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2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Virginia

1 Colleges in the United States
$12,251 Avg Student Debt
$37,506 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Construction Trades Badge [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 22 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 Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Construction Trades Schools

1

Wytheville Community College earned the #1 spot for value among construction trades schools in Virginia. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $40,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Virginia Highlands Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $7,490 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $36,340. Set against $7,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Virginia Community College earned it the #3 place for construction trades. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,384 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. Set against $10,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

John Tyler Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Virginia Western Community College, which ranked #5. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $13,715. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $34,439. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

New River Community College placed #6 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,417. Students borrow a median of $13,132 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $46,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,132 median debt.

7

Paul D Camp Community College placed #7 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,012 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,450. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,074 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Paul D Camp Community College earn a median of $40,070 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Dabney S Lancaster Community College came in at #8 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,293.

9

Danville Community College placed #9 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,494. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $62,468. That is a strong return on a $9,494 median debt.

10

Tidewater Community College placed #10 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,574. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $36,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Northern Virginia Community College earned the #11 position for value in construction trades this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,413. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.

12

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $12,084 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,768 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $40,020. Set against $11,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Tidewater Tech Trades ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Tech Trades is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,337. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Tidewater Tech Trades earn a median of $35,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

14

Centura College Norfolk came in at #14 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Centura College Norfolk is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,637. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Centura College Norfolk generally make around $20,928. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,877. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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