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2026 Best Value General Construction Trades Schools in the The Plains States Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$12,846 Avg Student Debt
$39,439 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Construction Trades Badge [General Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/general-construction/construction-trades-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general construction trades students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Construction Trades Schools in the The Plains States Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general construction trades degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Construction Trades Schools

1

Ozarks Technical Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general construction trades schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the general construction trades program here. 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.

2

Iowa Western Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general construction trades schools. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general construction trades graduates is $15,153. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

A rank of #3 makes Linn State Technical College one of the best values for general construction trades. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,160, while out-of-state students pay about $14,610. General Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,042 in student loans. General Construction Trades graduates of Linn State Technical College earn a median of $45,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

A rank of #4 makes Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center one of the best values for general construction trades. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,322 to complete the general construction trades program here. Early-career general construction trades graduates make about $28,440. Set against $9,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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