by our College Data Analytics Team
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Leading the list is Ogden Weber Technical College, our #1 best value for construction trades in Utah. Located in the city of Ogden, Ogden Weber Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $8,833 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Ogden Weber Technical College generally make around $57,750. Set against $8,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #2 place for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,855. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #3 place for construction trades. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $14,484 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $74,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bridgerland Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Logan, Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,000. Construction Trades graduates of Bridgerland Technical College earn a median of $28,884 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Davis Technical College earned it the #5 place for construction trades. Davis Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kaysville. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Davis Technical College generally make around $34,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Utah State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.