What are the differences between a traditional or online Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Construction Management degrees?–

Both B.S. and B.A. in Construction Management degrees equip undergraduates with a solid foundation in business management skills and construction management practices. But their main differences lie in the following aspects: Curriculum emphasis: B.S. programs usually have a stronger focus on the technical aspects of construction management with courses in mathematics, applied technology, and engineering. B.A. programs feature a broad curriculum with more liberal arts courses like social sciences and humanities. Training: B.S. programs usually include more hands-on learning experiences in real-world construction projects while B.A. programs emphasize leadership skills. Career focus: B.S. programs prepare students for occupations that require technical backgrounds, such as construction supervisors and project engineers, while B.A. programs are for students who want to take on managerial roles (e.g., business development and consulting). There’s no right or wrong between the B.S. and B.A. in construction management degrees. Instead, you must consider your personal interests and professional goals when making your choice.

What are the admission requirements for online bachelor’s in construction management degree programs?–

The admission requirements, process, and criteria among online construction management programs differ, but the common requirements include: High school diploma or GED equivalent with satisfactory GPA Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) Official transcripts. Letters of recommendation, statement of intent, and current resume may also be required. Due to the technical nature of construction management, online programs usually have selective admissions criteria.

When getting a bachelor’s in construction management, what courses are offered?–

Bachelor’s degree programs in construction management typically feature extensive curriculum with at least 120 credits. While the curriculum for online bachelor’s in construction management vary, these are the main parts of a construction management program: General education courses include courses in mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and English composition. Core construction management courses cover topics in construction materials and methods, construction contracts and law, construction safety, and construction project controls, among other fundamental aspects of construction management. Technical courses include building codes and standards, mechanical and electrical systems, and soil mechanics and foundations. Management and business courses build the student’s business management skills and include topics in construction accounting, human resources management, and financial management. Elective courses expand the student’s knowledge in specific areas, such as green building and sustainability, construction dispute resolution, and construction technology and innovation. Students who want to earn the online bachelor’s in construction management may also be required to complete either a capstone project requirement that demonstrates their mastery of the fundamentals or an internship in the construction industry.

What are the professional organizations in the construction management industry?–

Look into these organizations and take advantage of their networking and professional development opportunities: American Society of Professional Estimators. Associated General Contractors of America. National Association of Home Builders. National Society of Professional Engineers. Society of American Military Engineers. Design-Build Institute of America

Best Online Bachelor’s in Construction Management Degree Programs

Badge for BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

By Dr. James Barham

Published: Aug 27, 2021
Updated: Feb 12, 2024

Table of Contents

The best online construction management bachelor’s degrees lead to successful careers in the construction industry, which is one of the largest industries in the United States and worldwide! At its core, a bachelor’s degree in construction management is an undergraduate degree that ensures student readiness for the challenges of managing construction projects from start to finish.

The best construction management programs are offered by accredited national and regional universities, many of which have programmatic accreditation.

Here, you will find the best online bachelor’s in construction management degree programs for students that will provide both the technical and managerial foundation needed to excel in a variety of construction-related careers.

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Management Degrees

Earning a bachelor’s degree in construction management will provide both the technical and managerial foundation needed to excel in diverse occupations in the construction industry! With your construction management degree, you possess knowledge and skills tailored specifically to construction management jobs, from being a construction manager to a quality and safety controller.

The best construction management degree programs feature curricula that cover essential topics in construction project management, finance and accounting, and compliance with laws and safety practices, among others.

If you’re already in the construction management field, your career advancement opportunities improve, too, with a bachelor’s degree. You can climb the ladder and become a site supervisor or a construction project manager, particularly when combined with relevant and sufficient work experience. With career advancement or promotion also comes increased earning potential, of course!

An online bachelor’s degree in construction management has diverse applications, thanks to the diversity of the construction industry itself. Residential buildings, commercial and industrial structures, and civil engineering infrastructures are just a few examples of the diverse projects that skilled construction managers can work in. Indeed, there is a constant need for skilled construction management professionals, even during economic recessions.

