2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Brazosport College earned the #1 spot for value among construction trades schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $32,746. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #3. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Western Texas College
Snyder, TX

Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Western Texas College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $6,150 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.

5

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $20,150. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.

6

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College landed the #6 spot for construction trades value this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #7 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Trinity Valley Community College
Athens, TX

Trinity Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Central Arizona College
Coolidge, AZ

Central Arizona College placed #9 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,635. Construction Trades graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.

10

San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.

11

St Philips College
San Antonio, TX

St Philips College landed the #11 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,653. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.

12

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College placed #12 among the best values for construction trades. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $8,542. Construction Trades graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #13 spot for construction trades value this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

The University Of Texas At Brownsville
Brownsville, TX

The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #14 among the best values for construction trades. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Laredo Community College
Laredo, TX

Laredo Community College came in at #15 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District earned the #16 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,624. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $38,268. Set against $15,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus
Gallup, NM

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earned the #17 position for value in construction trades this year. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. Students from in state pay about $2,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus generally make around $35,132. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.

18

Central Texas College
Killeen, TX

Central Texas College placed #18 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.

19

Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College came in at #19 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.

20

Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City placed #20 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,779, with out-of-state students paying around $9,564. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $18,726. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,580. That is a strong return on a $18,726 median debt.

21

Houston Community College
Houston, TX

Houston Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $19,223. Construction Trades graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.

22

Western Technology Center
Burns Flat, OK

Western Technology Center came in at #22 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the rural area of Burns Flat, Western Technology Center is a small public institution. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $40,264.

23

Wes Watkins Technology Center
Wetumka, OK

Wes Watkins Technology Center placed #23 among the best values for construction trades. Wes Watkins Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Wetumka. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $33,421.

24

South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College came in at #24 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Meridian Technology Center
Stillwater, OK

Meridian Technology Center came in at #25 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Meridian Technology Center generally make around $61,765.