by our College Data Analytics Team
[Construction Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/construction-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for construction management students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value construction management schools in the Great Lakes Region. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Construction Management graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career construction management graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in construction management will find it at John A Logan College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction management graduates is $10,479. Construction Management graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $40,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Construction Management graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career construction management graduates make about $73,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Parkland College one of the best values for construction management. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Typical student debt for construction management graduates is $10,168. Construction Management graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Indiana State University one of the best values for construction management. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for construction management graduates is $29,567. Soon after graduation, construction management degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $72,379. That is a strong return on a $29,567 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #6 for value in construction management this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the construction management program here. Early-career construction management graduates make about $43,603. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value construction management schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the construction management program here. Early-career construction management graduates make about $48,264. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Northern Michigan University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value construction management schools. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,656 to complete the construction management program here. Soon after graduation, construction management degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $75,226. Set against $23,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Western Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in construction management this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the construction management program here. Construction Management graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $70,789 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Michigan Technological University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value construction management schools. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Construction Management graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction management degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #11 for value in construction management this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Construction Management graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Construction Management graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $54,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Ball State University earned the #12 position for value in construction management this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Construction Management graduates carry a median of $25,769 in student loans. Construction Management graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $69,076 early in their careers. Set against $25,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #13 position for value in construction management this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for construction management graduates is $23,677. Construction Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $56,998 early in their careers. Set against $23,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #14 for value in construction management this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Construction Management graduates carry a median of $20,425 in student loans. Construction Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $72,779 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Eastern Michigan University placed #15 among the best values for construction management. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Construction Management graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Construction Management graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $71,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University placed #16 among the best values for construction management. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Construction Management graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career construction management graduates make about $70,672. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering landed the #17 spot for construction management value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete the construction management program here. Soon after graduation, construction management degree recipients from Milwaukee School Of Engineering generally make around $79,353. Set against $27,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Ohio Northern University placed #18 among the best values for construction management. Located in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the construction management program here. Construction Management graduates of Ohio Northern University earn a median of $64,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Ohio Northern University admits about 74% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.