Online construction management programs offer stellar networking opportunities that students can take advantage of, whether they are new to the construction industry or a veteran. Networking opens doors to internships, employment opportunities, and professional development opportunities that will strengthen your place in the construction industry.

If you want to become an entrepreneur in the construction industry, you will gain both the business skills, construction management competencies, and confidence to start your own business. You can choose to become a construction company proprietor, general contractor, or a construction consultant.

Online construction management programs use learning management systems (where classes are conducted, course materials are delivered, and students are evaluated, among other learning-related activities. The use of a learning management system complements the emphasis on the use of technology in construction management, and these technologies include Building Information Modeling, Microsoft Project, virtual and augmented reality, and cloud computing.

Of course, technical skills are best when combined with transferable skills and online construction management programs emphasize skills development in both areas. Communication, critical thinking, analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills are among the soft skills that online students develop through didactic coursework and hands-on learning experiences.

It is important to note that it is crucial to choose from bachelor’s degrees in construction management online programs offered by accredited colleges and universities. Accreditation from colleges and schools commission agencies not only guarantees academic quality but also ensures that your bachelor’s degree and credentials are recognized by the construction management field and construction industry.

Aside from regional accreditation for their mother institutions, an online degree program offering the best construction management degrees should have accreditations from the ACCE-American Council for Construction Education or the ABET-Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

two construction managers look over a construction project

Both B.S. and B.A. in Construction Management degrees equip undergraduates with a solid foundation in business management skills and construction management practices. But their main differences lie in the following aspects:

Curriculum emphasis: B.S. programs usually have a stronger focus on the technical aspects of construction management with courses in mathematics, applied technology, and engineering. B.A. programs feature a broad curriculum with more liberal arts courses like social sciences and humanities.
Training: B.S. programs usually include more hands-on learning experiences in real-world construction projects while B.A. programs emphasize leadership skills.
Career focus: B.S. programs prepare students for occupations that require technical backgrounds, such as construction supervisors and project engineers, while B.A. programs are for students who want to take on managerial roles (e.g., business development and consulting).

There’s no right or wrong between the B.S. and B.A. in construction management degrees. Instead, you must consider your personal interests and professional goals when making your choice.

The admission requirements, process, and criteria among online construction management programs differ, but the common requirements include:

High school diploma or GED equivalent with satisfactory GPA
Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)
Official transcripts

Letters of recommendation, statement of intent, and current resume may also be required. Due to the technical nature of construction management, online programs usually have selective admissions criteria.

construction manager shows building plans to his crew

Online bachelor’s in construction management typically take four years of full-time study to complete, but the time it will actually take for you to earn the bachelor’s degree will depend on your transferable credits, course load per semester, and breaks between terms.

If you’re a full-time student, you can earn a bachelor’s in construction management in four years; otherwise, a part-time course load can extend your time-to-completion to 5-6 years.

Bachelor’s degree programs in construction management typically feature extensive curriculum with at least 120 credits. While the curriculum for online bachelor’s in construction management vary, these are the main parts of a construction management program:

General education courses include courses in mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and English composition.
Core construction management courses cover topics in construction materials and methods, construction contracts and law, construction safety, and construction project controls, among other fundamental aspects of construction management.
Technical courses include building codes and standards, mechanical and electrical systems, and soil mechanics and foundations.
Management and business courses build the student’s business management skills and include topics in construction accounting, human resources management, and financial management
Elective courses expand the student’s knowledge in specific areas, such as green building and sustainability, construction dispute resolution, and construction technology and innovation

Students who want to earn the online bachelor’s in construction management may also be required to complete either a capstone project requirement that demonstrates their mastery of the fundamentals or an internship in the construction industry.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the average cost of an online bachelor’s degree is $51,091 for the entire duration. But the average cost differs for in-state and out-of-state students—$38,496 and $54,183 respectively—and for public and private institutions.

