2026 Best Value Electrician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Electrician](/majors/construction-trades/electrical-power-transmission-installers/electrician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value electrician schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Electrician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the electrician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Electrician Schools
Leading the list is City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College, our #1 best value for electrician in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Electrician graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alpena Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrician, landing the #2 spot this year. Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $6,500. Electrician graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in electrician will find it at Illinois Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the electrician program here. Early-career electrician graduates make about $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in electrician will find it at Lansing Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $16,700. Early-career electrician graduates make about $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value electrician schools. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $14,075. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $37,342. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #6 spot for electrician value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,262 to complete the electrician program here. Electrician graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $80,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,262 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #7 spot for electrician value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $12,525. Electrician graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College landed the #8 spot for electrician value this year. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,595, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the electrician program here. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $48,132. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
Prairie State College placed #9 among the best values for electrician. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $15,663. Early-career electrician graduates make about $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
Kaskaskia College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value electrician schools. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the electrician program here. Early-career electrician graduates make about $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Wood Community College earned the #11 position for value in electrician this year. Located in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Electrician graduates carry a median of $13,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from John Wood Community College generally make around $45,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #12 position for value in electrician this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the electrician program here. Early-career electrician graduates make about $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
Rock Valley College came in at #13 for value in electrician this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the electrician program here. Electrician graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson Community College landed the #14 spot for electrician value this year. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $16,960. Electrician graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College landed the #15 spot for electrician value this year. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $14,829. Electrician graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,829 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #16 spot for electrician value this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,595 to complete the electrician program here. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio Business College Dayton Driving Academy ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value electrician schools. Set in the suburb of Trotwood, Ohio Business College Dayton Driving Academy is a small private for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,389 ten years after entry.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #18 for value in electrician this year. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $5,500. Early-career electrician graduates make about $41,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value electrician schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $18,296. Early-career electrician graduates make about $38,325. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earned the #20 position for value in electrician this year. Set in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,904, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $5,225. Electrician graduates of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,225 median debt.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned the #21 position for value in electrician this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Electrician graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $31,061. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #22 spot for electrician value this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt for electrician graduates is $13,319. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid State Technical College earned the #23 position for value in electrician this year. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Students borrow a median of $11,626 to complete the electrician program here. Electrician graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #24 spot for electrician value this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the electrician program here. Electrician graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College came in at #25 for value in electrician this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Students borrow a median of $6,707 to complete the electrician program here. Soon after graduation, electrician degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $34,972. Set against $6,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Electrician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for electrician this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
