2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Far Western Region

1

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

Leading the list is College Of The Sequoias, our #1 best value for construction trades in the Far Western Region. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #3 place for construction trades. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Ventura College
Ventura, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ventura College earned it the #5 place for construction trades. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.

6

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Irvine Valley College landed the #6 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the construction trades program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

San Diego City College
San Diego, CA

San Diego City College placed #7 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College came in at #8 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College came in at #9 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the construction trades program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA

Imperial Valley College placed #10 among the best values for construction trades. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.

11

Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College came in at #11 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.

12

Bates Technical College
Tacoma, WA

Bates Technical College earned the #12 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.

13

Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, WA

Clover Park Technical College placed #13 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College placed #14 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Renton Technical College
Renton, WA

Renton Technical College earned the #15 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College came in at #16 for value in construction trades this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $8,978. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

17

Bellingham Technical College
Bellingham, WA

Bellingham Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,431, while out-of-state students pay about $5,809. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.

18

Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College placed #18 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,122. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Honolulu Community College
Honolulu, HI

Honolulu Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,174, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. 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.

20

Peninsula College
Port Angeles, WA

Peninsula College came in at #20 for value in construction trades this year. Peninsula College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Port Angeles. Students from in state pay about $4,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,270. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Peninsula College earn a median of $51,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Merced College
Merced, CA

Merced College earned the #21 position for value in construction trades this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,032. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

College Of The Redwoods
Eureka, CA

College Of The Redwoods ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of College Of The Redwoods earn a median of $98,703 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Spokane Community College
Spokane, WA

Spokane Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $5,383 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $66,921 early in their careers. Set against $5,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA

Cosumnes River College placed #24 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $5,500. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Seattle Community College Central Campus
Seattle, WA

Seattle Community College Central Campus landed the #25 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,699 median debt.