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DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Construction Trades)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Construction Trades)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Carpenter)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Carpenter)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Home Remodeling & Repair)" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Management - Construction Management" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Management - Construction Management" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Construction Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Construction Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Construction Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Construction Management (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
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2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction trades degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
Our analysis ranked City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College the best value for a degree in construction trades in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #2 place for construction trades. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #3 spot this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $12,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #4 spot this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,994. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $6,974. Construction Trades graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $105,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Prairie State College earned the #6 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,663. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
Kaskaskia College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,875. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
John Wood Community College earned the #8 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,844 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of John Wood Community College earn a median of $45,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,844 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,388. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College placed #10 among the best values for construction trades. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,236. Construction Trades graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong construction trades education at a price that pays off.
