What can you do with a Construction Engineering degree?

First, some facts. Of the Construction Engineering graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 68 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 80%, Construction Engineering graduates have a much higher likelihood (+13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 80%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 11% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Construction Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Construction Engineering graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from New Jersey Institute of Technology with a Bachelor's Degree in Construction Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Project Engineer
Crisdel Group, Inc.
Jul 2012 - Jul 2015
As a Project Engineer at Crisdel Group, Inc., this role directly applies construction engineering principles, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor's degree in Construction Engineering.

Project Engineer II
Granite Construction
Jul 2015 - Apr 2017
The position of Project Engineer II at Granite Construction requires specific construction engineering skills and knowledge, which match the core qualifications of the Bachelor's degree.

Project Manager
Crisdel Group, Inc.
May 2017 - Aug 2019
As a Project Manager at Crisdel Group, Inc., this role utilizes advanced construction management and engineering knowledge, making it directly relevant to the degree in Construction Engineering.

Project Engineer
Granite Construction
Aug 2020 - Jan 2023
The role of Project Engineer at Granite Construction directly involves engineering task application and knowledge, aligning closely with the qualifications of the Bachelor's degree in Construction Engineering.

Project Manager
Granite Construction
Jan 2023 - Present
As a Project Manager at Granite Construction, this position necessitates extensive understanding and application of construction engineering principles, making it highly relevant to the individual's degree.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Construction Engineering degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When analyzing the diverse career paths of individuals who graduated with a degree in Construction Engineering, it’s clear that many have landed jobs that align closely with their educational background. The most common types of jobs among this group include Field Engineers, Project Engineers, and various roles in management positions such as Project Managers and Superintendents. These roles typically involve hands-on applications of the technical and management skills learned during their studies, and they have a strong connection to construction processes and project oversight, thereby validating the relevance of their degrees in practice.

However, the level of relevance to Construction Engineering varies across different positions. While many individuals have indeed secured roles where they utilize their technical knowledge and engineering principles daily, some positions diverge from the core competencies of the degree. For instance, roles in business development, safety management, or even entrepreneurship, while they may benefit from some skills acquired in Construction Engineering, often focus more on broader management practices rather than specific engineering applications. Additionally, a few graduates took paths completely unrelated to engineering, such as coaching or working in unrelated sectors like legal fields or service industries. This suggests that while a Construction Engineering degree provides a strong foundation for numerous engineering-related careers, the direct application of that knowledge hinges heavily on the specific role and industry in which an individual is employed.

In summary, most of the job functions filled by individuals with degrees in Construction Engineering do align with their educational training. However, there are notable exceptions where jobs diverge from pure construction engineering roles, highlighting a mix of relevance and application that graduates experience within their career journeys. Therefore, while the majority are in relevant positions, there’s a tangible recognition that not every role claimed by these graduates consistently utilizes the deep technical skills expected from their studies in Construction Engineering.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Construction Engineering graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Construction Engineering graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When we take a close look at the career trajectories of graduates with a degree in Construction Engineering, it's quite revealing. Most grads seem to kick off their journeys in relatively strong positions directly related to construction or project management. For instance, many of the recent graduates from universities like San Diego State University and Purdue have landed roles such as Field Engineers and Project Engineers right after graduation. This suggests that these programs are effectively preparing students to step into the workforce and tackle real-world challenges in the construction industry right off the bat.

Fast forward a few years, and it appears that many of these individuals have climbed the career ladder pretty well. Those who started as Field Engineers often transition into more advanced roles like Project Engineer II or even Superintendents, which is a significant progression. We see this trend across various universities and even internationally, where graduates are leveraging their education to secure roles that promote growth within the construction sector. However, not all paths are so linear. Some individuals have ventured into unrelated fields or have taken on roles that don’t fully utilize their construction talents, which could indicate a mix of choice and circumstances influencing their career paths.

Looking at the long-term picture, say about five to ten years down the line, many grads are not shying away from leadership positions. They often take on roles such as Project Managers or even Directors, signifying a healthy progression in their careers. However, there are some who have diverged significantly from core construction roles, like the individual who transitioned from a project manager into vice president at a consulting firm, and this showcases the versatility one might find in their education. In summary, while a good number of these graduates are indeed thriving in relevant fields, it’s clear that the path can vary widely. Whether by design or circumstance, the experiences in the industry highlight both success and challenges, showing that while a degree in Construction Engineering offers a solid foundation, the journey is uniquely personal for each individual.

How hard is a Construction Engineering degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your strengths and interests. You've got a mix of math, physics, and design, so if you enjoy those subjects, you might find it more manageable. It’s not necessarily harder than some other engineering degrees, but you will need to stay organized and dedicated because there’s a lot of technical information to absorb. Plus, there are typically hands-on projects that can be intense but also really rewarding. So, if you’re up for the challenge and interested in building things, you might actually find it pretty engaging!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Construction Engineering.

Do Construction Engineering graduates tend to make good money?

So, looking through these LinkedIn profiles, it seems like most of these Construction Engineering graduates are doing pretty well for themselves, especially considering they’re in a field that usually offers decent pay. Graduates from places like Purdue, Iowa State, and Texas A&M seem to have landed solid positions with a steady career trajectory. For instance, the Iowa State grad who moved up to Superintendent relatively quickly must be pulling in a sweet salary by now. On the flip side, some folks, like the owner of MCM Custom Tile, might be in a tougher spot if their business isn't booming. But generally, it's safe to say many of these graduates are likely earning good money, especially those climbing up the ranks in larger companies.

That said, the early-career roles like some of those from San Diego State University or even recent grads may not yet showcase high salaries, but with time and experience, they'll probably start cashing in more. It’s common for entry-level roles to start low, but as they gain experience, their earnings are likely to rise. Overall, the trajectory for these grads is promising, and if they play their cards right, they could be making some serious bank in just a few years!

What buzzwords do Construction Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Construction Engineering. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Construction Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Construction Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Construction Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Iowa State University 90 11