Masters in Construction Management in USA is usually a 1- 2 year postgraduate program available to candidates with a bachelor’s degree in construction management or similar discipline. The program is available as an MS (Masters in Science) or an MEng (Masters in Engineering) degree at top universities in USA. The cost of pursuing a master's in construction in USA can vary between 23,000 USD to 82,000 USD for a full program study.

  • The median annual salary of a construction management graduate in the USA is about 93,000 USD per annum.
  • Most universities require candidates to obtain 6 - 7 in IELTS, 60 - 100 in TOEFL (iBT), and 53 - 70 in PTE.
  • The demand for professionals with a master’s degree in construction management is expected to rise by 11% in the next 6 years.

Why study Masters in Construction Management in USA?

  • Attracting more than 1 million students from all over the globe, the USA higher education system is known to be leading in research and innovation investing about 464,324 million dollars.
  • As home to hundreds of prestigious institutions, 7 out of 10 top universities in the world are located in the States.
  • According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of construction managers is expected to grow by 10% from 2018-28 with about 46,200 new jobs available. This is 5% higher than total average of other occupations.
    • An added 46,200 jobs for construction managers are expected by 2028.
  • BLS states that more than 100 colleges offer construction science, construction engineering, and building science programs.
  • The upward mobility is above average and job satisfaction is quite high. This is because one can start their career with a basic bachelor's degree in the field and move a higher levels with experience or added education. Additionally, once you entered the field, you can work until your 60s.
  • The unemployment rate for construction management field in USA is as low as 1.8%

Masters in Construction Management in USA: Top Colleges

Tabulated below are some of the top-ranking universities in USA offering the program along with the details of the program duration and the cost of study.

QS World Rankings 2023 Name of institution Program Name Total Tuition Fees (in INR)
#22 Columbia University MS Construction Administration 69,08,509
#25 University of Michigan- Ann Arbor (U-M) M.Eng Construction Engineering and Management 52,51,527
#39 New York University (NYU) MS Construction Management 52,26,116
#52 Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) MS Architecture Engineering and Construction Management (AECM) 26,41,989
#134 University of Southern California (USC) Master of Construction Management 55,68,293
#=129 Purdue University MS in Construction Management Technology 24,76,866
#159 Michigan State University (MSU) MS in Construction Management 37,91,856
#219 Arizona State University (ASU) MS in Construction Management and Technology 38,74,628
#199 Vanderbilt University MEng Construction Management 52,58,450

Masters in Construction Management: Course Details

Masters in construction management curricula depend on the institution, however, you can expect your course to cover topics like materials, functioning, budgeting, scheduling, designing, etc. If you are interested in engineering and its related fields like architecture or building technologies, this course might just be the right choice for you. The program explores areas of civil engineering like transportation, structures, and geotechnical engineering. Though the exact syllabus of this course differs from one institution to another, here is a basic idea of the topics you can expect to cover.

Applied Statistics and Queuing Theory Scheduling and Control
Advanced Concrete Technology Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Structures
Modern Structural Materials And Systems Design Project Formulation and Appraisal
Construction Personnel Management Project Safety Management
Construction Equipment and Planning Shoring, Scaffolding and Formwork
Construction Project Management Advanced Construction Techniques
Contract Laws and Regulation Quantitative Techniques in Management

Students looking for masters in construction management is USA can also interest themselves in masters in civil engineering in USA. Though the program structures are varied, there are various career opportunities open to graduates of both programs.

Highlights

Duration 1- 2 years
Eligibility Bachelors in construction management or equivalent (architecture, civil engineering, construction technology, urban planning)
Course fee 17,31,566 INR to 61,73,411 INR
Average salary 56,45,200 INR
Job profile Building equipment contractors, Building contractors, Project managers, Project engineers, Production supervisors, Site managers, Estimators, Real estate management, or Operation manager
Type of recruiting organizations Large Development Companies, International Consulting Firms, Multinational Architectural Firms, Government Sector Organizations, Construction Firms

Masters in Construction Management in USA: Admissions

The admission cycle at universities in USA is usually open for the fall and spring semesters. International students are required to complete their online admission applications at least 6-12 months before the deadlines. Along with the form, the application package will include various other supporting documents.

Eligibility

For admissions in Masters in Construction Management in USA, international students are required to have a bachelor's degree in construction management. engineering, mathematics, science, or a related field of study. A GPA equivalent to 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 (B on grade scale and 85%) is usually required by the universities. However, this may vary according to the university. Other admission requirements include scores of the GRE exam and proof of English language proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, or other equivalent exams.

The table below shows the minimum required scores for English proficiency as well as the other additional requirements required for admissions in masters in construction management in USA.

