by our College Data Analytics Team
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for construction trades students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Community College Of Aurora tops our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools in Colorado. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $38,587. Set against $15,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #2 place for construction trades. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Aims Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Students borrow a median of $11,199 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,909. That is a strong return on a $11,199 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pikes Peak Community College earned it the #4 place for construction trades. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $41,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Emily Griffith Technical College earned it the #5 place for construction trades. Emily Griffith Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Denver. Students borrow a median of $8,256 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Emily Griffith Technical College generally make around $42,412. Set against $8,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Lamar Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,550, while out-of-state students pay about $7,260. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,300 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Lamar Community College earn a median of $25,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pickens Technical College came in at #7 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Pickens Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,250 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Pickens Technical College generally make around $35,622. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Front Range Community College earned the #8 position for value in construction trades this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Students borrow a median of $17,384 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades 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.
Trinidad State Junior College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $3,588. Construction Trades graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $73,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $3,588 median debt.
Mesa State College came in at #10 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $5,500. Construction Trades graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $49,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Intellitec College Grand Junction came in at #11 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Intellitec College Grand Junction is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,767. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Intellitec College Grand Junction generally make around $26,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Intellitec College Colorado Springs landed the #12 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Intellitec College Colorado Springs is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $15,716 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $29,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln College Of Technology Denver earned the #13 position for value in construction trades this year. Lincoln College Of Technology Denver is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,386. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Lincoln College Of Technology Denver generally make around $39,207. That is a strong return on a $12,386 median debt.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.