2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in North Carolina

1

Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, NC

For return on investment in construction trades, no school beat Wilkes Community College this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.

2

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Central Carolina Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #3 place for construction trades. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Durham Technical Community College
Durham, NC

A rank of #4 makes Durham Technical Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Cleveland Community College
Shelby, NC

Cleveland Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,131. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.

6

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #6 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Nash Community College
Rocky Mount, NC

Nash Community College earned the #7 position for value in construction trades this year. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Students borrow a median of $16,969 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $52,474. That is a strong return on a $16,969 median debt.

8

Rockingham Community College
Wentworth, NC

Rockingham Community College came in at #8 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $50,048. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

9

Sampson Community College
Clinton, NC

Sampson Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,596. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,929. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Haywood Community College
Clyde, NC

Haywood Community College landed the #10 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $35,767 early in their careers.

11

James Sprunt Community College
Kenansville, NC

James Sprunt Community College came in at #11 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $35,264. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Halifax Community College
Weldon, NC

Halifax Community College came in at #12 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,752 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates of Halifax Community College earn a median of $70,982 early in their careers.

13

Vance Granville Community College
Henderson, NC

Vance Granville Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $43,272 early in their careers. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, NC

Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #14 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,867 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $34,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Surry Community College
Dobson, NC

Surry Community College placed #15 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $47,188. That is a strong return on a $9,537 median debt.

16

Robeson Community College
Lumberton, NC

Robeson Community College placed #16 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $40,495 early in their careers. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Southwestern Community College Sylva
Sylva, NC

Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #17 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $36,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Mayland Community College
Spruce Pine, NC

Mayland Community College earned the #18 position for value in construction trades this year. Mayland Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Spruce Pine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,626, while out-of-state students pay about $8,770. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $17,144.

19

Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, NC

Cape Fear Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $39,937. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Richmond Community College
Hamlet, NC

Richmond Community College placed #21 among the best values for construction trades. Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hamlet. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,564. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $73,774. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC

Forsyth Technical Community College earned the #22 position for value in construction trades this year. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Isothermal Community College
Spindale, NC

Isothermal Community College placed #23 among the best values for construction trades. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,030, compared with $6,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $6,625. Construction Trades graduates of Isothermal Community College earn a median of $47,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC

Wake Technical Community College placed #24 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,784. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. That is a strong return on a $11,784 median debt.

25

Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC

Pitt Community College came in at #25 for value in construction trades this year. Pitt Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Winterville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,871, with out-of-state students paying around $13,087. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $19,741. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Pitt Community College generally make around $43,022. Set against $19,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.