BS in Construction Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Nebraska Lincoln

Program Overview

The BS in Construction Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a 4-year, on-campus program that combines engineering, construction, and management to prepare students for professional roles in the architecture-engineering-construction industry and progression toward professional engineering licensure. Students study civil and structural engineering, construction materials, project management, computer-assisted design, BIM, sustainability, estimating, scheduling, and construction operations while solving real-world construction problems.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students build their technical and construction foundation through CONE 101 – Introduction to the Construction Industry, CSCE 101 – Fundamentals of Computer Science, and MATH 106 – Calculus I, alongside General Chemistry and Physics. CNST 112 – Construction Communications and the freshman engineering seminar also begin developing the communication and professional skills needed for construction projects.

Second Year: The curriculum moves into engineering applications with CONE 221 – Geometric Control Systems, BSEN 206 – Engineering Economics, and MECH 223 – Engineering Statics, while Calculus III, Physics II, and Differential Equations strengthen students' analytical foundation. Students also take CNST 225 – Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM), gaining exposure to digital approaches for integrating design, documentation, and construction.

Third Year: Students develop deeper construction and structural expertise through CIVE 341 – Structural Analysis Fundamentals, CIVE 331 – Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering, and CIVE 371 – Materials of Construction. Courses including CNST 241 – Horizontal Construction and CONE 378 – Construction Estimating I connect engineering principles with construction methods, quantity take-offs, pricing, scheduling, and project delivery.

Fourth Year: The final year focuses on professional practice, project controls, safety, and integrated design through CIVE 441 – Steel Design I, CONE 476 – Project Budgets and Controls, and CONE 485 – Construction Planning, Scheduling, and Controls. Students finish with CONE 489 – Construction Engineering Capstone Course, a team-based integrated project that simulates actual construction enterprises and brings together the knowledge developed throughout the degree.

Focus areas: Civil and structural engineering, construction methods and equipment, project management, estimating and cost control, BIM and computer-assisted design, construction planning and scheduling, sustainability, safety, materials, geotechnical engineering, and professional practice.

Learning outcomes: Complex engineering problem solving, engineering design, effective communication, ethical and professional judgment, teamwork and leadership, experimentation and data analysis, and the ability to acquire and apply new engineering knowledge.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Construction Engineering B.S. program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Construction and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The program's educational objectives include preparing graduates to become licensed professional engineers and contribute to the architecture-engineering-construction industry.

Reputation (employability rankings): UNL's College of Engineering reports that 88% of its graduates secured employment or continued education within six months of graduation; for 2024–2025, the reported mean annual salary for Construction Engineering graduates was $72,600. The university's Durham School also hosts a career fair specifically connecting Architectural Engineering, Construction Engineering, Construction Management, and Civil Engineering students with industry employers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Construction Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln combines classroom learning with hands-on construction, engineering, surveying, materials, and project-management experiences. Students can work with construction materials and testing equipment, use industry-relevant technology, participate in internships and cooperative education, and apply their knowledge through design and construction projects.

Students gain practical experience through:

Construction laboratories: Students have access to facilities for hands-on study of construction materials, methods, and processes, supporting practical learning in areas such as concrete, asphalt, soils, and construction operations.
Construction equipment and technology: Students gain exposure to construction-related equipment and technologies used to understand site operations, surveying, materials testing, and construction processes.
Construction surveying: Practical surveying activities help students develop skills in site measurement, layout, and construction surveying, connecting engineering concepts with field applications.
Senior design and project work: Upper-level coursework provides opportunities to apply engineering and construction-management knowledge to realistic construction and design problems, requiring students to integrate technical and project-planning skills.
Internships and cooperative education: The program supports professional experience through internships and cooperative education, allowing students to gain experience with construction companies and engineering organizations before graduation.
Construction Industry Advisory Board: The program benefits from engagement with industry professionals through the Construction Industry Advisory Board, connecting students and faculty with the professional construction sector.
Peter Kiewit Institute: Construction engineering students benefit from the Peter Kiewit Institute, which houses engineering and construction-related academic and research activities and provides specialized learning environments.
Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Students are part of the Durham School, where construction engineering education is connected with architectural engineering and construction research, industry collaboration, and interdisciplinary learning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Construction Engineering prepares graduates for engineering and construction careers involving project delivery, field operations, estimating, scheduling, structural work, and construction management. University of Nebraska–Lincoln reports that 80% of students receive a job offer before graduation, while College of Engineering graduates overall had an 88% employment or continued-education rate within six months; the reported 2024–25 mean annual salary for Construction Engineering graduates was $72,600.

Typical job roles: Construction Engineer, Project Engineer, Field Engineer, Assistant Project Manager.

Career progression and opportunities include:

Career services: Engineering Career Services collects employment, salary, internship, co-op, and post-graduation information and supports students in evaluating employment opportunities.
Industry networking: The Durham School Career Fair typically attracts about 100 local and national employers, giving construction students opportunities to connect directly with companies recruiting for internships and jobs.
Internships and employers: Students have reported internships and roles with Kiewit, DPR Construction, Cheever Construction Company, Haselden Construction, Olsson Associates, Alfred Benesch and Company, and JE Dunn Construction.
Employment and salary: For 2024–25 undergraduate graduates, the College of Engineering reports a $72,600 mean annual salary for Construction Engineering; across the College, 88% secured employment or continued education within six months.
Professional licensure: The program emphasizes engineering, scientific, and technical preparation intended to prepare students for professional engineering licensure. Its ABET educational objectives include graduates becoming licensed professional engineers and contributing to the architecture-engineering-construction industry.
Long-term accreditation value: The Construction Engineering BS is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under its General Criteria and Program Criteria for Construction and Similarly Named Engineering Programs, providing an established quality framework for the engineering curriculum.
Graduation and career preparation: The Durham School reports that the majority of undergraduate students have an internship experience before graduation and a job offer upon graduation, supported by employer connections, career fairs, and the construction-industry environment in Lincoln and Omaha.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Construction Engineering, students can continue into graduate study such as the Master’s in Construction Management & Engineering or PhD in Construction Management & Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university also identifies related graduate pathways including Master’s in Community and Regional Planning, Master’s in Project Management, and construction management programs at other universities.