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DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Construction Trades)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Construction Trades)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Carpenter)" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Management - Construction Management" with relevance 0.8
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DEBUG: Checking offer "Construction Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Construction Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
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DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Construction Management (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
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2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction trades degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
For return on investment in construction trades, no school beat Marshalltown Community College this year. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $6,837. Construction Trades graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $43,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. 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.
North Iowa Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #3 spot this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Kirkwood Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,779. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Iowa Central Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $39,624. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Southwestern Community College Creston ranked #6 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned the #7 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,348 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $44,198. That is a strong return on a $14,348 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #8 for value in construction trades this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the construction trades program here. 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.
Iowa Lakes Community College landed the #9 spot for construction trades value this year. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,392, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $20,876. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $46,937. Set against $20,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #10 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $34,421. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
