Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection at Dunwoody College of Technology

Dunwoody's construction management program commands premium tuition for graduates who start strong but see their earnings slide over time. While first-year earnings of $59,074 beat the national median by $15,000, the same graduates earn about $52,775 four years out—a backward trajectory that's uncommon in skilled trades. Within Minnesota's small field of construction programs, this actually ranks below the state median of $60,736, landing in the 40th percentile. Rochester Community and Technical College graduates start higher and the gap likely widens.

The debt picture adds complexity. At $18,750, Dunwoody charges significantly more than the $11,433 national median for this degree, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 remains manageable by any standard. The troubling part is what happens after that strong start: by year four, graduates are earning $6,300 less than they did initially. This could reflect industry patterns, but it suggests graduates might be hitting a ceiling sooner than expected for a program that costs 64% more than the national norm.

If your child is set on construction management in Minnesota, compare carefully against Rochester's program—similar outcomes at likely lower cost. Dunwoody's premium makes more sense if its industry connections lead to career advancement that shows up after year four, but the available data doesn't confirm that yet.