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Finding the Best Value Construction School for You
Where you study construction affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Construction Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
Customize Your Rankings
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Construction Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
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2026 Best Value Construction Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Construction Schools
Wytheville Community College earned the #1 spot for value among construction schools in the United States. Set in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,542 to complete the construction program here. Construction graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $40,973 early in their careers. Set against $9,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in construction will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Construction graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career construction graduates make about $12,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Honolulu Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value construction schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,174 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $86,741. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Triton College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $12,994. Early-career construction graduates make about $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in construction will find it at Columbus Technical College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,052, with out-of-state students paying around $7,262. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $15,845. Construction graduates of Columbus Technical College earn a median of $37,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #6 for value in construction this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Construction graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Early-career construction graduates make about $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas placed #7 among the best values for construction. Located in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Construction graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career construction graduates make about $45,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Western Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value construction schools. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Construction graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Early-career construction graduates make about $36,245. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
Arkansas Northeastern College came in at #9 for value in construction this year. Located in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,570, while out-of-state students pay about $4,250. Students borrow a median of $7,944 to complete the construction program here. Early-career construction graduates make about $47,773. Set against $7,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College landed the #10 spot for construction value this year. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the construction program here. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Technology Center placed #21 among the best values for construction. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Construction graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Construction 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.
North Arkansas College earned the #22 position for value in construction this year. Set in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Students borrow a median of $10,645 to complete the construction program here. Construction graduates of North Arkansas College earn a median of $38,948 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar Community College landed the #23 spot for construction 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,260. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $9,300. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Lamar Community College generally make around $25,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinidad State Junior College placed #24 among the best values for construction. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. In-state tuition and fees average $4,608, while out-of-state students pay about $7,318. Typical student debt for construction graduates is $10,502. Soon after graduation, construction degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College generally make around $53,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College placed #25 among the best values for construction. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Students borrow a median of $17,384 to complete the construction program here. Construction graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,384 median debt.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Construction Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in construction:
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Narrow Construction Schools by Region
[Construction](/majors/construction-trades/general-construction/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong construction education at a price that pays off.
