2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Area the best value for a degree in construction trades in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $64,751. Set against $12,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson, KS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hutchinson Community College earned it the #2 place for construction trades. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $18,148. Construction Trades graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $42,285 early in their careers. Set against $18,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Central Community College, which ranked #3. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.

4

Fort Scott Community College
Fort Scott, KS

A rank of #4 makes Fort Scott Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,990 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $40,041 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,990 median debt.

5

Salina Area Technical College
Salina, KS

Salina Area Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,128. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff, NE

Western Nebraska Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $62,413. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.

7

Marshalltown Community College
Marshalltown, IA

Marshalltown Community College earned the #7 position for value in construction trades this year. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $6,837 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $43,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #8 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,866. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $62,177. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Pratt Community College
Pratt, KS

Pratt Community College came in at #9 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, compared with $4,936 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Pratt Community College earn a median of $57,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

10

Northeast Community College
Norfolk, NE

Northeast Community College landed the #10 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $41,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE

Southeast Community College Area earned the #11 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,935. Construction Trades graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Riverland Community College
Austin, MN

Riverland Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Austin. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $47,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City, IA

Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #13 for value in construction trades this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,886. Construction Trades graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,556 early in their careers. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Garden City Community College
Garden City, KS

Garden City Community College landed the #14 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,084. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $35,476. That is a strong return on a $11,084 median debt.

15

North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City, IA

North Iowa Area Community College placed #15 among the best values for construction trades. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.

16

Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA

Iowa Central Community College earned the #16 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $39,624. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.

17

Southwestern Community College Creston
Creston, IA

Southwestern Community College Creston ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,881. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

North Hennepin Community College
Brooklyn Park, MN

North Hennepin Community College placed #18 among the best values for construction trades. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $66,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College came in at #19 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.

20

Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College came in at #20 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.

21

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
Calmar, IA

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #21 among the best values for construction trades. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,348. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $44,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA

Hawkeye Community College came in at #22 for value in construction trades this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $44,602 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Bismarck State College
Bismarck, ND

Bismarck State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,666 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $52,959. That is a strong return on a $6,666 median debt.

24

Neosho County Community College
Chanute, KS

Neosho County Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,704 in tuition and fees. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,209 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $44,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

North Dakota State College Of Science
Wahpeton, ND

North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #25 spot for construction trades value this year. North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wahpeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $15,706 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $48,989. Set against $15,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.