2026 Best Value General Construction Trades Schools

1

Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, VA

For return on investment in general construction trades, no school beat Wytheville Community College this year. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $9,542. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $40,973. That is a strong return on a $9,542 median debt.

2

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $12,838. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

3

Honolulu Community College
Honolulu, HI

Honolulu Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,174 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general construction trades program here. General Construction Trades graduates of Honolulu Community College earn a median of $86,741 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Triton College
River Grove, IL

A rank of #4 makes Triton College one of the best values for general construction trades. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the general construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Columbus Technical College
Columbus, GA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus Technical College earned it the #5 place for general construction trades. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,052 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $15,845. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Columbus Technical College generally make around $37,936. Set against $15,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #6 for value in general construction trades 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the general construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas
Helena, AR

Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas placed #7 among the best values for general construction trades. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of Helena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general construction trades program here. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $45,190. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, VA

Virginia Western Community College came in at #8 for value in general construction trades this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $36,245. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.

9

Arkansas Northeastern College
Blytheville, AR

Arkansas Northeastern College placed #9 among the best values for general construction trades. Set in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,570, while out-of-state students pay about $4,250. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $7,944 in student loans. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $47,773. Set against $7,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College came in at #10 for value in general construction trades this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the general construction trades program here. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Mt Hood Community College
Gresham, OR

Mt Hood Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Set in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $9,819. Students borrow a median of $18,767 to complete the general construction trades program here. General Construction Trades graduates of Mt Hood Community College earn a median of $53,948 early in their careers. Set against $18,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL

Southwestern Illinois College earned the #12 position for value in general construction trades this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Truckee Meadows Community College
Reno, NV

Truckee Meadows Community College earned the #13 position for value in general construction trades this year. Located in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,352, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the general construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. Set against $12,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

College Of The Ouachitas
Malvern, AR

College Of The Ouachitas placed #14 among the best values for general construction trades. Located in the town of Malvern, College Of The Ouachitas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,788, compared with $4,388 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,374 ten years after entry.

15

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $15,866. General Construction Trades graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Southwest Texas Junior College
Uvalde, TX

Southwest Texas Junior College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Located in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,646, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Students borrow a median of $7,157 to complete the general construction trades program here. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $25,528. That is a strong return on a $7,157 median debt.

17

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #17 for value in general construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville
Batesville, AR

University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville placed #18 among the best values for general construction trades. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public school located in the town of Batesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $4,662. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $9,265. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $64,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ

Arizona Western College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. General Construction Trades graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.

20

Portland Community College
Portland, OR

Portland Community College placed #20 among the best values for general construction trades. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Students borrow a median of $20,648 to complete the general construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Portland Community College generally make around $49,580. Set against $20,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Tulsa Technology Center
Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Technology Center came in at #21 for value in general construction trades this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $11,384. General Construction Trades graduates of Tulsa Technology Center earn a median of $32,406 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

North Arkansas College
Harrison, AR

North Arkansas College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general construction trades schools. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $5,592. Students borrow a median of $10,645 to complete the general construction trades program here. General Construction Trades graduates of North Arkansas College earn a median of $38,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,645 median debt.

23

Lamar Community College
Lamar, CO

Lamar Community College landed the #23 spot for general construction trades value this year. Lamar Community College is a small public school located in the town of Lamar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,550, compared with $7,260 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $9,300. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $25,669. Set against $9,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Trinidad State Junior College
Trinidad, CO

Trinidad State Junior College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,502 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general construction trades degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College generally make around $53,086. That is a strong return on a $10,502 median debt.

25

Front Range Community College
Westminster, CO

Front Range Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $17,384. General Construction Trades graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Set against $17,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.