But the cost of attendance in online bachelor’s in construction management can be reduced via financial assistance. Most online programs offered by accredited institutions offer the same financial aid benefits for on-campus and online students including:

Federal student aid
State aid
Institutional and external scholarships
Employer tuition assistance
Military and veteran benefits
Private loans

In terms of whether an online bachelor’s in construction management is worth it, we must say that it is! Many successful construction industry professionals possess the bachelor’s degree that, when combined with their extensive work experiences, makes them competitive for leadership positions.

construction manager looks over a building site

The U.S. construction industry employs approximately 7.8 million people and construction spending has an estimated $1.823 trillion spending (January 2023). Indeed, such is the coverage of the construction industry that it employs 2.9% of the total workforce and accounts for about 4.3% of the gross domestic product! The bottom line: Your bachelor’s in construction management will be put to good use.

Construction managers are the most popular occupations because of the seamless transition from classroom to workplace. Plus, construction managers earn $98,890 in median annual wage.

Other popular construction management positions include:

Construction superintendents
Estimators
Construction consultants
Building inspectors
Facility managers
Construction safety managers
Construction cost analysts
Construction schedulers and planners
Real estate developers
Building Information Modeling specialists
Construction materials sales representatives

These are just a few examples of where online construction management degrees can take graduates! Be sure to seek employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in other sectors, too, such as in renewable energy.

Look into these organizations and take advantage of their networking and professional development opportunities:

American Society of Professional Estimators
Associated General Contractors of America
National Association of Home Builders
National Society of Professional Engineers
Society of American Military Engineers
Design-Build Institute of America

Consider pursuing a master’s degree in construction management or a related discipline. You can also earn professional certifications, such as Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Project Management Professional or PMP and Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design or LEED.

You may also want to consider continuous learning opportunities through online courses and workshops, industry seminars and conferences, and even mentorship opportunities.

How do we determine the best online construction management bachelor's degree programs?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

construction manager holding a set of building plans

Best Online Master’s in Construction Management Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Management Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Operations Management And Supervision

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,810
Avg. Expenses*: $16,314
Avg. Starting Salary*: $46,283
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $55,330
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 10 years
Job Growth: 7.87%
Number of Jobs: 3,142,200
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Chief Executives	5.48%	$206,680
Computer and Information Systems Managers	17.42%	$169,510
Compensation and Benefits Managers	2.09%	$136,380
Purchasing Managers	5.04%	$136,380
Human Resources Managers	6.51%	$136,350
Sales Managers	5.87%	$135,160
Managers, All Other	5.75%	$133,560
Training and Development Managers	7.41%	$125,040
Fundraising Managers	6.02%	$119,200
Industrial Production Managers	2.87%	$116,970

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Chief Executives	$206,680
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$169,510
Compensation and Benefits Managers	$136,380
Purchasing Managers	$136,380
Human Resources Managers	$136,350
Sales Managers	$135,160
Managers, All Other	$133,560
Training and Development Managers	$125,040
Fundraising Managers	$119,200
Industrial Production Managers	$116,970

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Not sure if an online degree in construction is the right fit for you? Check out our rankings of online degrees in ESL, architecture, or quality assurance!

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Online Bachelor’s in Construction Management Degree Programs

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Management Degrees

Why get a bachelor’s in construction management?

What are the differences between a traditional or online Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Construction Management degrees?

What are the admission requirements for online bachelor’s in construction management degree programs?

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s in construction management?

When getting a bachelor’s in construction management, what courses are offered?

How much does an online bachelor’s in construction management cost?

What are the career paths for individuals with an online bachelor’s in construction management?

What are the professional organizations in the construction management industry?

What’s next after earning your bachelor’s degree in construction management?

Best Online Master’s in Construction Management Degree Programs

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Career Outlook for Students with Management Degree

Operations Management And Supervision

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Career Salaries

Top Industries

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier than campus-based college?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+

Will I be able to transfer my online college degree?+

Will employers respect my online degree?+

What are the disadvantages of online classes?+

What are the advantages of online classes?+

Resources for Online College-Bound Students