Northern Michigan University has the 17th best construction management program in the nation among four-year schools, according to 2016-17 rankings released by AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org.

NMU offers a bachelor’s degree in construction management. The program prepares students to be competent in coordinating all phases of building construction, from estimating, scheduling and writing contracts to purchasing materials and working with subcontractors and material suppliers to ensure the job gets done on time and within budget. Graduates may begin as project engineers, field engineers, estimators, assistant project managers or superintendents. Most students have secured internships with companies while at NMU and offers of full-time employment upon graduation.

"The demand for qualified construction professionals is on the rise around the country," said NMU construction management professor Heidi Blanck. "Industry constituents consistently compliment graduates of NMU’s construction management program as being highly motivated and prepared to enter the workforce with an excellent work ethic.  Students state that the quality of education coupled with the personal relationships built within the program and in the industry are their biggest attraction to the construction management program at NMU."

According to a press release, more than a dozen different school-specific metrics, from graduation rates to student-teacher ratios, are weighed against one another to determine which schools provide the best overall training. Colleges must also meet a handful of standard guidelines to qualify for the AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org list, including status as an accredited public or private not-for-profit entity. Each must also offer students career placement assistance or services.

To see the full list of the top programs, click here.