Department of Civil Engineering and Construction • Peoria, IL • Campus • $43,718/Year (Full-Time, incl. fees)
Bradley University offers one construction management program: the Bachelor of Science in Construction (BSC), an ACCE-accredited, 120-hour degree in its Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology.
Program Pathways Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.S. | $174.9K | 4 years (8 semesters) | 120 |
Tuition estimates use Bradley’s 2026-27 full-time rate, which includes university fees, for eight semesters.
- Why choose it: Bradley’s BSC is ACCE-accredited through July 2031, requires the OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety course, and fits a Business Administration minor into its 120 hours without adding credits.
- Trade-off: As a private university, Bradley charges the same $43,718 a year to every student, plus a $50 per-hour engineering surcharge, and its internship is encouraged rather than required.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Credentials Offered | Bachelor of Science in Construction (BSC) |
| Format | Campus |
| Campus Location | Peoria |
| Credit Hours | 120 |
| Internship | Encouraged; 0-credit co-op/internship courses through the Smith Career Center |
| Programmatic Accreditation | ACCE (expires July 2031) |
| Industry Certifications | OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety required for graduation |
| Math | MTH 115 Brief Calculus (or MTH 121 Calculus I); physics |
| Graduate Option | 4+1 BSC/M.S. in Civil Engineering |
| Tuition | $43,718/year for 12-16 hours per semester (2026-27) |
Bachelor of Science in Construction
The estimated tuition for the Bachelor of Science in Construction at Bradley University is approximately $174,872 (four years at $43,718/year). The program can generally be completed in about 4 years (8 semesters).
The Construction major is offered by the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction. Bradley reported 68 students and 19 graduates in 2022-23.
B.S. Curriculum
- Math and science: MTH 115 Brief Calculus or MTH 121 Calculus I (4), Q M 262 Quantitative Analysis (3), and PHY 107 or PHY 110 (4)
- Engineering mechanics: C E 150 Statics, C E 270 Mechanics of Materials, and CON 320 Soil Mechanics (3)
- Business: ATG 157 accounting, BLW 342 business law, ECO 221 and 222, MIS 173, M L 350, and 6 hours of business management electives
- Management courses: CON 326 Estimating, CON 392 Scheduling, CON 388 Contract Administration, CON 492 Project Controls, and CON 372 Methods Improvements
- Technical courses: CON 206 Surveying, CON 224 CADD, CON 262 MEP Systems I, CON 270 Materials and Methods I, CON 342 Equipment, CON 470 Steel and Wood Structures, and CON 471 Concrete and Masonry
- Capstone: CON 493 Senior Project Planning and CON 498 Senior Project
- Electives: 6 hours of construction electives, such as CON 524 BIM, CON 452 Green Construction/LEED, and CON 494 Construction Practice, plus a 3-hour technical elective
The BSC leans technical: statics, mechanics of materials, soils, and two structures courses sit alongside estimating, scheduling, contracts, and project controls. The business block is large enough that Bradley says students can complete a Business Administration minor within the 120 hours. BIM and LEED are electives rather than required courses.
More curriculum details are available in Bradley’s catalog.
You Should Know
- Students must pass the OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Training Course to graduate.
- The calculus requirement can be met with Brief Calculus rather than Calculus I.
B.S. Internship and Field Experience
- Internships are strongly encouraged but not required.
- Co-op and internship work is recorded through 0-credit courses (EGT 210, 310, and 410) coordinated by Bradley’s Smith Career Center.
- CON 494 Construction Practice can count as a construction elective.
Because the internship courses carry no credit, field experience doesn’t shorten the degree or add tuition hours. Students who want an internship on their transcript need to find a placement and register it through the career center.
B.S. Admissions
- Standard Bradley undergraduate admission; no separate application to the major is described
- A 4+1 option leads to an M.S. in Civil Engineering, not a construction management master’s
Tuition
Bradley charges $43,718 per year in 2026-27 for full-time students taking 12 to 16 hours per semester. That figure includes $1,010 in annual university fees. Hours above 16 cost $1,005 each; part-time students pay $1,158 per hour (1 to 7 hours) or $1,311 per hour (7½ to 11 hours).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Full-time tuition and fees per year (12-16 hours/semester) | $43,718 |
| Per hour above 16 | $1,005 |
| College of Engineering surcharge | $50 per hour of its courses |
| B.S. (four years) | $174,872 |
See Bradley’s tuition page.
Be aware that:
- The College of Engineering and Technology adds $50 per semester hour on its courses, which isn’t in the $174,872 estimate; every 20 hours of CON and C E courses adds $1,000.
- Bradley charges one rate regardless of state residency.
- Housing, books, and the OSHA 30 course cost are not included.
The sticker price is about $175K before the engineering surcharge. Families should compare Bradley’s financial aid offer against the list price.
Why Choose This Construction Management Program?
Best suited for students who want an accredited, structures-heavy construction degree at a private university and can cover private tuition through aid or scholarships.
Business depth: The required accounting, business law, economics, and management courses mean a Business Administration minor fits within the degree, which helps graduates heading toward estimating, project management, or company ownership.
Public alternatives: Illinois State University’s ACCE-accredited B.S. costs about $65K for Illinois residents, and Eastern Illinois University’s B.S. about $59.7K at one rate for Illinois and non-Illinois residents.
Graduate path: The 4+1 option leads to an M.S. in Civil Engineering. Students who want a construction management master’s would need to look elsewhere.
Accreditation and Credentials
Bradley University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which supports credit transfer and federal financial aid eligibility.
The Bachelor of Science in Construction is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). ACCE’s 2025 annual report lists Bradley’s baccalaureate accreditation as expiring in July 2031.
The required OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety course gives graduates a recognized safety credential. Bradley doesn’t state that the degree substitutes for experience under any contractor license; Illinois has no statewide general contractor license, and local rules vary.