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Construction Management at Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $81,666/yr (12% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (133,100 openings/yr)

ROI 25.5x earnings multiple (8.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #3 of 56 Construction Management programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Construction Management graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$974K	$937K	$788K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	26.5x	25.5x	21.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.1x	8.8x	7.4x
Probability of Field Employment	82%	75%	54%
DegreeOutlook Score	86	85	82

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$36,768

Out-of-state: $107,084 (8.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,860

-60% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,120

3.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$103,530

27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $81,666 at Central Washington University come in 12% above the national median of $72,738 for Construction Management programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 25.5x 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 19% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $81,666 far exceeding the $24,120 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #3 of 56 nationally, this is a top-5% Construction Management program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $81,666 to $103,530 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Central Washington University

Central Washington University accepts 90% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 8,081 in Ellensburg, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Central Washington University →

Top Career Paths

Construction managers $106,980/yr

Project management specialists $100,750/yr

Business teachers, postsecondary $97,270/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Construction Management at Other Schools

Other Majors at Central Washington University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Construction Management at Central Washington University?

This program scores 85/100 — 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 $788,266 in decade earnings vs $974,130 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Central Washington University's Construction Management program stand out?

Ranked #3 of 56 programs nationally, Central Washington University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →