Construction estimator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a construction estimator. Construction estimators usually study business, civil engineering, or construction management. 65% of construction estimators hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 980 real construction estimator resumes to see exactly what construction estimator education sections show.

The most common colleges for construction estimators are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online construction estimator courses to help get the education required to be a construction estimator.

There are certain construction estimator certifications that you should consider. These construction estimator certifications include Certified Construction Manager (CCM) and OSHA Safety Certificate .

What education do you need to become a construction estimator?

What degree do you need to be a construction estimator?

The most common degree for construction estimators is bachelor's degree, with 65% of construction estimators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 19% and associate degree degree at 7%.

Bachelor's, 65%

Associate, 19%

Master's, 7%

High School Diploma, 4%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a construction estimator?

You should major in business to become a construction estimator. 18% of construction estimators major in business. Other common majors for a construction estimator include civil engineering and construction management.

Business, 18%

Civil Engineering, 16%

Construction Management, 14%

Architecture, 8%

Other Majors, 44%

Most common colleges for construction estimators

Construction estimators often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Pennsylvania State University, and University of Florida. Here are the most common colleges for construction estimators in the US based on their resumes.

Construction estimator common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	9.89%
Pennsylvania State University	7.69%
University of Florida	6.59%
National University	6.59%
Texas A&M University	6.59%

Show more common construction estimator colleges

Best majors for construction estimators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	18.4%
2	Civil Engineering	16.5%
3	Construction Management	14.3%
4	Architecture	8.0%
5	Drafting And Design	5.6%

Show more common construction estimator majors

Best colleges for construction estimators

The best colleges for construction estimators are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

A construction estimator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for construction estimators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become construction estimators.

1. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

2. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

9. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,226

Enrollment

31,568

10. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$17,653

Enrollment

16,405

20 best online courses for construction estimators

Advertising disclosure

1. Construction Management

The Construction Management specialization is curated for professionals in the construction and civil engineering industry looking to advance their careers. Through this specialization, students will gain comprehensive industry knowledge along with the latest trends and development within the industry. This 5-course specialization will cover the major facets of construction management including project initiation and planning, scheduling techniques and procedures, cost estimating and control,...

2. Construction Cost Estimating and Management

4.6

(642)

Learn the tools used by construction management professionals to ensure their projects finish under budget...

3. Quantity Surveying Building Estimation BBS with Excel & CAD

4.4

(1,052)

Quantity Surveying, Construction Estimation ,Quantity survey ,Cost Estimation ,Civil engineering, Building Estimation...

4. Projects Cost Management, Estimating, Budgeting and Control.

4.1

(1,381)

Learn how to estimate costs for any project, how to determine budget and how to use Earned Value Management tools. 3 PDU...

5. Construction Project Scheduling

4.5

(346)

Learn the tools and techniques used by construction management professionals to ensure projects finish on time...

6. Learn Estimating & Cost Control

(345)

Develop a good practical understanding of best practice estimating and cost control on building & construction Projects...

7. Learn Xactimate in less than 4 hours

4.3

(582)

Introduction to Xactimate - Cost Estimation Software for Construction Project...

8. Quantity Surveying Building Estimation,Cad Excel & Planswift

4.4

(2,658)

Quantity Surveying, Quantity Takeoff, BBS In Excel ,Complete Project In Autocad, Project Planning With Primavera P6...

9. HVAC Ductwork Quantity Take off for Quantity Surveyors

4.4

(284)

HVAC, Duct, Take off, Estimation, Quantity Surveying, Length, Area, Weight, SMACNA, POMI, AUTOCAD, Excel, Template, MEP...

10. Mastering Construction/Project Management

4.2

(659)

Mastering Construction-Project Management in less than 10 Hours...

11. Project Management: Cost & Schedule Monitoring using EVM

4.3

(1,114)

Earned Value Management, Project Management, Cost Control & Monitor, Budget, Schedule & Cost Variance, Performance Index...

12. Quantity Surveying With Rate Analysis And Take Off-Beginners

4.2

(340)

Quantity Surveying, Quantity Takeoff, Estimation, Rate Analysis, Blubeam Revu, Planswift, Costing, Construction Drawings...

13. Quantity Surveying Templates for Effective Cost Management

4.5

(345)

Quantity Surveying, Payment Application, Payment Tracker, Variation, Claim, Material Claim, Guarantees, Price Comparison...

14. Diploma in Basics of Civil Engineering for Construction

4.3

(294)

Practical Course to Gain Quick Knowledge in Civil Engineering & Get Entry Level Jobs in Construction as Freshers...

15. IT Project Budget & Cost Management

4.4

(290)

Project Management tips to manage a million dollar IT Project budget from start to finish...

16. Construction Methodology Basics in Civil Engineering

4.5

(1,001)

New Home Construction & Building construction along with Home Repair ,Estimation & Plumbing With Video Step By Step...

17. Construction Procurement Management

4.5

(300)

A course on procurement designed for engineers new to the infrastructure/construction industry...

18. The Complete Guide to Construction Management

4.2

(692)

The Most Essential Course for EVERY Construction Project!...

19. Cost Reduction: Cut Costs and Maximise Profits

4.8

(656)

Cost cutting & cost reduction for a profit focused business...

20. Construction Claims Management - (9 PDUs)

4.3

(302)

Construction Claims Management ... Step-by-step from Definition to Submital...

Top 10 most affordable universities for construction estimators

The most affordable schools for construction estimators are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for construction estimators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for construction estimators.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

9. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for construction estimators

The hardest universities for construction estimators to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for construction estimators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for construction estimators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,545

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for construction estimators

The easiest schools for construction estimators to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, pennsylvania state university - fayette (the eberly campus), and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a construction estimator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for construction estimators.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)

Lemont Furnace, PA • Private

Admissions rate

80%

SAT average

1,067

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

5. Pennsylvania State University - Worthington Scranton

Dunmore, PA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

1,056

6. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

7. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

8. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

9. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

10. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

Average construction estimator salary by education level

Construction estimators with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $83,867 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, construction estimators earn a median annual income of $77,869 compared to $72,919 for construction estimators with an Associate degree.

Construction estimator education level	Construction estimator salary
Master's Degree	$83,867
High School Diploma or Less	$70,869
Bachelor's Degree	$77,869
Some College/ Associate Degree	$72,919

Construction estimator education FAQs

What is the best college for Construction Estimators?

Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.

Search for construction estimator jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse business and financial jobs