Construction Managementat Western Illinois University
Graduates earn $70,789/yr in their first year — about 3.0% below the national Construction Management average. Base-case 10-year earnings $781K; scenarios range from $677K to $805K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Illinois University
Graduates earn $70,789/yr, roughly in line with the $72,738 national median for Construction Management. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Construction Management programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Construction Management's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $70,789 far exceeding the $24,656 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #27 of 56 Construction Management programs, Western Illinois University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $84,868 are relatively flat compared to the $70,789 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Western Illinois University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Construction Management
How Western Illinois University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Western Illinois University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Illinois University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Construction Management offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Construction Management trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Construction Management at Western Illinois University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Construction Management at Western Illinois University?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Construction Management nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Construction Management careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $677,414 in decade earnings vs $805,453 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.