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2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Wisconsin

1 Colleges in the United States
$12,370 Avg Student Debt
$43,969 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Construction Trades Badge [Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for construction trades students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Wisconsin

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

1

For return on investment in construction trades, no school beat Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,384. Construction Trades graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.

2

Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Gateway Technical College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,829. Construction Trades graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Waukesha County Technical College, which ranked #3. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Moraine Park Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $41,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #6 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,904, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $5,225. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $53,024. That is a strong return on a $5,225 median debt.

7

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #7 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $31,061 early in their careers. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Blackhawk Technical College landed the #8 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,747 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,803 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
Mid State Technical College crest
Mid State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Mid State Technical College placed #9 among the best values for construction trades. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,626 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Fox Valley Technical College landed the #10 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $79,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,319 median debt.

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11

Northcentral Technical College came in at #11 for value in construction trades this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.

12

Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #12 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $40,172. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Western Technical College La Cross came in at #13 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,669 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $43,008. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Madison Area Technical College placed #14 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 16 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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