2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in California

1

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

Our analysis ranked College Of The Sequoias the best value for a degree in construction trades in California. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,288. Construction Trades graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,234. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

San Diego City College
San Diego, CA

A rank of #4 makes San Diego City College one of the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the construction trades program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College landed the #7 spot for construction trades value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.

8

Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College landed the #8 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA

Imperial Valley College came in at #9 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $6,176. Construction Trades graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College earned the #10 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

11

Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College placed #11 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.

12

American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

14

Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College landed the #14 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

College Of The Redwoods
Eureka, CA

College Of The Redwoods came in at #15 for value in construction trades this year. College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Eureka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $8,852. 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.

16

Merced College
Merced, CA

Merced College placed #16 among the best values for construction trades. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Merced College earn a median of $45,032 early in their careers. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA

Cosumnes River College came in at #17 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

18

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College placed #18 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College landed the #19 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.

20

Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College came in at #20 for value in construction trades this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,595. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College Of San Francisco earned the #21 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College earned the #22 position for value in construction trades this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.

23

Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College earned the #23 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.

24

Cet Watsonville
Watsonville, CA

Cet Watsonville placed #24 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Watsonville, Cet Watsonville is a small private not-for-profit university. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $6,425. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $28,485. That is a strong return on a $6,425 median debt.

25

San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, CA

San Joaquin Delta College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.