BS in Construction Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

North Carolina State University Raleigh

Program Overview

The B.S. in Construction Engineering at North Carolina State University prepares students to plan, design, direct, and manage construction projects, combining engineering fundamentals with construction methods, project management, estimating, scheduling, safety, and contracting. It suits students who want to turn engineering designs into successfully delivered buildings and infrastructure while developing technical, communication, leadership, management, and professional skills.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students establish their mathematical, scientific, communication, and engineering foundation through MA 141 Calculus I, CH 101/CH 102 Chemistry – A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory, and E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving. They continue with MA 241 Calculus II, PY 205 Physics for Engineers and Scientists I, E 102 Engineering in the 21st Century, and EC 205 Fundamentals of Economics, giving them the quantitative and scientific preparation required for construction engineering.

Year 2: Students begin specialized construction and civil-engineering study with CE 214 Engineering Mechanics-Statics, CE 263 Introduction to Construction Engineering, and TDE 220 Civil Engineering Graphics, while CSC 111 Introduction to Computing and Data Science with AI – Python develops computational skills. The spring semester adds CE 225 Mechanics of Solids, CE 365 Construction Equipment and Methods, ST 370 Probability and Statistics for Engineers, and PY 208 Physics for Engineers and Scientists II, connecting engineering mechanics and data analysis with construction processes and equipment.

Year 3: The program moves deeper into construction planning and engineering through CE 301 Civil Engineering Surveying and Geomatics, CE 327 Reinforced Concrete Design, CE 282 Hydraulics, and CE 463 Construction Estimating, Planning, and Control. Students also study MSE 200 Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials, CE 332 Civil Engineering Materials, CE 342 Engineering Behavior of Soils and Foundations, and CE 367 Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings, building the technical knowledge needed to coordinate complex construction projects.

Year 4: Students bring their technical and management knowledge together through CE 466 Building Construction Engineering, CE 464 Legal Aspects of Contracting, and CE 469 Construction Engineering Project. The final year also develops business and professional capabilities through ACC 280 Survey of Financial and Managerial Accounting, Public Speaking or Communication for Engineering and Technology, management-science coursework, and an engineering elective such as CE 325 Structural Analysis I, CE 337 Smart Infrastructure Systems, or CE 426 Structural Steel Design.

Focus Areas: Construction planning and project delivery, cost estimating and scheduling, construction equipment and methods, building construction and systems, safety and quality, contracting and legal aspects, engineering materials, structural systems, project management, sustainability, and multidisciplinary construction leadership.

Learning Outcomes: Solve construction engineering problems; apply construction engineering and management principles; design and manage construction processes for safety, quality, durability, sustainability, schedule, and economic objectives; work effectively in multidisciplinary teams; consider societal and economic impacts; uphold professional and ethical responsibilities; pursue lifelong learning, licensure, and professional leadership.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): ABET-accredited — the NC State Construction Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. NC State states that graduation from an ABET-accredited program is the first step toward Professional Engineering licensure.

Reputation (Employability/Rankings): NC State College of Engineering is ranked No. 18 among public institutions and No. 32 overall in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. NC State does not publish a separate current U.S. News or QS ranking specifically for the B.S. in Construction Engineering; however, the university identifies its Construction Engineering program as ABET-accredited and its CCEE department as highly ranked among peer programs nationwide.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the B.S. in Construction Engineering at NC State gain practical experience through a hands-on curriculum that combines construction planning, estimating, scheduling, project delivery, engineering methods, and management. The program emphasizes team-based projects, modern engineering tools, laboratories, fieldwork, internships, co-ops, and industry-connected experiences, with students able to work in the Fitts-Woolard Hall environment and access specialized construction research facilities on Centennial Campus.

