by our College Data Analytics Team
[Lineworker](/majors/construction-trades/electrical-power-transmission-installers/lineworker/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for lineworker students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in lineworker, balancing cost against outcomes.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among lineworker schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for lineworker graduates is $12,350. Early-career lineworker graduates make about $64,751. That is a strong return on a $12,350 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Marshalltown Community College one of the best values for lineworker. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for lineworker graduates is $6,837. Lineworker graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $43,768 early in their careers. Set against $6,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Nebraska Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in lineworker, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for lineworker graduates is $14,507. Lineworker graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in lineworker will find it at Ozarks Technical Community College, which ranked #4. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the lineworker program here. Early-career lineworker graduates make about $62,177. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeast Community College earned it the #5 place for lineworker. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Lineworker graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, lineworker degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $59,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Bismarck State College came in at #6 for value in lineworker this year. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,666 to complete the lineworker program here. Soon after graduation, lineworker degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $52,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #7 for value in lineworker this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Lineworker graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Early-career lineworker graduates make about $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dakota County Technical College landed the #8 spot for lineworker value this year. Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rosemount. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,679. Typical student debt for lineworker graduates is $11,974. Early-career lineworker graduates make about $58,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College earned the #9 position for value in lineworker this year. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for lineworker graduates is $8,939. Soon after graduation, lineworker degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $50,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College earned the #10 position for value in lineworker this year. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Typical student debt for lineworker graduates is $11,089. Soon after graduation, lineworker degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $49,615. Set against $11,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #11 spot for lineworker value this year. Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheldon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, compared with $7,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the lineworker program here. Soon after graduation, lineworker degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College generally make around $78,118. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Mitchell Technical Institute ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value lineworker schools. Set in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,524. Typical student debt for lineworker graduates is $8,750. Lineworker graduates of Mitchell Technical Institute earn a median of $55,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Linn State Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value lineworker schools. Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Linn. Students from in state pay about $8,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,610. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the lineworker program here. Lineworker graduates of Linn State Technical College earn a median of $54,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.