the top colleges and universities for construction management near the largest cities in the U.S. There are numerous other institutions that offer construction degree programs across the country.
We encourage you to learn more about programs near you on the ACCE website or the ABET website. Take time to find the ideal construction program that fits your career goals in construction. This way, you will be well-positioned for a successful career as a construction leader.
– Stay in touch with AIC. Subscribe to our eNews so that we can continue to provide you with valuable information and resources throughout your career in construction management. Simply drop your email address in the sign-up box at the bottom of this page. We look forward to supporting you on your journey in construction management.
