Here are ten great colleges to look into for studying construction management or science:



1. Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)- Purdue's Construction Management Technology program requires 800 hours of construction-related internship work as part of your graduation requirements, so you’ll gain valuable experience to be job-ready upon graduation. Related study-abroad opportunities include Ireland, China, England, and Australia.
2. Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) - Texas A&M's construction science program is the largest in the nation. “Our interdisciplinary approach brings people, products, and processes together to solve concrete problems.” A&M’s Constructionarium experience is a one-of-a-kind study abroad program where student groups plan, schedule, budget, manage and construct a scaled-down version of iconic buildings, bridges, dams, and civil engineering projects from all over the world.
3. Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA) - Virginia Tech’s Construction Engineering and Management students have the opportunity to participate in actual projects, collaborate with industry professionals, and gain insights from working construction sites. The program boasts 100% job placement for graduates.
4. University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK) - The University of Oklahoma’s Construction Science program is housed in the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture. OU Construction Science students have opportunities for internships and study abroad programs focused on architecture and construction, such as Architecture and Design in the Eternal City In Rome
5. Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA) - Drexel's construction management program includes co-op experiences over the course of five years, where students alternate between 6 months of full-time work and 6 months in the classroom, graduating with 18 months of full-time work experience. 
6. Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) - Arizona State offers a BS in Construction with six concentrations, including construction management and architecture. The program partners with 100 top construction companies for hands-on learning.
7. Michigan State University (Lansing, MI) - At Michigan State, Construction Management students complete two required internships prior to graduation to gain industry experience. The program focuses both on residential and commercial building.
8. The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) - Alabama's Construction Engineering program allows students “to combine their interests in construction and engineering in preparation for a rewarding career in the construction profession.”
9. Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH) - Bowling Green's Construction Management program teaches students key elements of architecture, business, technology and engineering. “Co-ops fuse classroom academics with practical job experience. You gain relevant skills, bulk up your resume, and develop a professional network.”
10. Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO) - Construction management majors at Colorado State gain hands-on experience through internships and participation in competition teams. Career fairs connect students with employers for internships and job opportunities.

To prepare for a construction science major, focus on taking advanced math and science courses like trigonometry and physics. If your school offers business or engineering electives, those might also be great to take. Consider volunteering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity to gain hands-on construction experience. You might also job shadow a construction manager or home builder to learn what the day-to-day work entails. Summer jobs at a construction company or home improvement store like Lowe’s can also give exposure to tools, materials, and processes. Getting involved with skilled trades programs at your high school is another great way to develop technical and problem-solving skills. 

With some background in the field before college, you’ll have a head start on understanding key concepts when you begin more advanced coursework.