2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Texas

1

Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Leading the list is Brazosport College, our #1 best value for construction trades in Texas. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Western Texas College
Snyder, TX

Western Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $8,691. 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.

3

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $20,150. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Trinity Valley Community College
Athens, TX

Trinity Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,323. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $32,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

St Philips College
San Antonio, TX

St Philips College placed #6 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College earned the #7 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.

8

Laredo Community College
Laredo, TX

Laredo Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $41,354. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

9

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College landed the #9 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

The University Of Texas At Brownsville
Brownsville, TX

The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned the #10 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,058. Construction Trades graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District came in at #11 for value in construction trades this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. 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. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $38,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Central Texas College
Killeen, TX

Central Texas College placed #12 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.

13

Houston Community College
Houston, TX

Houston Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.

14

South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $13,788. Construction Trades graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.

15

Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College landed the #15 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena, TX

San Jacinto Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Lamar Institute Of Technology
Beaumont, TX

Lamar Institute Of Technology landed the #17 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $50,068. Set against $14,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Galveston College
Galveston, TX

Galveston College earned the #18 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Galveston, Galveston College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,726, while out-of-state students pay about $6,176. Students borrow a median of $15,183 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Galveston College earn a median of $51,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Southwest Texas Junior College
Uvalde, TX

Southwest Texas Junior College landed the #19 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,646, while out-of-state students pay about $6,294. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $7,157 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $25,528. Set against $7,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Northeast Texas Community College
Mount Pleasant, TX

Northeast Texas Community College earned the #20 position for value in construction trades this year. Northeast Texas Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mount Pleasant. In-state tuition and fees average $2,980, compared with $5,620 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,089 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $37,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Collin County Community College District
McKinney, TX

Collin County Community College District placed #21 among the best values for construction trades. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX

Texas State Technical College came in at #22 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,212 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,812. Students borrow a median of $9,923 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $66,521. That is a strong return on a $9,923 median debt.

23

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System placed #23 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #24 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $21,700. Construction Trades graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $71,202 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

25

Southern Careers Institute Brownsville
Brownsville, TX

Southern Careers Institute Brownsville placed #25 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the city of Brownsville, Southern Careers Institute Brownsville is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $7,125. Construction Trades graduates of Southern Careers Institute Brownsville earn a median of $25,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.