Practical opportunities and facilities include:

Senior design projects: CE 469 – Senior Design gives students a semester-long, real-world construction project in which they work from plans and specifications, create a construction company, estimate project costs, develop the complete schedule, and present their work to industry experts.
Estimating and planning: CE 463 – Construction Estimating and Planning provides direct experience with project cost estimation and scheduling, with students applying these skills to an actual previously constructed project as part of the senior-level project experience.
Internships and co-ops: NC State states that many CCEE students gain professional experience through cooperative education and internships, while the Construction Engineering research area highlights opportunities created by industry partnerships and Raleigh's major construction market.
Industry-connected projects: The Corporate Affiliates Program connects CCEE students with leading engineering firms through real-world projects, giving students exposure to professional engineering practice and industry expectations.
Constructed Facilities Laboratory: The 20,000-square-foot Constructed Facilities Laboratory (CFL) provides research and training opportunities for undergraduate students and supports large-scale testing of structural and geotechnical systems under different loading and environmental conditions.
Construction Materials Laboratory: Students and researchers can work with cement and concrete testing equipment, including equipment for slump, flow, air-content, unit-weight, durability, permeability, freeze-thaw, and nondestructive evaluation testing.
Large-scale construction research: The CFL includes dedicated Large Structural Systems, Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental, and Construction Materials laboratory areas, allowing construction-related research and testing beyond small-scale classroom models.
Construction Engineering Laboratory: NC State's construction research facilities include specialized equipment such as a robotic welder, supporting research into technologies that improve the sustainability and resilience of built infrastructure.
Emerging construction technologies: NC State's Construction Engineering research includes AI-powered visual analytics, digital twins, real-time visual data, robotics, and data-driven project delivery, exposing students to technologies shaping modern construction practice.
Research opportunities: Qualified undergraduates can pursue CE 499 – Undergraduate Research and participate in the department's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), working with faculty mentors on civil, construction, and environmental engineering research.
Fitts-Woolard Hall: The department is based in Fitts-Woolard Hall, a 225,000-square-foot engineering facility containing modern classrooms, flexible laboratories, and research spaces supporting construction engineering and management.
Student organizations and collaboration: CCEE has numerous affiliated student organizations where students collaborate on real-world engineering challenges and develop experience beyond the classroom.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the B.S. in Construction Engineering are prepared for careers that combine engineering principles with construction management, project delivery, safety, quality, scheduling, sustainability, and economic decision-making. NC State’s program specifically prepares graduates to solve construction engineering problems and manage construction processes, while its industry connections provide opportunities to move from classroom learning into internships, co-ops, and full-time employment.

Typical Job Roles: Construction Engineer, Project Engineer, Construction Manager, Field Engineer.

Career Development & Employment:

Career support: NC State’s Career Development Center provides career-path planning, resume and cover-letter reviews, mock interviews, career counseling, and access to employer recruiting opportunities. CCEE also runs Career Connections twice each year, with nearly 100 employers participating across the department’s two-day recruiting events.
Internships and co-ops: More than 80% of CCEE students complete a paid internship or co-op before graduation, providing direct professional experience before entering the workforce.
Salary: NC State reports an average starting salary of $67,947 for its May 2025 Construction Engineering bachelor’s degree recipients.
Graduate outcomes: CCEE reports that 90%+ of graduates are employed or pursuing graduate study, with the department noting that many graduates are hired directly by industry partners following their exposure to employers and professional projects.
Industry partnerships: The CCEE Corporate Affiliates Program connects students with more than 30 industry organizations, including DPR Construction, Brasfield & Gorrie, BMWC Constructors, Skanska, Lithko Contracting, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Turner-related industry organizations, HNTB, Kimley-Horn, and Wetherill Engineering. These partnerships support recruiting, networking, industry engagement, and opportunities to connect students with real-world engineering practice.
Industry exposure: CCEE’s corporate-affiliate relationships include opportunities for employers to engage with student groups, conduct information sessions and workshops, participate in recruiting events, and interact with students through the department’s professional ecosystem.
Long-term accreditation value: The Construction Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. This provides an externally evaluated quality framework for the engineering curriculum and supports the professional foundation expected of graduates entering engineering practice or pursuing further study.
Professional development: NC State’s Engineering Career Fair connects 4,000+ students with 300+ employers each semester, while CCEE’s specialized Career Connections events give construction, civil, and environmental engineering students a more targeted employer-recruiting environment.

Further Academic Progression: Qualified students can continue directly from the bachelor’s into NC State’s Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (ABM) program, allowing them to earn a master’s degree within approximately 2–3 semesters after completing the B.S. The department also provides an undergraduate research thesis option, CE 499 – Undergraduate Research, which can provide preparation for graduate-level research.