DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/construction-trades/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/construction-trades/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/construction-trades/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/construction-trades/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/construction-trades/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/construction-trades/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/construction-trades/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 7
DEBUG: ROOT LEVEL MAJOR detected (no cip4), lowering min_relevance to 0.5
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.5, max_relevance = 1
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
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Carpenter)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Home Remodeling & Repair)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Home Remodeling & Repair)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Management - Construction Management" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Management - Construction Management" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
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)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Construction Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Construction Management (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 7
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 6 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 6
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0
2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in Nebraska
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in construction trades, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Construction Trades Schools
For return on investment in construction trades, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $12,350. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $64,751. That is a strong return on a $12,350 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Nebraska Community College earned it the #2 place for construction trades. Western Nebraska Community College is a small public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,507. Construction Trades graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Central Community College one of the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,277. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Southeast Community College Area one of the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $14,935. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $44,877. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value construction trades schools. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. 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.