Name of Institution Minimum TOEFL (iBT) Scores Minimum IELTS Scores Additional Requirements
Columbia University 100 7.0 GRE; 2-3 years industry experience
University of Michigan- Ann Arbor 84 6.5 GRE (Q)- 165 GRE (V)- 156
New York University 90 7.0 --
Carnegie Mellon University 100 7.0 GRE
University of Wisconsin-Madison 92 7.0 GRE
Purdue University 80 6.5 GRE
University of Southern California 100 -- Work experience(recommended); GRE/ GMAT
Michigan State University 80 -- GRE
Vanderbilt University 100 7.0 GRE
Arizona State University 80 6.5 GRE

Required Documents

The documents required as part of the admission package of Masters in Construction Management in USA are:

  • Completed online admission application form
  • Payment of non-refundable admission application fee
  • Evaluated academic transcripts from all educational institutions attended with their English translations
  • 2-3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume with details on the academic and professional background
  • Scores of standardized tests to study in USA
    • GRE scores
    • English proficiency scores
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Official financial documentation which proves availability of funds to cover at least one year of expenses in the USA
  • Copy of passport

Masters in Construction Management in USA Fees

The tuition fee is the largest chunk of the total cost which varies between 17,31,681 INR to 61,73,821 INR for full program. If budget is a constraint for you, we have a complete guide for educational loans to study in USA. Given below is an image comparing the cost of study or the tuition fees for the program.

Cost of Living in USA

The cost of living majorly includes accommodation fees, food, and meals, health insurance, etc. These charges differ depending on the type of student accommodation in USA, city, living standards, etc. The table below shows the estimated annual cost of living in USA.

Type of Expense Cost per year
Apartment rent 7,22,788 INR - 10,84,572 INR
Health insurance 1,50,635 INR
Travel 1,08,448 INR – 2,25,935 INR
Food cost and grocery 2,25,935 INR
Gas and electricity 1,50,635 INR
Entertainment 1,88,278 INR
Learning materials 1,80,748 INR

Also Check: Part-time Jobs in USA

Scholarships for Masters in Construction Management in USA

As home to more than a million foreign students, the USA offers to help national and foreign students fund their tuition fees academically through financial support. However, there are a limited number of international scholarships to study in USA that are available to graduate students.

Some graduate scholarships that international students can opt for to study masters in construction management in USA are:

Scholarship Details Amount
PEO International Peace Scholarship For Women Awarded to international women candidates 9,41,256 INR
Obama Foundation Scholars Program Awarded to candidates who have made a difference in the civil society or public sector Covers tuition fee, monthly living expenses, and cost of learning materials
Civil Society Leadership Award Demonstrate an excellent academic record Covers tuition fees, travel expenses, living expenses, and a monthly stipend.
Rotary Foundation Graduate Scholarship Program Low or average income country 22,59,015 INR
SoA Graduate Merit Scholarship Awarded by Carnegie Mellon Univerity Partial funding
Vanderbilt Tuition Scholarship Awarded to MEng Construction Management students at Vanderbilt University 50% of tuition fees

Other financial aid options for international students for graduate study include education loans that can be blended from private banks, etc. Students can also look for work-study options where they are eligible to work for 20 hours a week during the semesters. For more scholarships to study in USA, Click Here.

Masters in Construction Management in USA: Jobs & Salary

A masters in construction management can land you a job in fields like large development companies, international consulting firms, multinational architectural firms, government sector organizations, and construction firms. The US Bureau of Labour Statistics reports an 11% hike in demand for construction management professionals by the end of 2026. You can expect a 10% hike in pay every year.

Some of the top companies hiring construction management graduates in USA are:

We listed the common job opportunities in USA for masters in construction management graduates. The data is created with inputs from individuals with different levels of experience that include professionals who are from the owing standard: early career (43.6%), mid-career (22.5%), experienced (21.1%), late-career (6.6%), and entry-level (6%). Factors like location and experience affect your pay.

Job Designation Average Annual Salary (in USD) Job Designation Average Annual Salary (in USD)
Project Engineer 77,022 Project Manager, Construction 111,760
Assistant Project Manager, Construction 74,560 Senior Project Manager, Construction 115,540
Construction Estimator 74,560 Construction Manager 97,180
Construction Scheduler; 83,559 Real estate management 61,623

Also Check: High- Paying jobs in USA

As the largest economy in the world, the United States offers a plethora of career choices for any field of study. Masters in construction management qualifies one to work on all construction responsibilities and management. With the increase of constructions across the country, the demand for professionals who have the skills to work in this field is only going to shoot. Despite the high tuition cost to study in the USA, the pay range clearly suggests that the return on investment is satisfactory. With a high standard of living in the US, one can easily consider settling here post-graduation. All these factors make the USA an ideal location to pursue Masters in construction management.

FAQs

Ques. What are the top colleges for a master's in construction management in the USA?

Ans. Some of the top colleges for this discipline include Michigan State University, Vanderbilt University, Texas A&M University, Arizona State University, University of Oklahoma and University of Houston.

Ques. How long does it take to get a masters in construction management in USA?

Ans. Depending on the course and curriculum of your institution, masters in construction management could be a 1- 2 years to completion.

Ques. What is the eligibility of masters in construction management in USA?

Ans. Bachelors in construction management or equivalent (architecture, civil engineering, construction technology, urban planning) program from a recognized university. Most colleges require candidates to have a GPA of 2.5 - 3. GRE scores are also required by most of the universities. Non-native English speakers are also required proof of English language proficiency.  

Ques. How much does it cost to study masters in construction management in USA?

Ans. Tuition fee for universities offering masters in construction management varies between 23,000 USD to 82,000 USD.