by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value construction trades schools.
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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 Riverland Community College this year. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,000. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $47,288. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Hennepin Community College earned it the #2 place for construction trades. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Century College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in construction trades, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $39,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $17,887 in student loans. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $40,030. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Ridgewater College earned the #6 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $15,556. Construction Trades graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $46,852 early in their careers. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $46,749. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dakota County Technical College landed the #8 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Students borrow a median of $11,974 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Dakota County Technical College generally make around $58,703. Set against $11,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College came in at #9 for value in construction trades this year. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $50,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #10 spot for construction trades value this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $11,089 in student loans. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $49,615. Set against $11,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,326 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $39,770. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anoka Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Set in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,267. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,850. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $43,686. Set against $12,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Technical College landed the #13 spot for construction trades value this year. Northwest Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Bemidji. In-state tuition and fees average $6,254. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $31,053 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Northwest Technical College earn a median of $44,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,053 median debt.
Rochester Community And Technical College landed the #14 spot for construction trades value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $20,291. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $61,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northland Community And Technical College earned the #15 position for value in construction trades this year. Set in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,289 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $41,802 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #16 among the best values for construction trades. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $45,368. Set against $14,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Superior College earned the #17 position for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $17,156. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $42,543. Set against $17,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center came in at #18 for value in construction trades this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center is a small private not-for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,322 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center earn a median of $28,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dunwoody College Of Technology earned the #19 position for value in construction trades this year. Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $27,477 in tuition and fees. Construction Trades graduates carry a median of $18,423 in student loans. Construction Trades graduates of Dunwoody College Of Technology earn a median of $47,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.