Construction Management at University of Louisiana at Monroe

ULM's Construction Management graduates enter a field where they'll earn solidly from day one, with a first-year median of $71,915—putting them ahead of 60% of Louisiana programs in the same field, including Louisiana State University's $66,934. While the program sits just below the national median, that state-level advantage matters if your child plans to work in Louisiana, where construction markets are booming.

The real strength here is the debt picture: graduates leave with just $18,901 in loans, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26. That means students can pay off their debt in roughly three months of gross salary—significantly better than the $24,750 national median for construction management programs. This low debt load is exceptional (5th percentile nationally), giving graduates immediate financial flexibility whether they want to save for a home, start a business, or pursue certifications.

For a family looking at in-state tuition at an accessible school (75% admission rate), this program delivers what matters most: immediate earning power with minimal debt burden. Construction management doesn't require an elite pedigree, and ULM gets students into the workforce ready to earn without the financial albatross that hampers many graduates.