by our College Data Analytics Team
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for construction trades students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the construction trades degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in construction trades, no school beat Hutchinson Community College this year. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $18,148. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $42,285. Set against $18,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Fort Scott Community College, which ranked #2. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $40,041. That is a strong return on a $12,990 median debt.
Salina Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #3 spot this year. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. In-state tuition and fees average $7,128. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $17,124. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $38,440. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pratt Community College earned it the #4 place for construction trades. Located in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $4,936. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $5,500. 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.
Garden City Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #5 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $4,320. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $11,084. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $35,476. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Neosho County Community College landed the #6 spot for construction trades value this year. Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chanute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,704. Students borrow a median of $13,209 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $44,672. That is a strong return on a $13,209 median debt.
Manhattan Area Technical College landed the #7 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,844. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,499. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Manhattan Area Technical College generally make around $50,897. That is a strong return on a $15,499 median debt.
Wichita Area Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,237. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Kansas Technical College came in at #9 for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Goodland, Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public institution. Construction Trades graduates of Northwest Kansas Technical College earn a median of $41,638 early in their careers.
Washburn Institute Of Technology landed the #10 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,880. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Washburn Institute Of Technology generally make around $37,254. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnson County Community College placed #11 among the best values for construction trades. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $13,532 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $46,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,532 median debt.
Kansas City Kansas Community College landed the #12 spot for construction trades value this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,996 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $13,129. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College generally make around $42,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Flint Hills Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Flint Hills Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,944. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,690. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $47,694. That is a strong return on a $14,690 median debt.
Butler Community College came in at #14 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $16,670. Construction Trades graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Kansas Technical College earned the #15 position for value in construction trades this year. North Central Kansas Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Beloit. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350. Median earnings reach $46,928 ten years out.
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.