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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)
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2026 Best Value Construction Trades Schools in South Dakota
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 Mitchell Technical Institute this year. Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public school located in the town of Mitchell. Students from in state pay about $7,524 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for construction trades graduates is $10,683. Soon after graduation, construction trades degree recipients from Mitchell Technical Institute generally make around $46,736. Set against $10,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Western Dakota Technical Institute one of the best values for construction trades. Set in the city of Rapid City, Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Students borrow a median of $12,548 to complete the construction trades program here. Construction Trades graduates of Western Dakota Technical Institute earn a median of $41,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,548 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Area Technical Institute earned it the #3 place for construction trades. Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Watertown. Students from in state pay about $6,718 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 Lake Area Technical Institute generally make around $38,635. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in construction trades will find it at Southeast Technical Institute, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,650 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,442 to complete the construction trades program here. Early-career construction trades graduates make about $48,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
[Construction Trades](/majors/construction-trades/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
