Construction

About Construction

Wondering whether Construction is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what Facilities Managers earn and how the role is projected to grow.

Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and masonry, the skilled trades building America's infrastructure, with union wages and persistent labor shortages driving strong demand. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $90,924, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 908 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 46,111 students complete a degree in this area every year.

Median Earnings · 1yr

$72,864

Median Earnings · 4yr

$90,924

Colleges Offering

908

Graduates / Year

46,111

Specializations

1

Avg Net Price / yr

$13,514

Is a Construction Degree Right for You?

Is the Investment Worth It?

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $90,924 against an estimated $54,056 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

How Much Do Construction Majors Earn?

Pay for Construction graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $72,864 one year after graduation, rising to $90,924 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, across all 908 US institutions offering programs in this field.

What Can You Do With a Construction Degree?

Career Paths for Construction Graduates

Studying Construction does not lock you into one job title. It opens 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Facilities Managers pays the most among them at a median $106,660 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.

Another common path leads to what an Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay typically earns and how the field is trending.

Construction Specializations

Construction spans 7 specializations, and the choice among them will not swing your paycheck much: four-year earnings run from $90,924 to $93,761 across the whole group. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data. Source: College Scorecard.

The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for a Construction Trades program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.

Best Colleges for Construction

These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in Construction, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for Ivy Tech Community College.

Ranked by number of Construction graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →

How Construction Compares to Similar Majors

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Construction degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.

Construction Degree: Pros & Cons

On the numbers that matter most financially, Construction beats most other majors: earnings are strong and the career field is growing. The 4 strengths and 0 trade-offs below are pulled from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS data, not editorial scoring.

Construction Degree: Frequently Asked Questions